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PODCAST

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster

Dr. Karalynn Royster

The podcast for moms raising secure kids after divorce & separation, even when their ex makes everything harder.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

38:11

What is the National Association for Single &...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2026/02/27

Send a text When the floor drops out after a separation, most parents don’t need platitudes; they need a lifeline. We sit down with Joy Reed from the National Association for Single and Divorced Families to unpack a practical, AARP‑style model built for families: national mediation you can trust, real childcare discounts with priority placement, mental health sessions that actually start the healing, and vetted financial advisors who understand the math of divorce. If you’ve ever stared at a ...

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23:00

Why your kid won't become your ex (Even if you're...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2026/02/13

Send a text We face the quiet fear many moms hold: will my child turn out like my ex. We explain why mimicry isn’t destiny, how processing experience shapes character, and how one steady adult can outweigh chaotic modeling, even in high-conflict homes. • naming the hidden fear without shame • modeling versus processing and why it matters • the role of one steady, safe caregiver • influence versus control in co-parenting • tech boundaries that reduce triangulation • mimicry, phases, and testi...

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28:17

Why “Just Ignore It” Is Terrible Advice for Kids in...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2026/01/30

Send us a textWe look at why “just ignore it” fails kids in high-conflict homes and show how brief, blame-free validation protects their trust and nervous system. We share practical scripts to name the hard thing, contain it, and co-regulate without fueling new fights.• why silence teaches kids to doubt themselves• difference between ignoring a co-parent and ignoring a child• when non-engagement makes sense strategically• the name it, contain it, regulate framework• age-appropriate validation and

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25:46

Beyond the “Best Lawyer” List: Questions to Hire the...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2026/01/16

Send us a text We walk through how to decide if your attorney is the right fit by focusing on your next 60 to 90 days, your case’s unique needs, and the communication systems that keep you steady. We compare junior and senior counsel, map specialties to real problems, and share steps to repair or replace without chaos. • reframing “best attorney” as best for your needs • defining immediate goals like enforcement or modification • weighing junior associate responsiveness against partner exper...

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22:23

Holiday Series: Coping With Holiday Grief After Divorce

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/12/19

Send us a textWe explore how to face holiday grief and ambivalence when the kids are with a co-parent and the house feels too quiet. We share a clear plan to cope ahead, micro-skills for spirals, and when to bring in extra support while modeling regulation for our kids.• naming grief and ambivalence during holidays• separating feelings from behaviors• building a coping ahead plan that fits you• body, mind and connection actions for hard days• grounding with feet and breath work• quick resets with

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28:41

Holiday Series: But You Get Two Christmases”-Grief,...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/12/05

Send us a textWe explore how to support kids through holiday ambivalence without putting them in the middle, and why naming, validating, and coping rituals reduce stress for both kids and parents. We reframe “bad behavior” as stress signals, unpack loyalty pulls, and share simple connection rituals that steady transitions.• normalizing mixed feelings during holiday co‑parenting • naming and validating emotions to build attachment • explaining and easing loyalty pulls between parents • reading

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41:36

BONUS: Inside A Therapist-Led Divorce Recovery Group,...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/11/28

We explore how a therapist-led, process-oriented divorce recovery group helps women move through grief, confront shame, and build real co-parenting skills when conflict runs high. Join us for the bonus conversation with Dr. Kristen Hick (Center for Shared Insight). Along the way we name false summits, choose the right hills to die on, and find a steadier path forward.What's in this episode: • What a process-oriented group offers beyond support• Weekly flow, safety, and facilitated interaction•

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24:37

Holiday Series: How To Handle Nosy Relatives And...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/11/21

Holiday tables can be tender ground when you’re parenting from two homes. We dig into practical, child-first strategies to keep Thanksgiving calm and drama-free, and be connected to the people that although they are being nosey...probably care a lot too. From boundary-setting texts you can send before you arrive to on-the-spot scripts that shut down gossip, comparisons, and invasive questions, this conversation gives you the exact words and plans you need.We start by reframing the season around

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24:57

What the heck is Nesting?

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/11/07

The kids stay home, the parents rotate—simple to say, hard to do well. We unpack nesting with straight talk on what it is, when it helps, and how to make it work without sliding back into the same conflicts that made separation necessary. From early-stage divorce logistics to keeping bedtime steady for a neurodivergent child, we share a practical blueprint anchored in safety, trust, and child-centered routines.We start with the basics: a clear definition of nesting, common scenarios where it

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37:54

Pioneering Co-Parent Communication: An Interview with...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/10/31

A single notification shouldn’t hijack your nervous system. When co-parenting gets high-conflict, though, even a short text can set off a cascade of stress that steals focus from your kids. We sat down with founder Sol Kennedy to unpack Best Interest, the first AI‑moderated messaging app for co-parents, built from his own divorce and supported by Dr. Ramani’s expertise. Think of it as a calm, intelligent “shield” that filters inflammatory language into clear, actionable requests while preserving

