Parenting coordination

A parenting coordinator is a neutral professional, often with a background in mental health, mediation, or family law, who helps high-conflict separated or divorced parents implement and comply with their parenting plan in a way that supports the child’s best interests.

Key roles of a parenting coordinator

• Assists with day-to-day parenting disputes such as schedules, exchanges, holidays, extracurricular activities, communication issues, and minor decision-making.
• Helps interpret and implement court orders or parenting plans when language is unclear or parents disagree.
• Coaches parents on effective co-parenting skills, communication, and conflict reduction.
• Ensures the focus remains on the child, helping parents understand how conflict impacts their child’s emotional well-being.
• Provides structure and accountability through clear guidelines and documentation.

Parenting coordination is not therapy

• A parenting coordinator does not provide therapy or treat mental health conditions.
• The focus is on practical, problem-solving, not emotional processing.
• Meetings with the parenting coordinator may occur with the parents together or separate.
• Parenting coordination is not confidential.

Parenting coordinator helps parents move from conflict to cooperation so children can experience more stability and consistency across households.