Co-Parenting with a Toxic Ex: Boundaries & Survival Strategies for Single Moms with Leah Marie Mazur

If you're struggling to co-parent with a toxic or high-conflict ex, you're not alone—and you're not crazy for finding it exhausting. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Leah Marie Mazur, a certified divorce recovery coach and founder of Mindfully Ready, for a practical conversation about protecting your peace while co-parenting with someone who makes everything harder.

Leah specializes in helping single moms heal, set boundaries, and thrive after divorce, especially when dealing with difficult co-parents. We dive deep into the real strategies that actually work when you're dealing with someone who ignores boundaries, manipulates situations, or makes co-parenting feel impossible.

What we cover:

• How to identify if your ex is truly toxic vs. just difficult to deal with
• What "protecting your peace" actually means when you share kids with someone
• Setting and enforcing boundaries with someone who constantly ignores them
• Overcoming mom guilt when you need to put yourself first
• Handling parental manipulation and alienation tactics
• Minimizing contact while still effectively co-parenting
• Protecting your mental health from a draining co-parent relationship
• When to involve lawyers and how to document concerning behavior
• First steps to take when you feel completely overwhelmed
• Talking to your kids about the situation without causing harm

Whether you're navigating parallel parenting, dealing with high-conflict situations, or just trying to survive co-parenting with someone who turns everything into drama, this conversation offers real, actionable strategies that prioritize both your children's wellbeing and your own mental health.

Want more resources? Check out myblog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney. 

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The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation.

Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson