As a Certified Parenting Coordinator in Birmingham, Alabama, my goal is to offer children of divorce an opportunity to grow up in a home free conflict. Listed below are some secondary goals that can occur with hiring me as your Parenting Coordinator.
3 things Parenting Coordination is:
A non-confidential, child-centered process for conflicted, divorcing parents.
A form of dispute resolution for high-conflict parents in which mediation would be ineffective.
Hybrid role performed by an impartial third party.
10 reasons Co-Parents should consider engaging a Parenting Coordinator:
1. Reduce legal fees
2. Eliminate wasted energy circular arguments
3. Spend less time in court
4. Reduce stress on your children
5. Enjoy quality time with your children
6. Model positive behaviors of courtesy, cooperation, and respect
7. Create opportunities for children to enjoy time with their entire family
8. Benefit from being in a therapeutic environment to discuss child-related issues
9. Spend time living life as opposed to litigating
10. Focus on building new relationships
Secondary Goals
Disengage from past marital conflict.
Set new boundaries.
Manage family conflict.
Identify effective family agreements.
Build cooperative behaviors.
Educate families on the negative impact of conflict.
Develop better communication skills and patterns.
Create a productive Parenting Plan.
A Parenting Coordinator CANNOT
Change the legal or physical custody of child/ren or offer a recommendation of custody.
Parenting Coordination Power Chart
(*) Assuming the Parenting Coordinator is a Counselor or Social Worker
The success in Parenting Coordination is in the “NOs”
No going to court.
No calling your attorney.
No litigating.
No calling the police.
No missing holidays and special occasions.
No fighting with your ex-spouse/partner.
No constant frustration and anger regarding co-parenting.
How does Parenting Coordination work with the courts?
Through education, mediation and case management, the family’s progress is monitored to ensure that parents fulfill their obligations to their child and comply with the recommendations of the court. With the agreement of the parties and/or the Court, the Parenting Coordinator may make temporary decisions, within the scope of the court order or appointment contract, to help high-conflict parents who have demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to make parenting decisions on their own. Parenting Coordinators assist parents in establishing and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship by reducing parental conflict and the risk factors that influence a child’s post-divorce adjustment. Because parenting coordinators have to document parental behaviors and compliance with court orders, parenting coordination is a non-confidential process. This is usually done through memos and, if necessary, by testimony to the Court. The Parenting Coordinator shares her concerns regarding each parent and makes recommendations regarding unresolved issues.
Other Services Sparrow Counseling Offers
At Sparrow Counseling we offer both in-person and online therapy in the state of Alabama. We specialize in marriage counseling, discernment counseling, reunification therapy, blended family counseling, divorce & family mediation, and co-parenting counseling. Let us aid you in healing broken relationship patterns that keep you from finding, creating, and keeping healthy relationships with partners, friends, and family. Learn more by checking out our FAQs and Blog!