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We face the quiet fear many moms hold: will my child turn out like my ex. We explain why mimicry isn’t destiny, how processing experience shapes character, and how one steady adult can outweigh chaotic modeling, even in high-conflict homes.

• naming the hidden fear without shame
• modeling versus processing and why it matters
• the role of one steady, safe caregiver
• influence versus control in co-parenting
• tech boundaries that reduce triangulation
• mimicry, phases, and testing limits across ages
• development facts about narcissism and identity
• red flags that signal a child needs more support
• practical scripts, repair, and home culture

Podcast listeners can use the code POD10 for $10 off the Co-Parent Tech kit. Use code POD10. Leave us a review, share with a mama who needs to hear this

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

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We look at why “just ignore it” fails kids in high-conflict homes and show how brief, blame-free validation protects their trust and nervous system. We share practical scripts to name the hard thing, contain it, and co-regulate without fueling new fights.

• why silence teaches kids to doubt themselves
• difference between ignoring a co-parent and ignoring a child
• when non-engagement makes sense strategically
• the name it, contain it, regulate framework
• age-appropriate validation and simple scripts
• avoiding overexplaining while offering reassurance
• co-regulation tools for car rides and transitions
• applying the same approach to wider community stress

Join the Kids First Co-Parenting membership for kid-focused lessons, practical tools, and live group coaching. Learn more at the link in the show notes
Join the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for $19. The link is in the show notes below

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Ever watched your child’s face twist with confusion? Up at night worrying about gaslighting and how to protect your child from the exact dynamics you experienced?

 We’re tackling the quiet damage of gaslighting in high-conflict co-parenting and sharing the exact words you can use to steady your kid without badmouthing your ex or dragging them into the middle.

We start with validation on steroids. You’ll learn simple, easy to remember phrases that meet your child where they are, “I can see why that feels confusing,” “I’m glad you told me” and grounding strategies. 

Then you'll learn how to build the muscle that manipulation tries to weaken: a child’s trust in their own perception. Through open-ended prompts and gentle reality-checks, we show how to help kids hold two stories without losing their center, and why this skill protects them in friendships, school, and future relationships.

From there, we set clean boundaries that keep kids out of adult logistics and blame. You’ll hear how to avoid using your child as a messenger, when to share brief factual context about safety or court decisions, and how to correct misinformation without turning your kitchen into a courtroom.

For moms who want more, we point to our High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms concise, self-paced training with scripts, strategies, and a printable workbook so you always know what to say and how to say it. If this helped, tap follow, leave a quick review, and share it with a mom who could use a steadier week. 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

What happens when the already intense world of competitive youth sports collides with the complexities of co-parenting after divorce? Dr. Alec Baker, a psychologist specializing in both sports psychology and family dynamics, joins Dr. Royster to explore this challenging intersection where parental dreams, financial pressures, and children's wellbeing often compete for priority.

Drawing from his background as a former competitive athlete whose career was cut short by injuries, Dr. Baker offers a compassionate perspective on why youth sports environments can become pressure cookers for family stress. His doctoral research revealed a concerning connection – as the percentage of family income devoted to youth sports increases, marital satisfaction (particularly for women) tends to decrease. When divorce enters the picture, these financial and scheduling strains often intensify, creating new battlegrounds for already conflicted co-parents.

The conversation challenges several pervasive myths about youth athletic development. Contrary to the fear-driven narrative that children must specialize early or "miss their chance," Dr. Baker explains why multi-sport participation and physical literacy development until ages 12-14 creates stronger, more resilient athletes. This evidence-based approach not only benefits children's athletic trajectory but can significantly reduce family str

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

BestInterest Co-Parenting App: Join BestInterest App and get 22% off yearly subscriptions with code LITTLEHOUSE22 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Ever wondered if your child is being gaslit by their other parent? Manipulated into questioning their own reality? You're not alone, and you're not being paranoid.

Gaslighting - that subtle psychological manipulation where someone makes you question your own perceptions and memories - can be devastating for children caught in high-conflict co-parenting situations. When a child starts doubting what they saw, heard, or felt, it undermines their entire sense of security and trust.

In this deep dive, I explain exactly what gaslighting looks like when children are involved. From denying promises ("I never said I'd take you for ice cream") to rewriting family history or undermining your rules, these manipulative tactics create confusion and anxiety for kids. The damage runs deep because it erodes their internal compass - that essential ability to trust their own experiences and feelings.

But not every disagreement or difficult moment with your ex qualifies as gaslighting. I'll help you distinguish between genuine differences in parenting approaches and true manipulation, because labeling everything as "gaslighting" only dilutes its meaning and can make it harder to address the real problem.

