Case Study: Co-Parenting Is Getting Harder

"We used to have this figured out. Why is everything so difficult now?"

When Dan and Sally (names changed) came to me after co-parenting together for ten years, they were frustrated and confused. Co-parenting had been going reasonably well for years, but somehow it had become increasingly stressful and contentious over the past couple of years. They couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed, but they knew something wasn't working anymore.

The Hidden Culprits Behind Their Struggles

As we worked together, the real issues began to surface. Life had been quietly shifting around them in ways that made their original arrangement obsolete:

Their kids were growing up. What worked for elementary school children wasn't working for teenagers with intensive sports schedules and different transportation needs. The fixed schedule that once seemed so clear and fair now felt rigid and impractical.

School schedules had changed. New academic calendars meant extra parenting time during the week that hadn't been accounted for in their original agreement. What had once felt equitable now left one parent shouldering significantly more responsibility.

Career priorities had shifted. Dan had been working intensively to launch a new business, and Sally had generously stepped up to handle more parenting time to support his efforts. Now that his business was established, Dan was ready to resume a more balanced schedule - but Sally had grown accustomed to the extra time with the kids and wasn't ready to give it up.

The Path Forward

Here's what many co-parents don't realize: when life changes gradually, it's easy to miss how those small shifts add up to big problems. What Dan and Sally needed wasn't to assign blame or relitigate their entire arrangement - they needed help identifying what had changed and creating solutions that worked for their current reality.

Through our work together, we were able to:

• Clearly identify each area where their original plan no longer fit their lives

• Address each issue systematically rather than letting everything feel overwhelming

• Try out new scheduling approaches until we found what worked

• Build in flexibility for future changes

It took patience and several iterations, but eventually we created a new framework that felt fair and workable for everyone - including the kids.

Does This Sound Familiar?

If you're experiencing something similar - if co-parenting used to work but now feels constantly stressful - you're not alone. Life changes, kids grow up, and work demands shift. Sometimes what you need isn't a complete overhaul, but rather a skilled neutral party to help you identify what's changed and work through solutions together.

Ready to get co-parenting back on track? If you, like Dan and Sally, are finding that what was once agreed upon no longer works and co-parenting has become harder, mediation can provide a safe and productive space to figure out a new plan that works for your family's current reality.

Let’s talk: Contact me today for a consultation to discuss how we can address the changes in your co-parenting situation.