What is a Parenting Coordinator?


Parental conflict hurts children.  A Parenting Coordinator (or “PC”) is a person appointed by the court to help high-conflict parents who cannot agree on things like schools, extra-curricular activities, schedules, child exchanges, a child’s appearance, discipline, health issues, or problem behaviors. A Parenting Coordinator’s job is to help parents focus on the best interests of their children and develop cooperative problem-solving skills.

The scope of a PC’s authority is determined by the court.  Most PCs have the power to resolve parental disputes by issuing a binding recommendation when parents cannot agree. Some PCs are authorized to manage healthcare issues for the family, including mental health services.  The ultimate goal of Parenting Coordination is to get parents to the point where they can cooperatively make decisions for the welfare of their children.

How We Help


Donna J. Bays uses her child development knowledge and conflict training to improve parental communication and give parents the tools and techniques they need to co-parent more cooperatively.  Donna meets the professional qualifications for Parenting Coordinators established by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC).  She has taught Parenting Coordination seminars for attorneys and mental health professionals.