Why Mandatory Phone Calls Don’t Work in High-Conflict Co-Parenting
Wed Feb 04 2026
Mandatory phone calls are often framed as “good co-parenting.” But in high-conflict divorce and custody situations, they can do more harm than good.
In this episode of Divorce with Sam & Leah, we break down why mandatory phone calls don’t belong in high-conflict parenting plans—and why so many moms feel more anxious, powerless, and dysregulated because of them.
We cover:
How phone calls turn into investigative tools instead of connection
Why mandatory calls often become a harassment or control mechanism
The emotional impact on children before and after high-conflict calls
Why you’re unlikely to get honest answers—and why that keeps you stuck
The hard but necessary truth about accepting limits after divorce
If you’re co-parenting with a high-conflict ex and trying to reduce chaos, protect your child’s emotional well-being, and reclaim your peace, this conversation is for you.
💙 Want deeper support, tools, and strategy? Inside The Next Chapter, we help divorced moms heal, set boundaries, and navigate high-conflict co-parenting with clarity and confidence—without burning out or constantly second-guessing themselves.
👉 Join The Next Chapter: https://www.samandleah.com/services
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Mandatory phone calls are often framed as “good co-parenting.” But in high-conflict divorce and custody situations, they can do more harm than good. In this episode of Divorce with Sam & Leah, we break down why mandatory phone calls don’t belong in high-conflict parenting plans—and why so many moms feel more anxious, powerless, and dysregulated because of them. We cover: How phone calls turn into investigative tools instead of connection Why mandatory calls often become a harassment or control mechanism The emotional impact on children before and after high-conflict calls Why you’re unlikely to get honest answers—and why that keeps you stuck The hard but necessary truth about accepting limits after divorce If you’re co-parenting with a high-conflict ex and trying to reduce chaos, protect your child’s emotional well-being, and reclaim your peace, this conversation is for you. 💙 Want deeper support, tools, and strategy? Inside The Next Chapter, we help divorced moms heal, set boundaries, and navigate high-conflict co-parenting with clarity and confidence—without burning out or constantly second-guessing themselves. 👉 Join The Next Chapter: https://www.samandleah.com/services