354 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 79 PART 3 MAY 2021
More Time for Child Focus
Working with a parenting coordinator can take away some of the stress that
parents previously experienced while attempting to resolve parenting disputes.
With lower stress associated with communication or decision making,
parties have more quality time to focus on their children.
Timely
Parenting coordination sessions can be scheduled early in the dispute and
at times acceptable to the parties. This can increase the likelihood of a
prompt settlement. It avoids the delays and frequent non-productive court
appearances associated with an already burdened court system. For simple,
day-to-day decisions that need an immediate resolution, the process can be
as quick and informal as a phone/Zoom conference or e-mail exchange.
When there is more time, much like with mediation, the parenting coordinator
can assist the parties to negotiate their own solution. But when they
cannot agree, the parenting coordinator will decide for them in the form of
a direction.
FINDING AND RETAINING A PARENTING COORDINATOR
Parents can retain a parenting coordinator on their own, through their
counsel, or by referral or order of the court. An example of an order used
for appointing a parenting coordinator can be found on the BC Parenting
Coordinators Roster Society (the “Society”) website.3 The Society is an excellent
resource for anyone interested in parenting coordination. The Society
offers a roster of family law lawyers and mental health professionals in the
province, including social workers, clinical counsellors and psychologists,
all with special training and extensive experience in mediating and arbitrating
parenting disputes. The Society promotes the effective use of best practices
by roster members and provides and encourages continuing education
opportunities. Many of the roster members offer online services making
the process available to pretty much anyone in the province with internet
access.
ENDNOTES
1. Andrew Christensen & James L Shenk, “Communication,
Conflict, and Psychological Distance in Nondistressed,
Clinic, and Divorcing Couples” (1991) 59:3
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 458 at
458.
2. SBC 2011, c 25.
3. Online: <www.bcparentingcoordinators.com>.
/www.bcparentingcoordinators.com