Helping Two-Home Families Communicate Better
Parenting Agreement gives separated and divorced parents the structure, tools, and language to co-parent with less conflict — and to keep their children at the centre of every decision.
OUR MISSION
When parents have structure, children have stability
Separation rarely breaks down because parents stop caring about their children. It breaks down because two people who are no longer together still have to make hundreds of decisions for the people they love most — schedules, holidays, schooling, medical choices, money — usually while they are hurt, tired, and talking past each other.
We exist to take that pressure off. Parenting Agreement turns the hard parts of co-parenting into something concrete: clear written plans, predictable routines, and calm, repeatable ways to communicate. When the framework is solid, conflict drops — and children feel safe in both of their homes.
OUR FOUNDER
Meet Richard O'Shea
Richard O'Shea is a lawyer who has worked in family law and mediation for a number of years. He began his career training in divorce work at a law firm on the Gold Coast in Australia, where he saw first-hand how separation plays out for families in the real world — not on paper, but at the kitchen table.
He went on to establish a boutique family law firm in Ireland, advising parents through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. His perspective on co-parenting is international as well as local: he has also served on the board of separationagreement.com in New York, giving him a close view of how separating families are supported across different legal systems and cultures.
Throughout his career, Richard has worked alongside psychologists and social workers — not just other lawyers. That collaboration shaped a conviction that runs through everything here: most families don't need more litigation. They need structure, and they need practical tools that help them communicate better. That insight is exactly why he created Parenting Agreement.
“The parents I worked with almost never wanted to fight. They wanted a clear plan and a way to talk to each other that didn't blow up. Parenting Agreement is the resource I wish I'd been able to hand every one of them.” — Richard O'Shea
WHAT WE BELIEVE
The principles behind everything we make
Every template, guide, and tool on this site is built on the same four ideas.
Children come first — always
Every recommendation is measured against one question: does this make life more stable and predictable for the child? Adult disputes never take priority over a child’s sense of security.
Structure beats willpower
Good intentions fade under stress. A clear, written parenting plan and a fixed routine remove thousands of small negotiations and the arguments that come with them.
Practical over legalistic
Most co-parenting problems are communication problems, not legal ones. We focus on plain-language tools parents can actually use, not jargon that only helps in a courtroom.
Lower conflict, not “winning”
Co-parenting is not a case to be won. Our tools are designed to de-escalate, create predictability, and protect both households from unnecessary conflict.
Who we help
Parenting Agreement is for any parent raising children across two homes and wanting to do it well — whether you are:
- Just separating and trying to set up a workable schedule and parenting plan from scratch
- An established co-parent who wants to reduce friction and stop the same arguments repeating
- Dealing with a high-conflict ex and needing to communicate in a calmer, more businesslike way
- A grandparent, step-parent, or new partner trying to understand and support the arrangement
- A professional — mediator, counsellor, or family lawyer — looking for clear resources to share with clients
Our resources are written for an international, English-speaking audience. The principles of good co-parenting communication travel well, even when the local law does not.
How we help
Free guidance to read today, structured tools to put in place this week, and personal support when you want a human in your corner.
Free resources & guides
Dozens of in-depth articles on custody schedules, communication, boundaries, and handling difficult moments — including a complete guide to choosing a custody schedule.
Browse the blogTemplates & toolkits
Done-for-you parenting plan templates, worksheets, and communication scripts that turn good intentions into a written agreement both homes can rely on.
Visit the shopCoaching
Private 1:1 sessions to work through your specific situation and leave with a clear, personalised communication plan.
Explore coachingPersonal Parenting Agreement Package
Our most hands-on service: individual and joint sessions, a drafting session, and monthly reviews to build a complete agreement and keep it working over time.
See the packageA note on trust and transparency
Parenting Agreement is an educational resource and a provider of co-parenting tools and coaching. Our materials draw on Richard's background in family law and mediation and on years of working alongside mental-health and social-work professionals.
Important: the information and templates on this site are for general guidance and are not legal advice, and using them does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Family law differs from country to country and state to state. For advice on your specific situation, and before signing anything binding, please consult a qualified family lawyer in your own jurisdiction.
Have a question, or want to talk about the Personal Parenting Agreement Package? Email us at separationguide@gmail.com.
Ready to make co-parenting calmer?
Start with a proven template, or read our free guide to building a schedule that works.