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The Role of the Parenting Coordinator |
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Researchers and practitioners like Mitchell Baris, Carla Garrity, and Janet Johnston, who work with families in high-conflict divorce situations, have developed the concept of the Parenting Coordinator. The Parenting Coordinator, who must be familiar with family law, conflict resolution, mediation, family therapy, and child development, is not a mediator or a therapist. Instead, this third party works within the confines of the Divorce Decree to settle disagreements between parents as they pertain to the children. The Parenting Coordinator may report regularly to the court. They can speak to the children's therapist and to the court. The therapist, however, is protected from litigation so that she can work with the children without being pressured or manipulated by either parent. The Parenting Coordinator can also be a facilitator between parents in high conflict. If one parent wants to send something to the children, he or she may send it to the Parenting Coordinator to make sure that the children receive it. The Parenting Coordinator may at times determine when the children are ready for increased visitation, which may have been shortened or curtailed because of the conflict. The Parenting Coordinator maps out a detailed parenting plan, which is agreed to by all parties. The more detailed the plan, the less room for conflict. |
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Some points covered in the parenting plan include: |
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1. Visitation plan: Sets a drop off and pick up time and place, designates a means for transporting children between households; institutes a set plan for handling a refusal to visit; decides who is responsible when children are sick. |
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2. Schedule change requests: A set protocol for trading days or making last-minute changes. |
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3. Phone calls: Should they be regulated? Should children be able to initiate phone calls in private at any time? |
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4. Toys and belongings: Provides guidelines for moving things between two households. |
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5. Boundaries or rules at other household: Neither parent can tell the other parent what rules to set; if abuse is suspected or concerns about parental judgment persist, the Parenting Coordinator must be contacted. |
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6. Pets: Establishes rules for moving them back and forth between homes with the children. |
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