OurFamilyWizard

OurFamilyWizard OurFamilyWizard is the world's leading co-parenting communication platform. These tools can reduce the risk of parents returning to court.

OurFamilyWizard is the world's leading co-parenting communication platform, offering tools for families to support more seamless and successful parenting across separate homes. Since 2001, more than one million parents and family law practitioners have trusted OurFamilyWizard's co-parenting platform to help divorced or separated families effectively manage audio and video calls, shared calendars, expenses, messaging, files and other critical family information.

Parallel parenting isn’t about avoiding communication. It’s about creating structure that reduces opportunities for conf...
08/31/2026

Parallel parenting isn’t about avoiding communication. It’s about creating structure that reduces opportunities for conflict.

Keep exchanges brief. Choose neutral locations. Keep kids out of the middle. Communicate logistics directly. And when something goes sideways, stick to the facts and document what happened.

The less room there is for conflict, the more room there is for your kids to simply be kids. 💙

Save this for your next exchange.

What actually makes a 50/50 parenting schedule work? It’s not just about splitting the days evenly. Before deciding what...
08/24/2026

What actually makes a 50/50 parenting schedule work?

It’s not just about splitting the days evenly. Before deciding what your parenting time schedule should look like, consider these 6 questions first.



Age can change what feels manageable.

Younger children may even fit from more frequent contact with each parent, while older children may be more comfortable with longer stretches between transitions. Your child’s individual needs and temperament matter, too.

A parenting schedule that works when homes are 10 minutes apart may feel very different when they’re 45 minutes apart.

Think beyond exchange days: school mornings, activities, friends, forgotten belongings, and how much time your child will regularly spend traveling between homes.

More frequent exchanges mean shorter stretches away from each parent. But they also mean more transitions between homes.

Some kids move between homes easily. Others need more time to settle in after each transition. Pay attention to what you’re seeing from YOUR child.

Build the parenting schedule around your child’s real life… not just the calendar.

School, childcare, homework, sports, activities, friendships, and bedtime routines can all affect whether a schedule feels predictable or chaotic week to week.

The number of transitions matters, but so does how those transitions feel.

If face-to-face exchanges tend to be tense, transitions through school or childcare may help reduce your child’s exposure to parental conflict.

A 50/50 parenting schedule needs to work on ordinary Tuesdays… not just on paper.

Consider work hours, travel, childcare, transportation, school drop-offs, activities, and each parent’s actual availability when deciding what’s sustainable.

50/50 parenting time doesn’t always mean week-on/week-off.

There isn’t one schedule that’s right for every family.

The best parenting schedule isn’t necessarily the one that looks the most equal on paper.

It’s the one that considered your child’s needs, your family’s circumstances, and what can realistically provide consistency and predictability across two homes.

If you

Some of the hardest conversations with kids don’t come with easy answers. You don’t have to dismiss their feelings, defe...
08/18/2026

Some of the hardest conversations with kids don’t come with easy answers.

You don’t have to dismiss their feelings, defend the other parent, or have the “perfect” thing to say.

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is listen, acknowledge what they’re feeling, and show them that even the hard stuff is safe to talk about with you.

Because how you respond today can shape what they feel comfortable telling you tomorrow.

What’s a conversation with your child you wish you had better words for? Tell us below. 👇

Co-parenting doesn’t have to look the same for every family.For some parents, regular communication and shared decision-...
08/13/2026

Co-parenting doesn’t have to look the same for every family.

For some parents, regular communication and shared decision-making works. For others, creating more structure, clearer boundaries, and less direct contact is what helps reduce conflict.

Parallel parenting isn’t “failed” co-parenting. Sometimes, it’s the healthier way forward.

Because the goal isn’t to prove how well two adults can work together. It’s to create an environment where kids can feel safe, loved, and free to be kids in both homes. 💙

50/50 sounds like the obvious definition of “fair.” But when it comes to parenting schedules, there’s more to consider t...
08/10/2026

50/50 sounds like the obvious definition of “fair.” But when it comes to parenting schedules, there’s more to consider than the number of overnights.



For many families, 50/50 really does work—and that matters. The question isn’t whether 50/50 is good or bad. It’s whether it works for your child.

A parenting schedule isn’t about winning time or making sure each parent gets exactly the same amount. The child’s day-to-day experience deserves to be part of the equation.

Two schedules can look identical on a calendar and feel completely different to the children living them. Distance, school, transitions, activities, and routines all matter.

When both homes fit naturally into a child’s life, equal parenting time can offer meaningful, consistent time with both parents.

But the exact same split may create a very different experience for another child. “50/50” tells you how time is divided—not what that time actually feels like.

Instead of starting with “How do we make this equal?” try starting with “What does our child need to feel secure, connected, and supported?”

And the answer doesn’t have to stay the same forever. School, activities, friendships, distance, and your child’s developmental needs can change over time.

