Gwendolyn McLeod, M.S., CAMS, CDVS

She has over 20 years of applied diversified experience working in education, social services, training, and management fields. She is a certified relationship coach specializing in Life, Love, and family relationships coaching and she also provides Parenting Classes, Anger Management Classes for adults and teens and is certified through NAMA, National Anger Management Association.

Instructor's favorite thing about Florida: Summer Time All The Time- Beach and Outdoor Living

Yes, there is ample evidence to suggest that separating or ending a marriage might be the right choice. If harm is being inflicted at home in a marriage, then separation is necessary. You’ll find articles suggesting that divorce does not hurt a child and those that say it does hurt a child but the truth is almost always in the middle, isn’t it? Divorce hurts a child to some extent–how could it be argued otherwise? The choices we make during divorce & separation proceedings are important and very meaningful. 

Parents’ separation is a big deal for children. Emotional stability is important whether parents are breaking up or not. It is emotional stability that will get the child through. Parents might need an education in offering stability because we’ve got to do our best with each challenge that arises.

You might be going through a lot but there are ways to lessen the load for your child. Research shows us that communicating with the child through the ordeal of divorce or separation is pertinent. The age of the child will help a parent understand how to assess their reactions. It must be communicated that it’s not their fault.

Always stay open to the child’s needs and do not leave him/her out of the loop. Having said that, it must be stressed that putting burden on the child is absolutely no good. it’s a fine line. To illustrate, Dr. Phil says he has two rules about children: 1) Do not ask them to deal with adult issues and 2) Do not burden them with situations they cannot control.

Don’t badmouth the other parent–ever. This weighs heavy on the child who might feel they’re being asked to choose one parent over the other. A child needs the instruction of positive role models.

“The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence." –Denis Waitley

Child psychologist Dr. Scott Carroll weighs in on an article here: https://www.fatherly.com/parenting/age-children-traumatized-divorce/ “The divorce itself is not the hardest part,” Carroll explains “the hardest part is the conflict. Learn to work together. Because you’re parents, you’ve got to work together,” Carroll says.

Many people’s first question is often this: What’s the worst age for a child to go through divorce? Opinions differ. Some believe that from ages 6 to 11 a child’s chances of inducing trauma might be worst. At that point, children start coming in to an excessively egocentric period of life and are searching for ways to become independent. The age of the child during the ordeal is critical and parental education is key. Some believe the worst years are from 2 to 4. The following article makes that argument: https://www.marriage.com/advice/divorce/worst-age-for-divorce-for-children/

Swiss biologist and psychologist Jean Piaget (1896-1980) developed a theory regarding the age of children as they grow and make sense of the world. He eventually developed a four-stage model of how the child’s mind processes the world at each stage. These four stages are universal for humans. Learn more here: https://www.learning-theories.com/piagets-stage-theory-of-cognitive-development.html


A break up can be viewed as a form of destruction, yes, but it’s also a new beginning–it’s a practice of building something new. It’s like a new fitness program. The discipline is to keep life stable and consistent. With help, you can do that.

Circuit One
Gulf Breeze/Navarre – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Pensacola - Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Pace/Milton - Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Two
Tallahassee - Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Three
Perry - Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Four
Jacksonville - Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Four
Fernandina Beach - Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Five
Ocala – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Six
St Petersburg – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
New Port Richey – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
 
Circuit Seven
St Augustine – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Eight
Gainesville – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
New Port Richey – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
 
Circuit Nine – Co Parenting 101
Orlando – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
 
Kissimmee – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Ten – Co Parenting 101
Lakeland – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Eleven
Miami – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Homestead – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Twelve 
Sarasota – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Bradenton – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Thirteen 
Tampa – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Brandon – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit Fourteen 
Panama City – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
 
Circuit Fifteen
Boca Raton – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced

West Palm Beach – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Delray – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced

Palm Beach Gardens – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Jupiter – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit 16
Key West – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Key Largo – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced

Marathon – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
 
Circuit 17
Pompano – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Fort Lauderdale – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Hollywood – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit 18
Melbourne – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced

Circuit 19
Palm City – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Stuart – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Fort Pierce – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced

Palm City – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-775-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Port St Lucie – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-755-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Circuit 20
Naples  – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-755-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced
 
Fort Meyers – Co-Parenting 101
Provider: Life Works Parenting Tools LLC
Telephone: 800-755-0405
Email: SueDockerill@gmail.com
Website: LWPT.ORG
Languages Offered: English and Spanish online
Correspondence Courses Offered: Webinar
Indigent Status: Reduced