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It Takes a Village

The Village

Insights and guides for calmer, more organized co-parenting.

co-parenting custody-calendar how-to

Summer Schedules for Co-Parents: Plan Early, Fight Less

Summer breaks the regular custody rhythm. Here's how to lock in vacation dates, coordinate camps, and prevent the conflicts that hit every June when co-parents didn't plan ahead.

May 5, 2026 Megan Hollis
co-parenting holidays kids

Surviving Holidays and Birthdays as a Co-Parent

Holidays, birthdays, and special occasions are some of the hardest days on the co-parenting calendar. Practical strategies for planning ahead, managing expectations, and keeping the focus on your kids.

May 2, 2026 Joel Messer
communication calm-reading

5 Strategies for Calm Communication Between Co-Parents

High-conflict communication is the number one challenge for separated parents. Five strategies for reducing tension and keeping conversations focused on the kids, from topic-scoped threads to AI-assisted reading.

April 29, 2026 Joel Messer
custody-calendar how-to

The Complete Guide to Setting Up a Shared Custody Calendar

A shared custody calendar eliminates the guesswork of 'whose week is it?' Learn about common schedule patterns like 2-2-5-5 and 3-4-4-3, why a shared calendar matters, and how to sync it with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook.

April 22, 2026 Joel Messer
kids co-parenting mental-health

What to Do When Your Child Is Struggling With the Back-and-Forth

Some kids adjust to two homes quickly. Others take longer and show it in ways that aren't always obvious. How to spot the signs, when to worry, and what actually helps.

April 20, 2026 Joel Messer
co-parenting getting-started

What Is Co-Parenting Coordination (And Why You Need an App for It)

Co-parenting after separation means juggling custody handoffs, school pickups, medical appointments, and expenses across two homes. When communication breaks down, kids feel it first. Here's why structured coordination tools matter more than another group chat.

April 15, 2026 Joel Messer
co-parenting transitions kids

Making Custody Transitions Easier on Everyone (Especially the Kids)

Handoffs between homes are one of the most stressful parts of co-parenting. Practical strategies like naming the transition period, building rituals, and using handoff notes can take the edge off for kids and parents.

April 8, 2026 Joel Messer
co-parenting parallel-parenting high-conflict

Parallel Parenting vs. Co-Parenting: Which Approach Fits Your Situation?

Co-parenting gets all the praise, but it's not realistic for every family. When direct communication leads to conflict, parallel parenting offers a structured alternative that still puts the kids first.

April 1, 2026 Joel Messer
expenses how-to co-parenting

How to Split Shared Expenses Without Splitting Up (Again)

Money is the second biggest source of conflict between co-parents, right after scheduling. How to set up transparent expense tracking that actually works and keeps financial disagreements away from the kids.

March 25, 2026 Joel Messer