Topic:
It Doesn’t Take Two to Tango: Survival Strategies for Abusive Co-Parenting
If you’ve been labeled “high conflict” while doing everything in your power to protect your child, I want you to hear this clearly - it does not always take two to tango.
In many custody cases labeled “high conflict”, the conflict is not mutual. One parent is trying to create stability, follow court orders, and shield their child from chaos. The other is escalating, provoking, filing motions, or performing cooperation while creating conflict behind the scenes. In other words, asymmetrical conflict.
In this powerful Lunch & Learn conversation, I’m joined by custody mediator and court advocate Al Huntoon to unpack what abusive co-parenting dynamics actually look like, and how protective parents can respond strategically instead of reactively.
Together, we’ll discuss:
The difference between “high conflict” and one-sided conflict
Patterns of litigation abuse and performative cooperation
Why courts often mislabel protective parents
The relational vs transactional “operating systems” at play
How parallel parenting actually works
Boundaries that protect your peace
Emotional regulation strategies that strengthen your credibility and resilience
This session is designed specifically for protective parents navigating coercive control, custody stalking (aka litigation abuse), and ongoing post-separation abuse.
You will leave with language for what you’re experiencing and concrete tools to navigate it without losing yourself in the process.
Cost: Free!
Host:
Cat Climaco | Founder, Peaceful Presence Divorce Coaching | Lead Divorce & Custody Coach
Guest Speaker:
Al Huntoon | MSW, Coparenting Conflict Specialist
Al Huntoon, MSW, is a family dynamics specialist with over 30 years of experience in family services, mental health, and training. As a former custody mediator and current coparenting specialist, he has worked with countless coparents navigating the challenges of high-conflict separation, shared parenting, and complex family transitions.
Drawing from his frontline experience, Al offers a fresh perspective on recognizing and addressing asymmetric conflict patterns that are often mislabeled as mutual high-conflict.
A thought leader and author of two books on coparenting (Coparenting Compass: Practical Strategies for Common Coparenting Challenges and Your Coparenting Copilot: How to Use AI to Communicate Better, Reduce Conflict, and Put Your Child First), Al translates his deep understanding of coparenting dynamics into compelling, practical insights.
His work challenges conventional wisdom, offering parents and professionals fresh perspectives on coparenting challenges, emotional literacy, and the hidden factors that shape conflict.
Contact info:
919-259-1358
https://www.coparentingconnection.com