This episode lays the foundation for understanding this complex issue, while a future episode will focus specifically on how to protect your child from gaslighting. Becaus

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

BestInterest Co-Parenting App: Join BestInterest App and get 22% off yearly subscriptions with code LITTLEHOUSE22 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send a text

Overwhelmed by the advice to "document everything" in your high-conflict co-parenting situation? You're not alone. In this practical episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster tackles the documentation dilemma head-on, offering clear strategies to transform that mountain of screenshots into a manageable, effective system.

Documentation serves three crucial purposes: creating an objective record of events for legal proceedings, helping you maintain emotional clarity, and most importantly, protecting your children from confusion and conflict. But without a proper system, documentation quickly becomes an overwhelming second job that many parents eventually abandon.

Dr. Royster walks through exactly what's worth documenting (and what isn't), sharing a simple question to ask yourself: "Would this matter to a mediator, judge, lawyer, or therapist?" While safety concerns and medical issues always warrant documentation, not everything deserves equal attention. By focusing your efforts strategically, you can build a documentation practice that's sustainable and effective.

The episode offers practical guidance on creating a system that works for your unique brain - whether that's using co-parenting apps, Google Drive folders, organized photo albums, physical binders, or journals. You'll learn the importance of documenting facts rather than feelings, and how proper organization can help y

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

BestInterest Co-Parenting App: Join BestInterest App and get 22% off yearly subscriptions with code LITTLEHOUSE22 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send a text

Show Notes: 

Dr. Karalynn Royster invites child psychologist Dr. Julianne Monday to explore the connection between anxious moms and anxious kids, discussing how parental regulation impacts children's emotional development. They share practical strategies for breaking generational patterns and creating emotionally safe homes while addressing the pervasive issue of mom guilt.

Key Points:
• Dr. Monday's journey from early childhood teacher to child psychologist focused on anxious moms and sensitive kids
• How parents under stress revert to patterns they experienced in their own childhoods
• The difference between mom guilt and mom shame and strategies for releasing both
• Why perfect parenting isn't the goal – repair after mistakes builds crucial resilience in children
• Importance of regulating your own nervous system through breath work and body-based strategies
• How modeling calm for your children works through mirror neurons even when they're upset
• Overview of the Wire to Connect program for anxious moms of emotionally sensitive children

Connect with Dr. Monday at the links below:

Private Facebook Group

Get your Your Mom Guilt Freebie

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

BestInterest Co-Parenting App: Join BestInterest App and get 22% off yearly subscriptions with code LITTLEHOUSE22 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Summary:

Dr. Karalynn Royster explores how to respond when your child returns from their co-parent's home repeating confusing or inaccurate information. This episode provides practical guidance on validating your child's experience while maintaining appropriate boundaries that protect them from adult conflicts.

Takeaways:

• Children asking difficult questions shows they trust you enough to bring challenging topics to you
• Your child is not trying to hurt you when repeating confusing information
• Focus on clarity rather than confrontation 
• Avoid phrases that create loyalty binds 
• Use the validation, boundaries, and redirection approach to respond effectively
• Document concerning patterns but address them separately from conversations with your child
• Remember that children need emotional safety more than they need complete information

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Summary: Our neurobiological response to co-parenting stress often mirrors evolutionary survival mechanisms, triggering fight, flight, freeze, or fawn reactions when we receive messages from difficult ex-partners. Recognizing these pattern is the critical first step to interrupting automatic responses and choosing more intentional communication.

Key Takeaways:

• The "four Fs" (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) are natural trauma responses designed to protect us in threatening situations
• Different situations may trigger different response patterns based on your history
• You can't control your initial reaction, but you can learn to recognize it before responding
• Naming what's happening creates space between your reaction and your response
• Asking trusted friends about your typical response patterns can provide valuable insights

Resources: 

Check out our High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for just $19, where we go beyond naming these responses and provide practical tools for each pattern. 

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Episode Summary: 

We explore how to handle tough questions from your children about separation, divorce, or your past relationship in ways that are honest, developmentally appropriate, and emotionally supportive.

Key Points
• Understand what's driving your child's question before answering 
• Validate their question first with phrases 
• Gently assess why they might be asking 
• Keep responses child-focused
• Respond directly to the underlying concern (like fear of losing your love) 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Summary

Parallel parenting provides a structured approach for co-parenting with high-conflict exes by creating strong boundaries and limiting communication. This episode explores different co-parenting styles and helps you determine if parallel parenting might be the right approach for your situation.

