Week 1 of a series on how co-parenting conflict quietly reshapes child care
By Trina Nudson, JD, LBSW – Child Advocate, Co-Parenting Coach, Founder of The Layne Project

A child has two homes.
Two backpacks.
Two people trying their best—just not always together.

At first, it doesn’t seem like a problem.
You learn to print two copies of the newsletter.
You send the same reminder twice.
You stay neutral.

But then you notice…

• Birthday treats cause tension.

• Family photo requests get complicated.

• Drop-off feels charged.

• Crafts go home with one caregiver, and now you’re getting a call.

• You’re resending forms. Retelling stories.

• You’re not just a provider anymore—you’re the translator. The buffer. Sometimes, the target.

It’s not explosive.
It’s not dramatic.
It’s just… constant.

And when systems weren’t built to hold that kind of pressure, it doesn’t just affect your workflow.
It affects you.
Your team.
And ultimately, the child.

In early childhood care, we’re trained in play. In safety. In development.
We’re rarely trained in high-conflict parenting.
We’re certainly not resourced to navigate two-home dynamics that seep into our classrooms like smoke under a door.

But if no one’s naming the weight, how are we supposed to carry it?

That’s why this series exists.
To shine a light on what you’ve already been holding.
To give language to the migraine so many providers have—but can’t quite name.
And to begin a conversation about what’s next—not for parents, but for you.

This isn’t about fixing families.
It’s about finally supporting the people caught in the middle of them.

📅 Next Tuesday: 10 Things Providers Start to Notice Once They See the Migraine
💬 Want to share your story, add to the series, or bring this training to your staff?
Email me at trina@thelayneproject.com.

Because what lands on providers, lands on children—and it’s time we started listening.