Degrees of Separation

08/06/2026

04/06/2026

🗣️Effective communication isn’t about winning - it’s about being heard, understood, and respected.
Whether you’re speaking with your current partner, your ex, your co‑parent, or even your lawyer, the goal is the same: reduce conflict by staying neutral, curious, and calm.

Give each other space to speak without interruption.
Ask questions to understand, not to defend. If one party shuts down take a moment to let them self regulate so you know you’re being heard and vice versa. Circle back once both parties are regulated and able to articulate and hear one another effectively.
Get curious about what the other person is really trying to say so you can meet each other’s needs with clarity instead of conflict.

I’ll be sharing more communication tips next Friday — follow along so you don’t miss it.
And if there’s something specific you want me to cover, DM me.

03/06/2026

30/05/2026

🙌🏻🌟This is coparenting 16 years later! 🌟🙌🏻 Our daughter‘s 18th birthday - hosted at a father‘s house with her stepmother, helping out with food prep and entertainment. While my daughter‘s dad and I got to enjoy a wonderful night with all of our girls friends. It hasn’t been an easy 16 years, but we’ve shown up through the good times and the hard- to give her the best we can. She’s now an adult ready to enter the world and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her. 🪄I have hopes that she’ll marry her forever person and never have to go through what her father and I went through - but if she does, I know we’ve been good teachers on how to do it well- we haven’t always gotten it right but we’ve always been able to communicate and repair to maintain a good coparenting relationship with boundaries, so that our child feels safe and supported with both parents by her side! This is 18🎂🥳

28/05/2026

👀 When you’re newly dating post separation, one of the healthiest steps you can take is having an open conversation with your coparent about how and when your children might meet someone new.

Introducing a partner too early can create confusion for kids, so it’s important to make sure the relationship is genuinely committed and moving in a meaningful direction before bringing them into your children’s world.

Talking together about what dating looks like, what boundaries feel right, and when introductions should happen - helps create a more stable coparenting dynamic. It also supports your children emotionally by showing them that both parents are working together with care, respect, and intention, and are both OK with this new dynamic!

If you’re navigating this stage and it feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone - support is available.

✨ If you’re struggling with dating dynamics in coparenting, reach out for guidance and tools to help you move forward with confidence.

www.degreesofseparation.co.nz

27/05/2026

As a couples therapist once said; that deciding whether to give a relationship another chance is never easy. It usually comes down to the answers to these 5 questions, which can help clarify what you truly need:

1. Am I drawn back to this relationship because of genuine connection, or am I avoiding the discomfort of letting go?

2. Are there patterns in myself or them that I am ignoring because I want this to work?

3. Am I compromising on my non-negotiables to make this work? What about them makes going against my values feel worth it?

4. If nothing has changed, is there anything that truly makes me think this time will be any different?

5. Does the thought of reconnecting bring a sense of calm and safety, or does it cause anxiety and doubt?

While these questions can help guide your decision, sometimes it takes deeper self-reflection, support, or professional insight to fully understand what’s best for you.
Take your time, respect your boundaries, and trust what feels right for you and be kind to yourself 1st and foremost!
www.degreesofseparation.co.nz

26/05/2026

86% of people remarry with 5 yrs of divorce BUT that % of second marriages is even more likely to divorce for a 2nd time. Approx 50% of 1st marriages end in divorce and 67% of second marriages end in divorce!
We do have an inheritable desire to be loved and love but slow it down and make considered choices so you 100% know every part of each other before you rush into a new relationship.

24/05/2026

As many of you know, co-parenting support is an area that I’m very passionate about within my coaching practice and so together Nikki Bould and I have created the co-parenting specialist- support for families in conflict or wanting to get on the same page with their co-parenting!

We’re Nikki Bould and Kimberlee Sweeney a team of two certified co‑parenting professionals dedicated to supporting parents as they navigate separation with clarity and confidence.
We provide structured, child‑focused guidance to help families create workable co‑parenting agreements across two homes. Our work centres on improving communication, reducing conflict, and keeping children at the heart of every decision.
We’re so glad you’re here and look forward to supporting you or anyone you know, within a co‑parenting dynamic. Please forward this page or website to anyone you know who requires guidance and support with their co-parenting relationships or agreements.
Thank you
Kimberlee

Co Parenting SpecialistsChild Centered Co-Parenting Support Our Services Foundations Package $2,500.00 Foundations supports parents in thinking through the practical realities of co parenting and to begin shaping clear, child focused arrangements for life across two homes. It is designed to support....

24/05/2026

People use CHAT GPT for legal questions, divorce answers, counselling and coaching support. While AI is good it’s not great, and this is a prime example of why you shouldn’t solely rely on AI!

When it comes to matters of the heart, financials and legal options make sure you use a professional…

21/05/2026

✨ What Children Need to Know About Your Dating Life (By Age & Stage)

Navigating dating after separation can feel like a balancing act - especially when it comes to what your children should know.

Here’s a simple age‑by‑age guide to keep things calm, clear, and child‑focused:

• Under 8s - They don’t need much detail at all. Too much information can feel confusing, and they may repeat things to the other parent without context. Keep it light, simple, and reassuring.
• Ages 8–12 - They’re more aware, so a little information helps them feel secure - but still keep it minimal. Let them know you’re OK, life is stable, and the adults are handling the grown‑up stuff.
• 12+ (Preteens & Teens) - They want to know you’re being safe, sensible, and thoughtful. It’s perfectly fine to say: “I’m not ready for you to meet this person yet. If it becomes serious, I’ll talk with your other parent and we’ll plan it together.”

Keeping communication age‑appropriate protects your child’s emotional world and helps them feel secure during a time of big change.

Hope this has been helpful.
Contact details are in bio.