It's Possible to Co-Parent Healthy Kids

“One Big Family Forest”

Opening Moments

(No specific greetings, songs, or opening prayers recorded.)

Testimonies

Speaker 1 – A mom navigating divorce and co-parenting

• Key turning points & miracles
– “We’ve recognized that it’s not about us anymore—we have children.”
– Moved from courtroom battles (“three, two, one—it’s a whole hot mess of not-fun-ness”) to intentional teamwork with ex-spouses.
– Shared how forgiveness became real: “She said, ‘I forgive you,’ and at that point I couldn’t forgive myself.”
• Spiritual insights & emotions
– Decided to “control what we control” inside her own home, creating “an environment of respect toward my child’s other parent.”
– Refuses to “damage them more for me,” even when feeling “completely broken, utter despair.”
– Sees the blended family as “one of our best opportunities to live out the gospel.”

Speaker 2 – Her husband / stepdad

• Key moments
– First Father’s Day after the remarriage, the ex-husband texted: “Happy Father’s Day. I’m so thankful you’re in my child’s life.” He later passed that same blessing to the child’s stepdad.
• Scripture referenced
– Read aloud Luke 6:31 (The Message): “Here’s a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them.”
• Spiritual insights
– “We have a family forest, not a family tree, and we get to make it what we want it to be.”
– Aims to judge others “on their intentions,” just as he hopes others will judge his.

Group Reflections

• Communication tools vary—“group texts, group Me’s, email,” even teacher contact lists with “all four of us.”
• When cooperation fails, the counsel is clear: “If you guys can work it out, work it out…because you are handing your family over to a complete stranger” in court.
• Realism & hope: “Not everybody has six adults willing to move forward. All you can do is be the best version of you and pray—prayer can change a lot.”

Holy-Spirit Highlights

• Children-first mindset: every adult repeated, “It’s not about us anymore.”
• Radical forgiveness softens even legal warfare.
• Practical sovereignty: steward only what you can control; entrust the rest to God.
• Blended families mirror the gospel—broken pieces becoming one new household of grace.
• Luke 6:31 lived out: taking the initiative to bless the other parent.

Prayer Points & Next Steps

• Pray for open, respectful communication among all parents and stepparents.
• Ask God to heal lingering hurt so it won’t “bubble up in everyday conversations.”
• Give thanks for moments of unexpected honor—like the Father’s Day texts.
• Intercede for families still stuck in court battles or with uncooperative ex-spouses.
• Resolve to “control what we control” and model respect within our own homes this week.

Closing Blessing

“All you can do is handle your side of it—and pray, and prayer can change a lot.”