In this conversation, Christina McGhee discusses the complexities of co-parenting, emphasizing the importance of keeping children at the center of the process. She shares insights on navigating high conflict situations, the role of professionals, and practical advice for parents. McGhee highlights the significance of developing guiding principles, understanding children's perspectives, and creating meaningful moments. She also addresses the necessity of self-care, setting boundaries, and the power of one parent to positively influence the co-parenting dynamic. The conversation concludes with encouraging words about hope and resilience in the face of challenges.

Resources Mentioned

• Christina's FREE 30-Page Co-Parenting Resource Guide – Packed with books for kids (by age), recommended reads for parents, tools for managing conflict, podcast suggestions, co-parenting apps, and more. Get the guide at DivorceAndChildren.com
• Christina's Guiding Principles GPT – An interactive tool that helps you clarify your values, create a personal guiding principle, and keep it top-of-mind during co-parenting challenges. https://divorceandchildren.com/northstar/
• Christin'a Book: Parenting Apart – Christina’s practical guide for raising resilient kids after separation or divorce. Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0425232123/
• SPLIT & SPLIT UP: The Teen Years – Documentary films that give a powerful, child’s-eye view of divorce and its long-term impact. https://www.splitfilm.org/

Follow Christina on Instagram and Facebook: @divorceandchildren

Follow Christina on LinkedIn: @christinamcghee

Christina's website for professionals – www.coparentingspecialist.com

Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/bFz169I3lus

Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

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Keywords

co-parenting, divorce, child-centered approach, communication, parenting advice, high conflict, guiding principles, support systems, children's perspectives, meaningful moments

Takeaways

• Keep kids at the center, not in the middle of divorce.
• Parents need to focus on what they can control.
• Develop guiding principles to navigate co-parenting.
• Children often feel responsible for their parents' conflicts.
• Creating meaningful moments is essential for children.
• Self-care is crucial for effective parenting.
• It's okay to not be perfect; own your mistakes.
• Parallel parenting can be a viable approach in high conflict situations.
• A strong support circle can help parents navigate challenges.
• Hope is essential; things can improve over time.

Sound Bites

• "Kids internalize a sense of fairness."
• "It takes one parent to show up."
• "Be that lighthouse for your kids."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Co-Parenting Challenges

02:59 Keeping Kids at the Center

05:29 Navigating High Conflict Situations

07:41 Developing Guiding Principles

10:18 Understanding Children's Perspectives

12:43 Creating Mean

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond

In this conversation, Elise Buie, a family law attorney, shares her insights on the emotional complexities of divorce and co-parenting. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, education on toxic behaviors, and the transformative potential of divorce. Elise discusses her personal journey through divorce, the role of AI in improving communication, and the necessity of building a supportive team for navigating family law. She advocates for emotional safety in co-parenting relationships and encourages seeking help during struggles, highlighting that it is normal to face challenges during such transitions.

Learn more about Elise Buie at: http://elisebuiefamilylaw.com/

Books that were mentioned in the episode:
Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
The Co-Parenting Handbook by Karen Bonnell
The Stepfamily Handbook by Karen Bonnell

Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/nwsZz16o8A4

Keywords

family law, divorce, co-parenting, emotional intelligence, toxic relationships, AI in parenting, support systems, emotional safety, personal growth, legal advice

Takeaways

• It's not about winning and losing in family law.
• Divorce can be a transformational experience.
• Understanding narcissism and gaslighting is crucial.
• Self-reflection is key to personal growth.
• Focusing on personal finances can empower individuals.
• AI can improve communication in co-parenting.
• Emotional intelligence is vital during divorce.
• Building a supportive team is essential for co-parents.
• Emotional safety should be prioritized in co-parenting.
• Struggling is normal; seeking help is important.

Sound Bites

• "Turn the mirror on yourself."
• "AI has changed the game."
• "We cannot talk about this enough."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

05:05 Transformational Power of Divorce

09:47 The Role of AI in Co-Parenting

15:31 The Dangers of Aggressive Legal Representation

20:14 Building a Supportive Team

24:41 Creative Solutions to Co-Parenting Challenges

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond

In this enlightening conversation, Heather Wolfe shares her extensive experience in social work and her insights into co-parenting with a narcissistic partner. She discusses the challenges faced by parents in high conflict situations, the importance of understanding narcissism, and practical strategies for managing these relationships. Heather emphasizes the need for documentation, building a support network, and self-care for non-narcissistic parents. The conversation also covers the nuances of parallel parenting and navigating the court system, providing listeners with valuable tools and hope for their situations.

Learn more about Heather Wolfe at: https://www.empoweringsh.com/

Check out Heather's book, Practical Co-Parenting With a Narcissist on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1069226807

Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/Np0AoDt7fjQ

Takeaways

• There's a lot of high conflict in co-parenting situations.
• Narcissism is often misunderstood and under-recognized.
• Documentation is crucial in high conflict cases.
• Self-care is essential for non-narcissistic parents.
• Parallel parenting can help reduce conflict.
• Narcissistic supply can come in various forms.
• It's important to have a good support network.
• Children need to learn about boundaries and healthy relationships.
• Extracurricular activities can help children cope with stress.
• Don't give up; there is hope for a better future.

Keywords

co-parenting, narcissism, high conflict, child custody, emotional abuse, support network, parallel parenting, self-care, documentation, family court

Sound Bites

• "Narcissism is a global issue."
• "This book will give you hope."
• "You can't control anyone."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Co-Parenting and Narcissism

01:53 Understanding Narcissism and Its Impact

02:51 Identifying Narcissistic Traits in Co-Parents

05:07 The Checklist for Recognizing Narcissism

06:39 Narcissistic Supply Explained

07:09 Strategies for Reducing Narcissistic Supply

14:28 Building a Support Network

16:52 Navigating Family Dynamics and Support

17:19 Understanding Parallel Parenting

18:11 The Court's Perspective on Parenting Styles

20:42 Documenting Evidence for Effective Co-Parenting

22:13 Recognizing the Impact on Children

23:37 The Importance of Self-Care for Co-Parents

23:50 Practical Self-Care Strategies

25:47 Myths About Co-Parenting with a Narcissist

26:33 Modeling Healthy Relationships for Children

27:17 What to Stop Doing Immediately

28:31 Grieving the Loss of Idealized Co-Parenting

29:51 Messages of Hope for Overwhelmed Parents

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond