Co-Parenting Planning Intensive (6 sessions)

This is a structured, child-first coaching program designed to help co-parents align quickly.

Over six 60-minute sessions ($250 each), I guide you through communication skills and decision points (schedule, exchanges, health, school, travel, finances beyond support) and draft a clear written plan you’ll review together and may share with your attorneys. Below, please find each session detailed.

Session 1 : Goals, ground rules, and a child-first foundation

Session 2 — Parenting time, exchanges, and transportation

Session 1: We start by naming your shared goals and the specific needs of your child or children, then set communication ground rules that keep things respectful and efficient. We choose a primary communication channel, define urgent versus non-urgent issues, and agree on response times so logistics do not spiral into conflict. Together we map the child-first principles that will guide every decision, identify hot-button topics that tend to trigger tension, and establish a simple “time-out and repair” tool to use during the process. You leave with a one-page summary of priorities, the communication norms we will use, and a checklist of data to bring for scheduling next time.

Session 2: We build a clear calendar for the regular school-year schedule, summer, and holidays, including start and end times, grace periods, and a simple, fair make-up policy. We set exchange locations, approved pickup lists, and who is responsible for transportation on specific days. We document car seat and booster standards, teen driving expectations, what items travel with the child, and the return policy for clothing and school materials. We also create an easy swap request process with a defined notice window and how approvals are recorded to prevent later misunderstandings. You leave with a draft calendar and an “exchange and transport” protocol you can follow immediately.

Session 3 — Communication playbook and conflict resolution tools

Session 4 — Health, school, and shared decision-making

Session 3: We create a practical, repeatable plan for day-to-day coordination. This includes a weekly logistics check-in template, a decision log for agreements, and short scripts for sending brief, informative messages that lower defensiveness. We practice skills such as reflective listening, “state the concern then the ask,” and short turns with time limits when emotions run high. We define an escalation ladder for disagreements, including when to pause, when to consult a neutral professional, and how to document interim solutions so the child’s routine continues smoothly. You leave with a written communication playbook and scripts to use at home.

Session 4: We assign who schedules routine versus urgent medical and dental appointments, how consents are handled, and how results and portal access are shared. We set sick-day thresholds, medication and allergy plans, and a mental health coordination plan if a therapist is involved. On the school side, we define who attends IEP or 504 meetings, how progress and forms are shared, homework expectations across homes, and who manages activity sign-ups. We also clarify which areas require joint consent, which are delegated, the tie-breaker process if you disagree, and what happens if a parent is unreachable and a timely decision is needed. You leave with a health and education protocol you can hand to providers and teachers

Session 5 — Life Logistics & Costs

Session 6 — Finalizing the written plan and next steps

Session 5: We align household routines such as bedtimes, hygiene, homework, and chores so the child experiences consistency. We set technology and social media rules including devices, parental controls, content ratings, and whether the child’s images are shared online. We outline boundaries for new partners and extended family, including roles at events and expectations for discipline. For travel, we set notice periods, itinerary sharing, contact while away, passport custody, and out-of-state or international trip guidelines. Finally, we document cost-sharing beyond base support for items like unreimbursed medical expenses, activities, school fees, uniforms, tutoring, and large purchases such as phones or laptops. You leave with a daily-life standards sheet, a travel checklist, and a simple reimbursement timeline.

Session 6: We consolidate all agreements into a clean, plain-language plan with specific, measurable statements and remove any ambiguities. We add a review date, a process for making amendments, and the escalation pathway for future disputes so you are not reinventing the wheel in a tough moment. We confirm distribution steps, where the plan will live digitally, and how you will keep calendars, contacts, and documents up to date. If you choose, we identify what you would like your attorneys to review. You leave with a finalized co-parenting plan, ready to implement. Further sessions are available for $250/per session.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What this program is:
Coaching and education focused on skills, planning, and agreement-building. Available via Zoom to clients anywhere in the U.S.

What this is not:
This is not psychotherapy, diagnosis, or medical treatment or legal advice/mediation. The written plan is a coaching agreement; you may take it to your lawyers for legal review. Wisconsin residents may inquire about separate therapy services if appropriate.

How it works

1. Free 15-minute fit call

2. Contract review and signature by both parties.

3. Six 60-minute coaching sessions (usually weekly). Session must be paid BEFORE meeting.

4. You receive a concise, plain-language co-parenting plan plus calendars and checklists

5. Optional attorney review and plan tune-ups as needed (each subsequent session after the six sessions is $250 per session).

Deliverables

• Drafted parenting-time calendar (school year, summer, holidays)

• Exchange/transport protocol and communication playbook

• Health/school decision matrix and sick-day rules

• Tech/social media standards, travel checklist, reimbursement timeline

• Final consolidated plan with a review date and escalation pathway

Is this covered by insurance?
No. This is coaching/education, not healthcare; insurance does not apply. Coaching/education services are not insurance-eligible or HSA/FSA eligible.

Can we do separate rooms or staggered participation?
Yes. For higher conflict, I can structure brief separate segments before joint work to keep communication productive.

Confidentiality
Coaching is private, but it is not HIPAA-covered psychotherapy. I do not release records unless you request in writing or the law requires it. My records only indicate what each party agreed to in session. This coaching service does not provide evaluations or testimony.

Practicalities
Q: What does it cost and how long is each session?
A: Six 60-minute sessions at 250 dollars per session.

Q: What’s your cancellation policy?
A: If payment is not received24–48 hours before the session avoid a late fee; missed sessions are billed.

More details on the plan:

Scheduling and parenting time
Q: Do you help us build a full school-year, summer, and holiday schedule?
A: Yes. We map regular weeks, holidays, breaks, and travel so handoffs are predictable and fair.

