Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster
The podcast for moms raising secure kids after divorce & separation, even when their ex makes everything harder.
Episodes
We explore how to face holiday grief and ambivalence when the kids are with a co-parent and the house feels too quiet. We share a clear plan to cope ahead, micro-skills for spirals, and when to bring in extra support while modeling regulation for our kids.
• naming grief and ambivalence during holidays
• separating feelings from behaviors
• building a coping ahead plan that fits you
• body, mind a...
We explore how to support kids through holiday ambivalence without putting them in the middle, and why naming, validating, and coping rituals reduce stress for both kids and parents. We reframe “bad behavior” as stress signals, unpack loyalty pulls, and share simple connection rituals that steady transitions.
• normalizing mixed feelings during holiday co‑parenting
• naming and validating emotions to bui...
We explore how a therapist-led, process-oriented divorce recovery group helps women move through grief, confront shame, and build real co-parenting skills when conflict runs high. Join us for the bonus conversation with Dr. Kristen Hick (Center for Shared Insight). Along the way we name false summits, choose the right hills to die on, and find a steadier path forward.
Holiday tables can be tender ground when you’re parenting from two homes. We dig into practical, child-first strategies to keep Thanksgiving calm and drama-free, and be connected to the people that although they are being nosey...probably care a lot too. From boundary-setting texts you can send before you arrive to on-the-spot scripts that shut down gossip, comparisons, and invasive questions, this conversation gives ...
The kids stay home, the parents rotate—simple to say, hard to do well. We unpack nesting with straight talk on what it is, when it helps, and how to make it work without sliding back into the same conflicts that made separation necessary. From early-stage divorce logistics to keeping bedtime steady for a neurodivergent child, we share a practical blueprint anchored in safety, trust, and child-centered routines.
A single notification shouldn’t hijack your nervous system. When co-parenting gets high-conflict, though, even a short text can set off a cascade of stress that steals focus from your kids. We sat down with founder Sol Kennedy to unpack Best Interest, the first AI‑moderated messaging app for co-parents, built from his own divorce and supported by Dr. Ramani’s expertise. Think of it as a calm, intelligent “shield” that...
Court-ordered FaceTime, late-night pings, and surprise speakerphone moments can turn tech into a battleground—unless you have a plan built for high-conflict co-parenting. We break down a practical five-decision framework that transforms chaos into clarity: precise call windows, allowed platforms, device-free anchors, clear privacy norms, and a calm problems protocol for when things go sideways. You’ll hear why judges ...
Ever watched your child’s face twist with confusion? Up at night worrying about gaslighting and how to protect your child from the exact dynamics you experienced?
We’re tackling the quiet damage of gaslighting in high-conflict co-parenting and sharing the exact words you can use to steady your kid without badmouthing your ex or dragging them into the middle.
We start with validation on steroids. You’ll learn ...
What happens when the already intense world of competitive youth sports collides with the complexities of co-parenting after divorce? Dr. Alec Baker, a psychologist specializing in both sports psychology and family dynamics, joins Dr. Royster to explore this challenging intersection where parental dreams, financial pressures, and children's wellbeing often compete for priority.
Drawing from his backgroun...
Ever wondered if your child is being gaslit by their other parent? Manipulated into questioning their own reality? You're not alone, and you're not being paranoid.
Gaslighting - that subtle psychological manipulation where someone makes you question your own perceptions and memories - can be devastating for children caught in high-conflict co-parenting situations. When a child starts doubting what t...
Overwhelmed by the advice to "document everything" in your high-conflict co-parenting situation? You're not alone. In this practical episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster tackles the documentation dilemma head-on, offering clear strategies to transform that mountain of screenshots into a manageable, effective system.
Documentation serves three crucial purposes: creating an objective record of events fo...
Show Notes:
Dr. Karalynn Royster invites child psychologist Dr. Julianne Monday to explore the connection between anxious moms and anxious kids, discussing how parental regulation impacts children's emotional development. They share practical strategies for breaking generational patterns and creating emotionally safe homes while addressing the pervasive issue of mom guilt.
Key Points:
• Dr. Monday&ap...
Summary:
Dr. Karalynn Royster explores how to respond when your child returns from their co-parent's home repeating confusing or inaccurate information. This episode provides practical guidance on validating your child's experience while maintaining appropriate boundaries that protect them from adult conflicts.
Takeaways:
• Children asking difficult questions shows they trust you enough to bring chall...
Summary: Our neurobiological response to co-parenting stress often mirrors evolutionary survival mechanisms, triggering fight, flight, freeze, or fawn reactions when we receive messages from difficult ex-partners. Recognizing these pattern is the critical first step to interrupting automatic responses and choosing more intentional communication.
Key Takeaways:
• The "four Fs" (fight, flight, freeze, ...
Summary
In this episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster discusses the complexities of co-parenting, particularly in high-conflict situations. She emphasizes the importance of establishing strong boundaries to protect both the parent and the child. The conversation covers three main types of boundaries: emotional, communication, and parenting boundaries, providing insights and strategies for mothers navigating difficult co-p...
Summary
Parallel parenting provides a structured approach for co-parenting with high-conflict exes by creating strong boundaries and limiting communication. This episode explores different co-parenting styles and helps you determine if parallel parenting might be the right approach for your situation.
Key Takeaways:
• Different co-parenting styles exist on a spectrum from nesting to collaborative co-parent...
Episode Summary:
We explore how to handle tough questions from your children about separation, divorce, or your past relationship in ways that are honest, developmentally appropriate, and emotionally supportive.
Key Points
• Understand what's driving your child's question before answering
• Validate their question first with phrases
• Gently assess why they might be asking
• Keep ...
Welcome to Kids First Co-Parenting, the podcast for smart, intentional moms navigating life after divorce with a difficult ex. Your host, Dr. Karalynn Royster, a child psychologist and co-parenting expert, this show offers real-world guidance for mothers raising emotionally secure kids in high conflict family dynamics.
Each episode blends child development insights with concrete strategies for managing co-parenting str...
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