Putting Children First
Why kids may rate one parent higher after a divorce
Why kids often prefer one parent after a divorce, when it signals something more serious, and how to keep your child out of the middle.
Putting Children First
38 articles
Putting Children First
When Your Child Comes Home Angry and Needs a Couple of Days to Settle
Learn how to give your child a calm landing after a hard handoff, when a day or two of settling is normal, and when to seek professional help.
Putting Children First
Report Cards and Homework: When Grades Become a Custody Argument
The first report card of the year can start a blame game between homes. How to share school information, set up homework in two houses, and keep grades from becoming evidence.
Putting Children First
The two houses have different candy rules. What do you tell your child?
Learn what to tell your child when each home has different candy rules, plus shared safety steps and a plan to agree on with your co-parent.
Putting Children First
Your Child's Therapist and the Custody Case: Who Gets to Know What
A child in therapy during a custody fight needs a safe room. What parents can ask, what stays private, and why the therapist is not a witness you get to recruit.
Parenting Time & Schedules
Sunday Night Handoffs: Sending Your Child Back Without the Meltdown
Sunday night handoffs without the meltdown: start the goodbye early, keep the exchange boring, what to say in the last two minutes, and what to do if they refuse.
Putting Children First
The Parent-Child Bond in Child Custody: Protecting Your Child’s Most Important Relationship
The parent-child bond is the foundation of a child's emotional security. In custody cases, courts pay close attention to the quality of this relationship
Putting Children First
Does a Mother Have Full Custody if Not Married?
In most jurisdictions, an unmarried mother is presumed to have legal custody of the child at birth, but this does not mean she has "full custody" that cannot
Putting Children First
2026 Guide to the Best Co-Parenting Apps and Shared Calendars
Co-parenting tools can help reduce conflict by creating structure around scheduling, communication, and shared responsibilities. When used consistently, they
Putting Children First
Divorcing a Narcissist: Key Considerations and Practical Tips
Divorcing a narcissist is rarely straightforward. The process frequently involves manipulation, gaslighting, attempts to control the narrative, and efforts to
Putting Children First
Building Security and Routines When Your Child Splits Time
When children move between two homes, predictable routines and rituals are one of the most powerful ways to give them a sense of security. A consistent
Putting Children First
Custody Battles: Understanding the Factors That Influence a Judge’s Decision
When parents cannot reach an agreement, the court steps in to decide what is best for the child. Judges do not pick winners and losers based on who argues