Q: What if our work schedules change a lot?
A: We add a swap policy with notice windows, approval steps, and a simple makeup-time rule.

Q: Can you include Right of First Refusal?
A: Yes. We set a clear threshold (e.g., care needed for 3+ hours) and a step-by-step offer/accept process.

Pickups, drop-offs, and transportation
Q: Do you set exchange locations and late policies?
A: Yes. We choose primary/backup locations, grace periods, and what happens after a no-show. We create an approved pickup list and a “do not release” list with verification steps. We set standards for seats/boosters, teen curfews, passenger limits, and car-use rules.

Communication between parents
Q: What platform do we use to communicate?
A: We select one channel and define response times, urgent vs non-urgent issues, and a weekly check-in. We give you short scripts, time-out rules, and a repair sequence to de-escalate quickly. We will provide a decision log for you to reference. You’ll get a simple template to record agreements and avoid re-arguing settled items.

Parent–child communication across homes
Q: Do you set times for calls or video chats?
A: Yes. We set windows by age, privacy expectations, and how to handle missed calls. We set reasonable limits that preserve routines and allow for special circumstances.

Healthcare and wellness
Q: Who schedules medical and dental appointments?
A: We assign routine vs urgent scheduling, portal access, and how results are shared. We define consent steps for medical care, notification timelines, OTC/supplement rules, and sick-day thresholds. We make plans for what - if situations like choosing a mental health provider (if child does not already have one) and how to cooperatively work together in choosing a therapist. We outline how parents and the child’s therapist communicate, including safety plans.

School and education
Q: Will you help with IEP/504 roles and meetings?
A: Yes. We clarify who attends, how notes are shared, and who updates teachers. We create consistent routines for homework, reading, and school devices in both homes. We also work on shared bedtime goals with psychoeducation provided to parents about how bedtime affects children’s mental health and school performance. We also define sign-off authority for school trips and a timeline for timely payment for fees, yearbooks, photos, and field trips by each party.

Activities, sports, and camps
Q: How do we decide which activities are reasonable?
A: We use criteria (time, cost, travel) and set transport and equipment responsibilities.

Q: What if an activity conflicts with the other parent’s time?
A: We set attendance expectations and a fair makeup approach when needed.

Technology and social media
Q: Do you set rules for phones, games, and parental controls?
A: Yes. We set device ownership, passcodes, content ratings, online chat rules, and purchase limits. We also create a family policy for sharing the child’s image, tagging, and geolocation. Psychoeducation will help guide the conversation on technology.

Travel and passports
Q: What notice do we give for trips?
A: We set minimum notice, what info to share (itinerary, lodging, emergency contact), and contact while away. We define passport custody, renewals, consent letters, and unaccompanied minor flight rules.

Belongings and purchases
Q: How do we stop the “clothes disappearing” problem?
A: We set which items travel, what stays, and a simple return/replace policy.

Q: Who buys big-ticket items like phones or laptops?
A: We create an approval process and cost split before purchasing.

Finances beyond base support
Q: Do you help with splits for medical, school, and activities?
A: Yes. We list eligible categories, percentages, caps if needed, and a reimbursement timeline. We set how to submit receipts to eachother. We set a single method (shared folder or app) and timelines for submission and payment.

New partners and extended family
Q: When can we introduce a new partner?
A: We set timing, settings for first meetings, and boundaries for caregiving and discipline.

Q: Can grandparents or other parties take the child to appointments or events?
A: If both parents agree, we define permissions and limits.

Safety and environment
Q: Do you cover home safety standards?
A: Yes. We address firearms storage, pools/trampolines, smoke/CO alarms, and pet safety.

Q: What about substances in the home?
A: We define rules for alcohol, cannabis, vaping, and prescriptions around the child.

Special circumstances
Q: Can you accommodate special needs?
A: Yes. We incorporate therapies, equipment, transportation, and staff coordination.

Q: How do you handle cultural or religious practices?
A: We include language, holidays, dietary needs, and expectations for services and events.

Teens and autonomy
Q: Do teens get a say in the plan?
A: We include age-appropriate input while keeping parents responsible for final decisions.

Q: Do you set rules for jobs, dating, and curfew?
A: Yes. We craft clear guidelines and a feedback loop to adjust as teens mature.

Conflict resolution and upkeep
Q: What if we disagree later?
A: Your plan includes an escalation path: direct discussion, scheduled check-in, neutral professional, then legal options if needed.

Q: How often do we review the plan?
A: We set an annual review date and a simple amendment process.

Logistics and deliverables
Q: What do we leave with?
A: A plain-language co-parenting plan including each area discussed.

Q: Do you testify in court?
A: No.

Access and eligibility
Q: Can you work with us if we live in different states?
A: Yes. Coaching is offered nationwide via Zoom, subject to safety and appropriateness screening.

Q: What if only one parent wants to participate?
A: The program works best with both parents. If one declines, we can offer limited individual coaching focused on communication skills and proposals to the other party.

Higher-conflict considerations
Q: My ex and I are very high conflict. Is there a way to discuss things solo and then coordinate the plan?
A: Yes. We can structure staggered segments and shuttle agreements to keep things productive. Please note that the number of sessions may increase in this case, due to the nature of the staggering and the increased back and forth.

Q: What if there is a history of domestic violence?
A: Safety comes first. Coaching is not appropriate for safety emergencies. If you’re in crisis, call 988 or local emergency services. In cases of domestic violence, this would not be an appropriate service. We assess fit, adapt structure if appropriate, or refer to specialized services if coaching is not suitable.