Divorce often leaves behind emotional wounds, and when parents are stuck in conflict, it’s the children who suffer most. In this episode of Children First Family Law, Krista sits down with Dr. Shelley Bresnick and Jill Reiter about their program, Co-Parenting with Respect, which is designed to help separated parents move beyond hostility and build healthier relationships for the sake of their children. Dr. Bresnick, a clinical psychologist, and Jill, a licensed clinical social worker, bring decades of experience working with court-involved families. They’ve developed a 10-session program that centers children’s needs and helps parents become more mindful, supportive co-parents, even after a difficult separation.
During the conversation, they share how their program screens participants, how children’s voices are included in the process, and why positive co-parenting outcomes can significantly improve a child’s well-being. They walk through the structure of the Co-Parenting with Respect curriculum, which includes strategies for improved communication, emotional regulation, and shared decision-making. Jill and Dr. Bresnick also reflect on powerful success stories—families who have come through the program with better relationships and more stability for their children. Their approach reveals that even after conflict, parents can learn to work together and give their children the security and love they need from both sides.
You’ll hear more about:
- Jill and Dr. Bresnick created Co-Parenting with Respect after seeing the distress children experience when their parents can’t get along, and they wanted to develop a solution-focused approach to help co-parents move forward with skills and structure.
- They screen parents to ensure the program is a good fit, particularly looking at whether there are ongoing evaluations or any emotional or physical safety concerns, including levels of domestic violence, that could hinder the process.
- Helping parents reduce conflict and collaborate directly benefits children, who often express relief and hope when they see their parents beginning to work together respectfully.
- The curriculum includes structured sessions, skills, and guided conversations with pre-class materials and homework to shift communication patterns and build co-parenting competence.
- Parents learn to communicate more effectively by focusing on specific tools like giving feedback, managing emotion, practicing apologies, and understanding how to maintain a cooperative tone, especially in front of their children.
- The program encourages parents to treat their relationship more like a business partnership, helping them find neutral ground and respect, even if the emotional relationship has ended.
Co-parenting can feel like a minefield for parents navigating post-divorce relationships. The Co-Parenting with Respect program aims to give newly divorced parents the tools they need to put their children first.
If you want to learn more about The Children First Family Law Podcast, check out www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com/co-parenting-with-respect-creative-approaches-with-jill-reiter-and-dr-shelly-bresnick.