Key Takeaways:
• Different co-parenting styles exist on a spectrum from nesting to collaborative co-parenting to parallel parenting
• Parallel parenting involves parenting on separate "train tracks" that never cross, with minimal communication
• Most co-parents start with collaborative intentions but may shift to parallel parenting when difficulties arise
• Parallel parenting works best with manipulative, toxic, or boundary-challenging ex-partners
• Strong boundaries are essential when dealing with difficult people, especially when children are involved
• Your house, your rules; their house, their rules—each parent maintains control during their parenting time
• The parenting plan becomes your guide for all interactions and decisions
• Parallel parenting can be temporary as you heal, or a long-term solution for high-conflict situations

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with another co-parenting mom. Check out our free guide on different co-parenting styles and our masterclass "How to Handle a Difficult Ex."

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Summary
In this episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster discusses the complexities of co-parenting, particularly in high-conflict situations. She emphasizes the importance of establishing strong boundaries to protect both the parent and the child. The conversation covers three main types of boundaries: emotional, communication, and parenting boundaries, providing insights and strategies for mothers navigating difficult co-parenting dynamics.

Helpful Links:

Learn about the Kids First Co-Parenting System

How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free)

High Conflict Communication Bootcamp

Private Facebook Group

Follow us on Youtube & Instagram

Takeaways

• Boundaries are essential for protecting your emotional health.
• You cannot control your ex's actions, only your responses.
• Emotional boundaries help you cope with the reality of co-parenting.
• Clear communication is crucial in high-conflict situations.
• You must prioritize your child's well-being above all.
• Establishing parenting boundaries helps maintain your home environment.
• Regularly assess and reinforce your boundaries with your ex.
• Seek resources and community support for co-parenting challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Boundaries
01:34 Understanding the Importance of Boundaries
02:54 Who is a boundary for
04:32 Types of Boundaries in Co-Parenting
04:36 Emotional Boundaries
07:19 Communication Boundaries
08:16 Parenting Boundaries
09:08 Recap & Learn More

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

We walk through how to decide if your attorney is the right fit by focusing on your next 60 to 90 days, your case’s unique needs, and the communication systems that keep you steady. We compare junior and senior counsel, map specialties to real problems, and share steps to repair or replace without chaos.

• reframing “best attorney” as best for your needs
• defining immediate goals like enforcement or modification
• weighing junior associate responsiveness against partner experience
• matching attorney specialty to case complexity and risk
• assessing responsiveness, urgency protocols, and evidence workflows
• spotting realistic strategy versus empty promises
• steps to repair the relationship before switching counsel
• using community, templates, and checklists to interview well

Please share widely and leave us a review if you do find it useful
The best way you can support the show is by following, rating, and reviewing wherever you listen to podcasts and by sharing it with another mom who could use the support
You can also connect with me on Instagram and Facebook at LearnwithLittle House, where I share daily tips and encouragement for moms raising kids through high conflict divorce
If you’re ready to go deep and get more tools, scripts, personalized support, and coaching, come join us inside the Kids First co-parenting community

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Welcome to Kids First Co-Parenting, the podcast for smart, intentional moms navigating life after divorce with a difficult ex. Your host, Dr. Karalynn Royster, a child psychologist and co-parenting expert, this show offers real-world guidance for mothers raising emotionally secure kids in high conflict family dynamics.

Each episode blends child development insights with concrete strategies for managing co-parenting stress, setting boundaries with a toxic ex, protecting your child from conflict, and finding your footing as a confident, grounded parent. Whether you are navigating high conflict co parenting, parallel parenting, or co parenting with a narcissist, you will learn how to create stability for your kids, support their emotional well-being, and reclaim your own peace of mind.

Topics include co parenting communication, parenting plan mistakes to avoid, tools for dealing with controlling or manipulative exes, managing single mom burnout, and how to disengage strategically without feeling like you are giving up. You will also hear how to support your child’s emotional needs during and after divorce, set up effective routines in two homes, and rebuild your parenting identity on your own terms.

This show is your go-to resource for co parenting classes, co parenting counseling tips, managing the mental load for moms, and child-centered co parenting strategies backed by developmental science and trauma-informed care. You will also get behind-the-scenes access to insights from the Kids First Co-Parenting System and invitations to our free masterclasses and communication bootcamps.

If you are tired of co parenting drama and want real answers about how to co parent well, protect your child from the emotional fallout of divorce, and stop walking on eggshells every time you interact with your ex, this podcast is for you.

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

We explore how to face holiday grief and ambivalence when the kids are with a co-parent and the house feels too quiet. We share a clear plan to cope ahead, micro-skills for spirals, and when to bring in extra support while modeling regulation for our kids.

