53. Co-Parenting After Divorce | How Emotional Intelligence and Self-Care Help Protect Your Kids with Cherie Morris

<p>Co-parenting after divorce can feel like an emotional, logistical, and legal reset all at once. In this episode, Theresa sits down with Cherie Morris to talk about what it really takes to move from conflict-driven parenting to child-centered cooperation, even when the other parent is difficult, resistant, or unwilling to fully engage. Together, they discuss why minimizing conflict matters more than “being right,” how emotional intelligence shapes a child’s ability to cope, and why self-care is not optional for parents trying to make thoughtful decisions under stress.</p><p>Cherie Morris, J.D., is a Certified Divorce Coach and Parent Coordinator who is trained as a lawyer, yoga teacher, author, and mother. Through Dear Divorce Coach, Cherie helps individuals, couples, and co-parents navigate divorce, communication challenges, and post-divorce family dynamics with clarity, empathy, and practical tools.</p><p>Connect with Cherie:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://deardivorcecoach.com/"><u>Website</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/morrischerie/"><u>LinkedIn</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/deardivorcecoach/"><u>IG</u></a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Need legal help in your family law matter? </strong><a href="http://www.modernlegalnc.com"><strong>Schedule a consultation</strong></a><strong> with our team to make sure you and your future spouse are both legally protected should a divorce occur. </strong></p><p>3 takeaways that can help parents build healthier co-parenting habits after divorce are:</p><ul><li><p>Shift from a focus on being ‘right’ to child-centered cooperation. Co-parenting works best when parents accept that two homes may operate differently and keep the child’s well-being at the center of each decision.</p></li><li><p>Validate your child’s emotions before trying to fix the problem. Children may come home upset, confused, or frustrated by something that happened with the other parent. Instead of immediately correcting, defending, or solving, parents can help by naming and validating the child’s feelings so the child learns emotional awareness and feels safe sharing honestly.</p></li><li><p>Treat self-care as a parenting tool, not a personal luxury. Parents who are overwhelmed, anxious, or constantly activated are more likely to react instead of respond. Simple practices like breathing, grounding, walking, music, or taking a brief reset can help a parent regulate their own emotions before engaging w