In Part Two of this important conversation, Dr. Leslie Roberts sits down again with psychologist and colleague Ben Burgess to get practical about what parents can actually do when divorce and co-parenting begin heading toward high conflict.

What happens when a child starts resisting time with the other parent? How should the rejected parent respond without making things worse? And what responsibility does the preferred parent have when a child says they don't want to go?

Leslie and Ben unpack the complicated dynamics behind parental preference and resistance, including the ways divorce can amplify normal childhood preferences, how parents can unintentionally reinforce conflict, and why responding with anger, withdrawal, or litigation can make an already painful situation worse.

They also talk about the importance of meaningful relationships with both parents when safety is not an issue, why "my child is uncomfortable" isn't always a reason to avoid something, and how parents can use communication, boundaries, and intentional support to keep their families from getting pulled deeper into the court system.

Most importantly, this episode is about getting help before the conflict becomes entrenched. By the time a family reaches custody evaluations, parenting coordination, and repeated court battles, everyone may be deeply invested in the conflict—and the emotional and financial cost can be enormous.

If you're navigating divorce or co-parenting and you can see things starting to go sideways, this conversation offers a different path: stop trying to win and start making decisions that protect your children.

This is Part Two of Leslie and Ben's conversation about high-conflict divorce.