• naming grief and ambivalence during holidays
• separating feelings from behaviors
• building a coping ahead plan that fits you
• body, mind and connection actions for hard days
• grounding with feet and breath work
• quick resets with water, sky and fresh air
• recognizing red flags that signal added support
• modeling self-regulation language for kids

The membership is half off for listeners right now. You can find the membership at the link in the show notes

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

We explore how to support kids through holiday ambivalence without putting them in the middle, and why naming, validating, and coping rituals reduce stress for both kids and parents. We reframe “bad behavior” as stress signals, unpack loyalty pulls, and share simple connection rituals that steady transitions.

• normalizing mixed feelings during holiday co‑parenting 
• naming and validating emotions to build attachment 
• explaining and easing loyalty pulls between parents 
• reading behaviors as stress signals, not defiance 
• using curiosity and lowering demands to de‑escalate 
• creating simple, predictable connection rituals 
• recognizing parallel process in your own emotions 
• avoiding invalidating phrases and scorekeeping 
• steady support through routine shifts and transitions

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

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We explore how a therapist-led, process-oriented divorce recovery group helps women move through grief, confront shame, and build real co-parenting skills when conflict runs high. Join us for the bonus conversation with Dr. Kristen Hick (Center for Shared Insight).  Along the way we name false summits, choose the right hills to die on, and find a steadier path forward.

What's in this episode:

• What a process-oriented group offers beyond support
• Weekly flow, safety, and facilitated interaction
• Grief as a normal, nonlinear part of divorce
• Shame vs guilt and why shame is stickier
• Community as an antidote to isolation
• Group and individual therapy working together
• Control traps with new partners, bedtimes, and rules
• Choosing enforceable hills and protecting peace
• Venting with boundaries and narrative work
• The long arc of recovery and holding hope

Join us today. We’ve made the Kids First Co-Parenting System a membership so it’s more accessible and affordable for moms just like you. Come in and get your first month and all the lessons again. You’ll find the details here. 

Find Dr. Kristen Hick at the Center for Shared Insight, and learn more about the Divorce Recovery Group. 
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If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Holiday tables can be tender ground when you’re parenting from two homes. We dig into practical, child-first strategies to keep Thanksgiving calm and drama-free, and be connected to the people that although they are being nosey...probably care a lot too. From boundary-setting texts you can send before you arrive to on-the-spot scripts that shut down gossip, comparisons, and invasive questions, this conversation gives you the exact words and plans you need.

We start by reframing the season around regulation and safety, then map out how to brief relatives, protect kids from loyalty binds, and redirect when someone slips. You’ll hear short, repeatable lines to keep adult topics off the menu, ways to validate a loved one’s concern without unpacking the divorce at the table, and gentle non-answers you can use when asked about dating, custody, or who “got the house.” We also cover how to introduce a new partner thoughtfully and how to intervene when family tries to extract details from your child or compare “mom’s house vs dad’s house.”

As the day unfolds, structure matters. You’ll learn when to shorten visits, arrive just for dinner, or create new, simpler traditions that meet your bandwidth. We share quick, neutral responses for kids’ questions about split holidays and guidance on saving deeper conversations for a calmer moment. If you’re attending solo this year, these same scripts protect your peace and model healthy boundaries. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s steady, grounded presence and a holiday your child remembers for comfort, not conflict.

If you’re tired of every conversation with your ex turning into a fight, the High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms  is for you.  In this  self-paced 3 day online course, get scripts, strategies, and a workbook you can use right away, designed for moms in high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting. Enroll now for just $19 here. 

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

The kids stay home, the parents rotate—simple to say, hard to do well. We unpack nesting with straight talk on what it is, when it helps, and how to make it work without sliding back into the same conflicts that made separation necessary. From early-stage divorce logistics to keeping bedtime steady for a neurodivergent child, we share a practical blueprint anchored in safety, trust, and child-centered routines.

We start with the basics: a clear definition of nesting, common scenarios where it shines—high cost of living, a traveling parent, or a need to preserve medical equipment and school routines—and the invisible load it creates. You’ll hear why privacy protocols, written house rules, and transparent money systems prevent “gotcha” moments that reignite resentment. We also get candid about non-negotiables: if there’s coercive control, abuse, or constant boundary-breaking, nesting is the wrong tool. Parallel parenting from separate homes with structured communication will serve your child better.

