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→Parenting coordination
===Parenting coordination===
Parenting coordination is a hybrid dispute resolution process that also relies on elements of both mediation and arbitration. It is only used to deal with problems about the care of children after a final parenting plan has been made by a court order, an arbitrator's award or a separation agreement. Parenting coordination is a child-focused process in which a neutral <span class="noglossary">third party</span>, a ''parenting coordinator'', helps parents implement the terms of their parenting plan. Parenting coordination is really only useful for parents who always seem to find themselves in conflict about parenting issues, despite their order, award or agreement. If you and your ex don't argue about your parenting plan a lot, you don't need parenting coordination.
In the parenting coordination process, the parents hire a parenting coordinator and sign a parenting coordination agreement that outlines their rights and responsibilities to each other and the scope of the parenting coordinator's services and authority. When a problem implementing the parenting plan comes up, one of the parents <span class="noglossary">will</span> contact the parenting coordinator and the parenting coordinator <span class="noglossary">will</span> get to work. First, the parenting coordinator <span class="noglossary">will</span> try to work out a solution by finding consensus, like a mediator. However, if the parents can't reach an agreement resolving the problem, the parenting coordinator <span class="noglossary">will</span> make a decision resolving the dispute, like an arbitrator.