Fair doesn’t always have to mean mathematically equal. The goal is a parenting schedule that supports your child’s relationships with both parents while keeping their needs at the center. 💙

Not every child is ready to embrace a parent’s new relationship. And that’s okay.One of the biggest misconceptions in bl...
07/31/2026

Not every child is ready to embrace a parent’s new relationship. And that’s okay.

One of the biggest misconceptions in blended families is believing the kids should immediately accept a new partner.

The truth is more nuanced.



Your child didn’t choose the divorce. They didn’t choose this new chapter either.

Trust isn’t automatic. It grows when kids feel safe, respected, and free to move at their own pace.

Resistance isn’t always rejection.

Sometimes it’s grief.
Sometimes it’s loyalty conflicts.
Sometimes it’s fear that accepting someone new means losing something they still love.

Behavior often tells a deeper story than words.

When we talk our child’s hesitation personally, we often create more pressure.

Avoid forcing closeness, comparing them to other children, or making them feel guilty for needing time.

Healing rarely happens on someone else’s timeline.

What helps most?

• Low-pressure time together
• Small, consistent interactions
• Letting your child decide what they’re comfortable with
• Reminding them that their feelings are valid

Trust grows best when it isn’t rushed.

Healthy relationships in blended families absolutely can happen.

But they’re built through patience, not pressure.

Give your child time. Give them security. The relationship can grow naturally from there. 💙

Not every co-parenting situation calls for parallel parenting…but when conflict is constant, changing how you communicat...
07/28/2026

Not every co-parenting situation calls for parallel parenting…but when conflict is constant, changing how you communicate can change everything.



Written communication slows the conversation down. It gives both parents time to think before responding, creates a clear record, and removes misunderstandings caused by tone or body language.

Sometimes less talking actually leads to better communication.

“Does my child actually need this information?”

If the answer is no, it probably doesn’t belong in your co-parenting communication. The goal isn’t to win a point. It’s to support your child’s wellbeing.

Developed by conflict resolution expert Bill Eddy at High Conflict Institute, the BIFF method was created specifically for high-conflict communication.

✔️ Brief
✔️ Informational
✔️ Friendly
✔️ Firm

The best responses are usually the shortest ones. Stick to the facts, keep a respectful tone, and avoid leaving the door open for unnecessary conflict.

One of the most underrated communication strategies?

Wait.

If a message instantly makes you angry, you don’t have to answer immediately. A thoughtful response tomorrow is almost always more effective than an emotional response today.

Keeping co-parenting conversations in a dedicated space helps create healthy boundaries.

When every schedule update, expense, and message lives in one place, it’s easier to stay organized—and easier to leave the emotional baggage out of your personal texts.

Parallel parenting isn’t about being distant or uncaring.

It’s about being consistent.

Small, repeatable habits create more predictable communication, less conflict, and a more stable environment for your child. ❤️

Introducing a new partner is a big milestone… but for your child, it’s also a big adjustment.The goal isn’t to make them...
07/22/2026

Introducing a new partner is a big milestone… but for your child, it’s also a big adjustment.

The goal isn’t to make them instantly love someone new. It’s to help them feel safe, heard, and never caught in the middle.

A little preparation, honest communication, and patience can make all the difference. Give your child permission to have their own feelings, move at their own pace, and know they don’t have to choose between the people they love.

Healthy co-parenting isn’t about having all the right answers. It’s about creating an environment where your child can adapt without carrying the emotional weight of the adults around them.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give a parent introducing a new partner to their children? Share it below — you never know who might need to hear it. 💙

When your co-parent won’t cooperate, it’s easy to feel powerless. But there may be more within your control than you rea...
07/15/2026

When your co-parent won’t cooperate, it’s easy to feel powerless. But there may be more within your control than you realize.



Documentation isn’t about keeping score… it’s about creating a clear, factual record. Keep track of important dates, missed exchanges, unanswered messages, and deviations from agreements without adding assumptions or emotion.

You don’t need your co-parent’s cooperation to create consistency in your own home. Build routines your children can rely on. And keep showing up for them, even when things feel unpredictable in the other side.

Written communication creates clarity, accountability, and space to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting in the moment. Keep messages focused on the children, necessary information, and next steps.

If a court order or parenting plan is in place, use it as your guide. Follow it consistently in your side, and document deviations clearly and factually rather than renegotiating expectations during every conflict.

You may not be able to control how your co-parent communicates, follows through, or manages their household. You CAN control your boundaries, your responses, and the stability you create for your children.

Their choices do not define your success as a parent. Every time you choose consistency over chaos and your children’s well-being over conflict, you’re creating something steady they can depend on. 💙

This one’s for the parent who is grieving quietly. The one holding it together on the outside and falling apart at home....
07/14/2026

This one’s for the parent who is grieving quietly. The one holding it together on the outside and falling apart at home. You are not alone, and you are doing better than you know. 💙

Save this if you needed to hear it. Share it with someone who does.

Address

Minneapolis, MN

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

(866) 755-9991

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when OurFamilyWizard posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to OurFamilyWizard:

Shortcuts

Share