Boundaries sound simple—but when you’re navigating divorce or co-parenting, actually setting and holding them can feel incredibly hard.

In this episode of Divorcing Without Damage, Dr. Leslie Roberts breaks down what a healthy boundary really is, why so many things we call “boundaries” are actually demands, and how guilt can make us question perfectly reasonable limits.

You’ll learn why a boundary is about what you will do—not controlling what someone else does, why over-explaining can turn a simple boundary into a 45-minute negotiation, and what to do when someone pushes back or gets angry.

Dr. Leslie also shares practical examples for setting boundaries with an ex, family members, and friends—including simple language you can actually use in real life.

Because setting a boundary doesn’t make you selfish, difficult, or the villain. Sometimes, it simply means you’re learning to stop abandoning yourself in order to keep everyone else comfortable.

You don’t need permission to have limits. You just need to practice holding them.

What if the parenting plan that feels most fair to the adults isn’t actually the best fit for the child?

In this episode of Divorcing Without Damage, Dr. Leslie Roberts takes a closer look at one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of divorce: the parenting plan.

As a forensic psychologist, evaluator, and child-centered divorce coach, Leslie has seen countless parenting plans built around equal time, equal holidays, and what feels fair between two parents. But she challenges us to consider a different question: What does this particular child actually need?

From the popular 50/50 week-on, week-off schedule to the developmental needs of toddlers, young children, tweens, and teenagers, Leslie explains why there is no one-size-fits-all parenting plan. Age, temperament, distance between homes, school schedules, activities, and each parent’s real-world capacity all matter.

She also explains why a parenting plan shouldn't be treated as something that is signed once and defended forever. Kids grow. Their needs change. Families change. A plan that works beautifully at five may not make sense at twelve or sixteen.

Most importantly, Leslie shares three child-first questions every parent should ask when creating or revisiting a parenting plan:

1. What does my child need right now, developmentally?
2. What is actually sustainable for both households?
3. How will we know when the plan stops working—and how will we revisit it?

Because a parenting plan isn't just a peace treaty between two adults. It's the framework your child is going to live inside.

Your child didn't choose the divorce. The very least the parenting plan can do is be built around them.

Find more tools, scripts, and support at childcentereddivorce.net.

What if the healthiest way to parent after divorce is actually having less contact with your ex?

For many divorced parents, the idea of “successful co-parenting” comes with an expectation that you should be friendly, flexible, and able to communicate easily. But what happens when every conversation turns into conflict, every schedule change reopens old wounds, and your kids can feel the tension during every exchange?

In this episode of Divorcing Without Damage, Dr. Leslie Roberts breaks down the difference between collaborative co-parenting and parallel parenting—and why parallel parenting is not a failure.

You'll learn:

• What parallel parenting actually is

• How it differs from traditional co-parenting

• Why less contact can sometimes create more peace

• How to recognize which parenting model may fit your family

• What parallel parenting is—and what it is not

• Why calm, predictable homes matter more than having a friendly relationship with your co-parent

There is no trophy for having the friendliest co-parenting relationship. The real goal is calmer kids, predictable transitions, and homes where everyone’s nervous system has a chance to breathe.

Sometimes, the wiser choice isn't learning how to communicate more.

It's learning how to structure communication better.