When two parents are no longer in a relationship, sharing time with their children can quickly become complicated. Even when there’s a court order or parenting plan in place, unexpected issues come up—missed pick-ups, schedule conflicts, holiday disagreements, or different views on what’s best for the child. While some level of tension is normal, consistent conflict over parenting time creates stress for everyone involved, especially the child. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce conflict, resolve disputes, and make things work more smoothly. What Is a Parenting Time Dispute? A parenting time dispute happens when parents disagree about how time with their child should be shared. These disagreements can be about something small, like switching a weekend, or something major, like long-distance travel or one parent wanting to relocate. What makes these disputes so hard is that they often come with emotional baggage. Old relationship wounds, differences in parenting styles, or communication breakdowns can turn even simple scheduling decisions into major battles. That’s why it’s so important to have clear expectations, good support, and a plan that puts the child first. Using Mediation to Manage Conflict When talking things through on your own isn't working, mediation can help. In Indiana, family mediation offers a neutral space where both parents can speak openly—with a trained professional helping guide the conversation. Mediators don’t take sides. Their job is to help parents: Understand each other’s perspectives Focus on their child’s needs Explore practical solutions that work for everyone Put agreements in writing to avoid future confusion In areas like Terre Haute, Clay City, and Greencastle, local mediation services are available to help families resolve issues without going back to court. Parenting Coordinators and Child-Focused Plans Sometimes, families need more ongoing support than mediation alone can offer. In those cases, a Parenting Coordinator may be a helpful resource. A Parenting Coordinator helps families: Clarify or revise parenting plans Address ongoing parenting time issues Reduce communication breakdowns Keep the focus on the child—not the past At Hope For Our Future, we offer Parenting Coordination services to help reduce day-to-day stress for families caught in conflict. Smart Strategies for Reducing Disputes There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but the following approaches often help: 1. Communicate With Purpose Try to keep messages short, respectful, and child-focused. Don’t use texting or emails to argue or blame—use them to share information and make decisions. If direct communication causes stress, consider using a co-parenting app. 2. Create a Clear Parenting Plan A detailed parenting plan helps prevent confusion. It should include weekly schedules, holidays, school breaks, transportation responsibilities, and what to do when things need to change. If your current plan is unclear, outdated, or not being followed, it might be time to revise it through mediation or with help from a Parenting Coordinator. 3. Focus on Routine Kids do best when they know what to expect. Work with your co-parent to keep transitions smooth and routines steady—even if the homes are different. When both parents support a shared routine, kids feel safer and more secure. 4. Think Long-Term Not every disagreement needs to be a battle. Sometimes, taking the high road and letting small things go is the best move. Focus on the bigger picture: raising a healthy, supported child in two homes. When Conflict Is More Serious In high-conflict situations, or when safety is a concern, more structured solutions may be necessary. Supervised Visitation If one parent poses a risk to the child’s safety or well-being, supervised visitation may be recommended. This allows the child to have time with that parent while being observed in a safe environment. We provide supervised visitation services at Hope For Our Future, helping children maintain connection while ensuring a protective setting. Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Support In some cases, a Guardian ad Litem may be appointed by the court to represent the child’s best interests. This neutral third party investigates the situation and provides recommendations to the court. While not needed in every case, a GAL can be very helpful in situations where trust has broken down or where parents cannot agree on what’s best for the child. Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself Parenting through conflict is exhausting. Trying to protect your child, communicate with a co-parent, and juggle day-to-day life can leave you drained. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Talk to someone who understands Take a break from difficult conversations when you need to Set boundaries around stress Spend time doing something that brings you peace When you take care of yourself, you're better able to show up for your child with calm, patience, and clarity. Local Resources That Can Help If you’re in or near Greencastle, Terre Haute, or Putnam County, there are local services that can make a real difference: Family counseling programs Co-parenting support groups Child-focused mediation Parenting classes Supervised visitation centers Guardian ad Litem services At Hope For Our Future, we can help you connect with the services that are right for your situation. Final Thoughts Parenting time disputes are stressful, but they don’t have to define your family’s future. With the right support, open communication, and a shared focus on your child, it’s possible to move beyond the conflict and build a more peaceful co-parenting relationship. You don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to walk beside you—one conversation, one solution, one peaceful step at a time  This post was written by Chelle Hendershot, who is a dedicated Mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and Parenting Coordinator at Hope For Our Future, LLC, with a passion for helping individuals and families navigate through life's most challenging moments. This post is not intended to be legal advice and is for marketing purposes only. Copyright © 2025 Hope For Our Future, LLC. All rights reserved. This blog post may be shared, copied, and distributed in its entirety for non-commercial purposes, provided that proper attribution is given, and no modifications are made to the original work. Photo Credit: 8227576 Ejwhite Dreamstime.com