Then we move into execution. Set the schedule first and keep exchanges brief and businesslike, like passing a relay baton. Align on routines using the “siblings, not twins” principle so life feels familiar even as parents change places. Lock down a plan for chores, groceries, mail, guests, and tech boundaries. Track expenses and reconcile on a cadence so costs don’t become character judgments. Most importantly, assign an endpoint—30 to 60 days—and review objective markers: on-time handoffs, fewer meltdowns, and lower parent conflict. If it’s working, extend with intention; if it’s not, pivot promptly.

If messages from your ex make your stomach drop, grab our High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms for $19 to get scripts and strategies you can use today. And if you want ongoing coaching, tools, and community, join the Kids First membership—use code ProtectKids at learnwithlittlehouse.com. Subscribe, share with a mom who needs this, and leave a quick review to help more families find solid ground.

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

A single notification shouldn’t hijack your nervous system. When co-parenting gets high-conflict, though, even a short text can set off a cascade of stress that steals focus from your kids. We sat down with founder Sol Kennedy to unpack Best Interest, the first AI‑moderated messaging app for co-parents, built from his own divorce and supported by Dr. Ramani’s expertise. Think of it as a calm, intelligent “shield” that filters inflammatory language into clear, actionable requests while preserving originals for records and reflection.

We explore how the app learns your context, aligns replies with your parenting plan, and compresses message floods into a single daily notification. Emergencies still break through, so you stay responsive without living on edge. For anyone using Our Family Wizard or Talking Parents, you can import conversations via screenshot and get immediate coaching. And when legal documentation matters, Best Interest exports unaltered messages with timestamps so judges see what was actually said—alongside your steady, concise responses.

Beyond the tech, this conversation dives into mindset: moving from reactivity and “evidence mode” toward agency, boundaries, and regulation. Courts are slow, costly, and often fuel a winner‑loser frame that fails kids. Reducing conflict at the source—messaging—creates space to parent with clarity, model calm, and protect your peace. We also share a practical tool for another flashpoint: screens across two homes. The Co-Parent Tech Agreement Kit gives you a decision framework, scripts, and a shared log to end the tug‑of‑war without power struggles.

If you’ve wondered whether one parent can make things better, the answer is yes. You don’t need your ex’s consent to start using Best Interest, try the free AI coach, or set limits that honor your bandwidth and your child’s needs. Follow, rate, and share the show with a mom who needs relief today—and tell us what boundary would bring you the most peace right now.

Best Interest App:

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...

Send us a text

Court-ordered FaceTime, late-night pings, and surprise speakerphone moments can turn tech into a battleground—unless you have a plan built for high-conflict co-parenting. We break down a practical five-decision framework that transforms chaos into clarity: precise call windows, allowed platforms, device-free anchors, clear privacy norms, and a calm problems protocol for when things go sideways. You’ll hear why judges dislike being dragged into phone debates, what the research says about delaying smartphones and social media, and how small wording changes in your parenting plan stop late calls from steamrolling bedtime.

We keep it real with scripts for missed-call boundaries, tips for choosing simple, low-drama platforms, and ways to protect your child’s nervous system with shared anchors like phone-free meals and device-free bedrooms. You’ll learn how to teach kids to assert privacy—no more hidden recordings or third-party coaching—and how to create a digital incident log that tracks issues neutrally, strengthens your case if needed, and keeps communication with your co-parent steady and brief. The goal is simple: a calmer home, a steadier routine, and a child who feels safe and seen across both houses.

If you’re ready for tools that work when personalities clash, this conversation gives you the structure to reduce conflict and keep your kid at the center. Check out our Co-Parenting Tech Agreement kit for scripts, worksheets, and a fillable incident log, and don’t miss our High Conflict Communication Bootcamp for Moms for fast, usable strategies. If this helped, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a mom who needs steadier evenings and better sleep. Your support helps more families find calm.

Snag your seat in the Co-Parent Tech Agreement Workshop, use podcast bonus code POD10 for $$ off.

Check out Jonathan Haidt's book, the Anxious Generation

Kids First CoParenting System: The best membership for moms co-parenting in a high conflict dynamic. If you are co-parenting with a narcissist, dealing with a manipulative ex, or feeling overwhelmed by high-conflict dynamics, you are not alone. These resources are designed to help you protect your child’s emotional health and take back control of your co-parenting experience.

Get More Support

• How to Co-Parent with a Difficult Ex Masterclass (Free & Instant Access)
• Kids First Co-Parenting Membership (First Month $48.50--> $97 after that, cancel anytime)

Explore the Kids First Co-Parenting System to learn how to raise emotionally secure kids after divorce, even when your co-parent refuses to change. This is the support system every overwhelmed mom needs.

Social Links:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

The Kids First CoParenting podcast and all related content are provided for general educa...