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104: Your Custody Case Starts Before Court: How What You Say, Do & Post Can Shape the Outcome, with Virginia Family Law Attorney Whitney Pennington

A custody case can begin long before filing: an angry message, social post, or tense exchange may shape how a judge sees a parent. Krista talks with Virginia family law attorney Whitney Pennington about choices that shape a family’s record. Pennington urges parents to pause before replying, keep communication respectful, avoid involving children, and answer hostile messages without escalating. Sarcasm, profanity, threats, repeated texts, and labels such as “narcissist” can damage credibility. When past conduct is raised, she says, acknowledge it honestly, explain what you learned, and show steps taken to change. The conversation also covers choosing mediation where possible, documenting incidents and parenting time, and keeping records of child support payments and missed amounts. Pennington stresses that local laws differ, including rules for ending support obligations. Listeners will hear how calmer communication, accountability, and careful recordkeeping can protect children, re...
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Co-Parenting and New Partners: Introducing Significant Others Without Derailing Your Children’s Stability

Key Takeaways To a child, a new partner isn’t an addition — it’s another change. Handle the introduction as a transition for your child, not a milestone for the couple. Turnover hurts more than any single family structure. Research links the number of adult transitions to behavior problems, which is the strongest argument for waiting until a relationship is serious and stable. Connection before correction. The parent stays the parent. A new partner should be a warm, steady adult who isn’t in charge of discipline, possibly forever. Protected one-on-one time is essential, not optional. What kids fear most is losing you. Colorado courts don’t punish parents for dating. Restricting parenting time requires evidence of actual endangerment, though parents can agree to reasonable waiting periods and notice provisions. Introduction You’ve been through the separation. The parenting plan is in place. Things have settled into some kind of rhythm. And the...
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103: Social Media and Your Custody Case

One late-night post can follow a parent into court months later. In this episode, Krista explains how posts, stories, comments, photos, location data, and dating profiles may become evidence in Colorado custody disputes. She explains evidence rules and how posts can be used against their authors.  Nash explains that private accounts are not legally privileged and warns against deleting potential evidence or accessing an ex-partner’s accounts. Listeners will learn to pause before posting, preserve records, and keep adult conflict away from children. She leaves listeners with two questions: Would I want this read in court? Is it good for my child? In this episode, you will hear: Authentication, hearsay, and relevance rules Posts about co-parents, court proceedings, and parenting Privacy settings and preserving potential evidence Children’s online privacy and location tracking Dating profiles and introducing new partners Social media activity and protection orders Resources fr...
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Introducing a New Partner To Your Children After Divorce

See It Through Your Child’s Eyes   For most parents, a new relationship feels hopeful. For children, it often feels like another change they didn’t choose. They may worry about losing your attention, feel pressured to “pick sides,” or fear that liking your new partner betrays the other parent. Starting from this perspective helps you slow down and protect their sense of security.   Timing Matters   There is no magic number of months, but two questions help guide timing:   Is this relationship stable and serious   Has my child found some footing after the separation   If your child is still asking if you and your ex will get back together, struggling at school, or having a hard time with exchanges, it is usually too soon. Children also do best when they are not introduced to a series of short-term partners.   Age-Specific Considerations   Young children (under 5) form attachments quickly. The risk is losing someone they bonded with if the relationship ends.   School-age...
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102: How to Tell Kids about Divorce: with Parenting Expert Christina McGhee

In this episode, host Krista Nash sits down with parenting expert, author, and coach Christina McGhee to tackle one of the most difficult moments in divorce: telling your children. Christina, who has spent over two decades helping families navigate separation, shares compassionate, practical guidance for parents who want to put their children first during this life-altering conversation. Together, Krista and Christina explore the emotional weight parents carry and the common mistakes that can undermine a child’s sense of security. Christina emphasizes the importance of clarity, preparation, and unified messaging, reminding parents that while the marriage may be ending, parenting is not. She introduces strategies such as framing divorce as a change rather than an ending, using age-appropriate language, and avoiding over-sharing or placing emotional burdens on children. Listeners will also hear insights into how children of different ages process divorce, the dangers of using children...
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Businesslike Communication for High Conflict Co-Parents

When traditional co-parenting turns every interaction into an argument, many parents feel stuck between constant conflict and total cutoff. Parallel parenting offers a third option, one that protects children while lowering day-to-day tension between adults. What Parallel Parenting Really Means Parallel parenting is not blocking your ex, refusing to share information, or pretending the other parent does not exist. It is a structured way of parenting where communication is limited to what is necessary for the child. You still share medical updates, school information, activities, emergencies, and any changes that materially affect your child. The guiding idea is simple: less unnecessary contact, not less responsibility. The “Two Tracks, One Train” Picture Think of two train tracks. They never intersect, but they must stay aligned for the train to stay on the rails. The train represents your child. If one track veers away, the train derails. In the same way, parents can live separat...
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101: Introducing a New Partner To Your Children After Divorce

New romantic partners after divorce can feel like hope for parents and yet another upheaval for kids. We explore how children actually experience a parent’s dating life, drawing on long-term research about stepfamilies, loyalty conflicts, and the impact of repeated relationship changes. Listeners learn why stable, slower-paced introductions matter, how age shapes a child’s reaction, and why one-on-one time with each parent remains essential.  Krista lays out a clear ladder-style framework for introducing a partner, from first conversations with your co-parent and kids, to brief neutral meetings, to carefully timed overnights and cohabitation. We also look at Colorado law on parenting plans, morality clauses, and what courts really require before limiting parenting time because of a new partner.  Throughout, Krista offers guidance for both the dating parent and the non-dating parent so families can reduce conflict, protect children, and build steadier blended family relati...
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