From Chaos to Harmony: How Bio-Moms Can Navigate Co-Parenting After Divorce"

Episode: Managing Stepparenting Relationships - Part 3

Host: Christina Previte, Founder & CEO of Wolf Esquires law firm

Guest: Maria Natapov of Synergistic Stepparenting

Episode Highlights:

• Bio-Mom's Perspective: This episode focuses on the challenges faced by biological mothers when their ex-partners enter new relationships
• Common Challenges:
  • Feelings of abandonment when ex-partners move on quickly
  • Emotional turbulence including guilt, shame, fear, isolation and overwhelm
  • Concerns about who is spending time with their children
  • Loss of control over parenting decisions in the other home
• Processing Emotions:
  • Maria emphasizes the importance of sitting with uncomfortable feelings
  • Recommendations for self-care: therapy, proper sleep, nutrition, physical activity, hobbies
  • Suggestion to "bookend" emotional processing time daily
• Effective Co-Parenting:
  • Creating a new dynamic as "partners in the business of co-parenting"
  • Using communication frameworks (Maria mentions BH2O coaching)
  • Customizing communication frequency based on family needs
  • Understanding the "why" behind parenting decisions
• Getting Support:
  • The importance of professional help through transition periods
  • Building better foundations for understanding all parties' needs
  • Not expecting to instinctively know how to navigate co-parenting after divorce
• The Sparrow Collective:
  • Maria discusses her nonprofit supporting women during divorce
  • Creating housing (27 apartments) for women with children impacted by divorce
  • Targeting those with annual incomes between $35,000-$75,000
  • Providing on-site resources: legal guidance, financial planning, career coaching, childcare
  • Currently fundraising with plans to begin renovations in late summer/early fall
  • Website: thesparrowcollective.org

Contact Information:

• Maria Natapov: maria@synergisticstepparenting.com
• The Sparrow Collective: thesparrowcollective.org