We know how heavy this feels. When you’re in the middle of a high-conflict co-parenting situation, every day can feel like a battle. You’re exhausted, your children are stressed, and it feels like there’s no end in sight. That is exactly why you have a parenting coordinator (PC). A parenting coordinator is designed to be your calm in the storm: a neutral professional who helps you navigate the day-to-day disputes that don't belong in a courtroom but are too difficult to solve at the kitchen table. However, if you aren't using this resource effectively, you might find yourself feeling more frustrated than supported. Let’s look at the seven most common mistakes parents make when working with a PC and, more importantly, the practical "fixes" to help you turn conflict into resolution. 1. Treating the PC Like Your Personal Attorney One of the biggest hurdles in high-conflict co-parenting is the "win/lose" mindset. It’s natural to want someone to see your side and validate your frustrations. But your PC isn't there to be your advocate; they are there to be the advocate for your child’s best interests. When you treat a PC like your lawyer, you might spend your time trying to "win" them over. This often backfires because it makes you appear more focused on the conflict than on your child’s needs. The Fix: Pivot your mindset from "How can I get the PC on my side?" to "How can we solve this for the kids?" What to say: "I’m struggling with the current pickup schedule because the kids are missing their soccer practice. I’m looking for a solution that keeps them on the team while respecting the other parent’s time." Tips for a Neutral Mindset: Acknowledge that the PC will sometimes make decisions you don’t like. Treat the PC as a consultant for your "co-parenting business." Avoid asking the PC to "tell the other parent they are wrong." 2. The "Kitchen Sink" Approach When you finally have a neutral third party to listen, it’s tempting to bring up every single thing the other parent has ever done wrong. We call this the "Kitchen Sink" approach. While your feelings are valid, flooding the PC with minor grievances: like who forgot a sweatshirt or a five-minute delay at drop-off: can drown out the truly important issues.