Your ex says, “They don’t act that way at my house,” and then the GAL or judge deems that you are the worst parent?

If you’re the parent your child melts down with, you might be blamed for being too soft, too emotional, or too permissive. But what if your child is acting this way because they feel safe with you?

We're diving into the misunderstood dynamics of how children behave differently between two homes, especially when one home is rooted in coercive control or emotional unsafety. I’ll explore why your child might appear calm and obedient in one environment but fall apart in another, and why this behavior is often misinterpreted in court or by professionals.

You’ll learn:

• Why “good” behavior doesn’t always mean a child feels safe
• What trauma responses can look like in kids—especially freeze, fawn, or performative behaviors
• Why emotional outbursts may signal trust in the safe parent
• How family court often gets this dynamic wrong, and how to reframe it
• What protective parents can do to validate their own experience and advocate for their child

If you’ve been made to feel like the problem because your child cries, resists transitions, or has big feelings in your care—this episode is for you.

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

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Navigating a high-conflict divorce is overwhelming on its own — but when you're also raising a child with special needs? The legal, emotional, and logistical challenges multiply.

In this important conversation, Sybil sits down with Dr. Susan Bernstein, a Certified Divorce Coach and expert in high-conflict divorce involving children with special needs. Drawing from her experience as both a professional and a mother of a child with severe special needs, Susan shares critical insights, concrete strategies, and the systemic gaps families must prepare for.

Whether you're in the thick of a custody battle, advocating for services, or worried about long-term care and planning — this episode will offer clarity, hope, and tangible next steps.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the divorce rate is significantly higher for parents of children with special needs
• How high-conflict personalities often resist diagnosis or care for their child — and what that means for legal decision-making
• The long-term financial, medical, and educational planning you must include in your parenting plan
• How to structure a tiered parenting plan with clear benchmarks and consequences
• The importance of documenting behaviors instead of using psychological labels in court
• Why many parents of special needs kids don’t get the relief of a countdown to 18 — and what long-term advocacy really looks like
• The surprising “silver lining” of divorce when it comes to planning for a child’s lifelong care

Connect w Dr. Susan:

G: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach__plus/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SusanKBernsteincdc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-susan-bernstein-new-york-s-premier-divorce-coach-5aa32510/

https://www.divorcecoachplus.com/

https://divorcewithspecialneedschildren.com/

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
Rising Beyond LinkedIn
Rising Beyond Pinterest

If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Enjoy some of our freebies!

• Choosing Your Battles Freebie
• Canned Responses Freebie
• Mic Drop Moments Freebie
• ...