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27:04

The Five Decision Framework: A strategy to make tech...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/10/17

Court-ordered FaceTime, late-night pings, and surprise speakerphone moments can turn tech into a battleground—unless you have a plan built for high-conflict co-parenting. We break down a practical five-decision framework that transforms chaos into clarity: precise call windows, allowed platforms, device-free anchors, clear privacy norms, and a calm problems protocol for when things go sideways. You’ll hear why judges dislike being dragged into phone debates, what the research says about delaying

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27:00

Protecting Your Kids from Gaslighting in...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/10/03

Ever watched your child’s face twist with confusion? Up at night worrying about gaslighting and how to protect your child from the exact dynamics you experienced? We’re tackling the quiet damage of gaslighting in high-conflict co-parenting and sharing the exact words you can use to steady your kid without badmouthing your ex or dragging them into the middle.We start with validation on steroids. You’ll learn simple, easy to remember phrases that meet your child where they are, “I can see why that

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48:34

Balancing Act: Youth Sports in Divided Families...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/09/26

What happens when the already intense world of competitive youth sports collides with the complexities of co-parenting after divorce? Dr. Alec Baker, a psychologist specializing in both sports psychology and family dynamics, joins Dr. Royster to explore this challenging intersection where parental dreams, financial pressures, and children's wellbeing often compete for priority.Drawing from his background as a former competitive athlete whose career was cut short by injuries, Dr. Baker offers a

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24:56

What You Need to Know When Your Ex Manipulates Your...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/09/19

Ever wondered if your child is being gaslit by their other parent? Manipulated into questioning their own reality? You're not alone, and you're not being paranoid.Gaslighting - that subtle psychological manipulation where someone makes you question your own perceptions and memories - can be devastating for children caught in high-conflict co-parenting situations. When a child starts doubting what they saw, heard, or felt, it undermines their entire sense of security and trust.In this deep

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31:21

Get your screenshots together: The Ultimate Guide to...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/09/05

Overwhelmed by the advice to "document everything" in your high-conflict co-parenting situation? You're not alone. In this practical episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster tackles the documentation dilemma head-on, offering clear strategies to transform that mountain of screenshots into a manageable, effective system. Documentation serves three crucial purposes: creating an objective record of events for legal proceedings, helping you maintain emotional clarity, and most importantly, protecting your ...

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34:42

Mom Guilt: A Path to Calmer Parenting with Dr....

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/08/29

Show Notes: Dr. Karalynn Royster invites child psychologist Dr. Julianne Monday to explore the connection between anxious moms and anxious kids, discussing how parental regulation impacts children's emotional development. They share practical strategies for breaking generational patterns and creating emotionally safe homes while addressing the pervasive issue of mom guilt. Key Points: • Dr. Monday's journey from early childhood teacher to child psychologist focused on anxious moms and...

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17:22

Navigating Two Stories: What to Tell Your Child When...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/08/22

Summary: Dr. Karalynn Royster explores how to respond when your child returns from their co-parent's home repeating confusing or inaccurate information. This episode provides practical guidance on validating your child's experience while maintaining appropriate boundaries that protect them from adult conflicts. Takeaways: • Children asking difficult questions shows they trust you enough to bring challenging topics to you • Your child is not trying to hurt you when repeating confusing informa...

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17:43

Trauma in Co-Parenting: Understanding Your...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/08/08

Summary: Our neurobiological response to co-parenting stress often mirrors evolutionary survival mechanisms, triggering fight, flight, freeze, or fawn reactions when we receive messages from difficult ex-partners. Recognizing these pattern is the critical first step to interrupting automatic responses and choosing more intentional communication. Key Takeaways: • The "four Fs" (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) are natural trauma responses designed to protect us in threatening situations • Differe...

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11:02

3 Boundaries Every Single Mom Needs When Co-Parenting...

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/08/01

Summary In this episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster discusses the complexities of co-parenting, particularly in high-conflict situations. She emphasizes the importance of establishing strong boundaries to protect both the parent and the child. The conversation covers three main types of boundaries: emotional, communication, and parenting boundaries, providing insights and strategies for mothers navigating difficult co-parenting dynamics. Helpful Links: Learn about the Kids First Co-Parenting Syst...

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12:58

The "Why Did You Stop Loving Dad?" Survival Guide

Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster ·

2025/08/01

Episode Summary: We explore how to handle tough questions from your children about separation, divorce, or your past relationship in ways that are honest, developmentally appropriate, and emotionally supportive. Key Points • Understand what's driving your child's question before answering • Validate their question first with phrases • Gently assess why they might be asking • Keep responses child-focused • Respond directly to the underlying concern (like fear of losin...

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22 results

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