[Nadia]

Has anyone used a parenting coordinator? Has it been helpful? My lawyer is suggesting that this is the way to go.

We have two children three and five years old. Very difficult relationship with ex. No co-parenting to speak of. We were using a communication book initially, but stopped working when ex started using it as a way to vent his anger on issues not related to the children. Also used it for intimidation and threats.

I have sole custody and ex has generous access, alternative weekends from Friday through to Monday morning and overnights on alternative Tuesdays and Thursdays. Access has been taking place regularly including vacation time over the summer, birthdays etc in line with court order. But exchange of children have become an issue of late because third party is on vacation, and we have had to use a police station.

As far as ex is concerned there is no flexibility with the schedule, even where it occasionally makes sense to switch weekends because special days (e.g. mothers Day or fathers day) falls on other parents weekend. In this situation it would make sense to simply switch weekends, instead of having the children sent back and forth every other day.

Going back to my original point, how useful can a Parenting Coordinator be in a situation like ours? Has anyone else used one? Is there someone anyone could recommend?