When separation is high-conflict, it’s often not the “big” decisions that keep families stuck. It’s the everyday implementation: changeovers, routines, communication breakdowns, school events, activities, travel, expenses, and misunderstandings about what the orders or parenting plan actually mean.
Parenting Coordination (PC) is a structured, child-centred process that helps separated parents implement their parenting orders or agreements, manage conflict, and resolve day-to-day disputes without constantly returning to lawyers or court.
What is Parenting Coordination?
Parenting Coordination is designed for parents who already have parenting orders or a parenting agreement in place, but are finding the day-to-day co-parenting reality difficult to manage. A Parenting Coordinator works with both parents to:
🌿 reduce conflict and escalation
🌿 improve communication and boundaries
🌿 clarify and support implementation of existing orders/agreements
🌿 resolve day-to-day disputes as they arise
🌿 keep parenting decisions child-focused
In simple terms: PC helps you move from “We keep arguing about everything” to “We have a workable system that protects the kids.”
Who does Parenting Coordination Help
Parenting Coordination is often a great fit when you:
🌿 have parenting orders/agreements but can’t consistently follow them
🌿 experience frequent conflict, repeated misunderstandings, or communication breakdown
🌿 are stuck in “return to court” cycles and want a calmer, faster pathway
🌿 need support making the parenting arrangement work in real life (not just on paper)
🌿 want to reduce the impact of conflict on your children
Benefits of Parenting Coordination
Families often choose Parenting Coordination because it’s:
🌿 child-focused (reduces children’s exposure to conflict)
🌿 practical and future-focused (less rehashing, more solutions)
🌿 responsive (addresses issues as they arise)
🌿 cost-effective over time (reduces repeated legal escalation)
Common Issues We Can Resolve
Day-to-day disputes (the ones that derail everything)
🌿 Changeover times, locations, and logistics
🌿 Communication rules and boundaries
🌿 Holidays, birthdays, special events
🌿 School communication and extracurricular activities
🌿 Travel, passports, consent forms
🌿 Phone/video contact
🌿 Routine changes and make-up time
🌿 Costs and practical arrangements linked to the parenting plan
PC focuses on practical solutions that reduce reactivity and create predictability for children.
How Parenting Coordination Works
Step 1 - Intake & suitability
We start with an intake process to assess suitability, safety, and readiness for Parenting Coordination, and to clarify goals and expectations.
Step 2 - Set the framework
We establish:
🌿 communication guidelines
🌿 response times and channels
🌿 the issues Parenting Coordination will cover
🌿 a shared focus on children’s needs and routines
Step 3 - Ongoing support and dispute resolution
Parenting Coordination may include a mix of:
🌿 psychoeducation/coaching
🌿 structured problem-solving
🌿 conflict management strategies
🌿 case coordination (as appropriate)
Step 4 - Practical outcomes you can implement
The goal is to build a workable co-parenting system that reduces conflict and helps you follow the arrangements consistently.
Book a consult to discuss your situation
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm, outside business hours and Saturday by appointment only
info@serenepathways.com.au
0473 865 838
In person and online services available