Semi-yearly meetings . Parents are then taught to conduct semi-yearly meetings to discuss and confirm scheduling for school activities, holidays, vacations, extracurricular activities and birthdays as well as discuss the general welfare of their children. The semi-yearly meeting is practiced during a treatment session. By planning ahead and confirming schedules, parents can appreciably reduce conflict. Weekly telephone calls .
Parents are now prepared to learn to conduct telephone calls with each other on a weekly basis.
A precise format is followed, and the parents alternate initiating the call. The weekly call is practiced during treatment sessions until the therapist determines the parents can effectively handle it. Parents then begin making the weekly calls at home, and review their effectiveness in making these calls during subsequent treatment sessions. By scheduling the calls weekly and by having a specific agenda, parents can take comfort in knowing they will have an opportunity to discuss important child-related issues. Letting Go of the Past Having learned the three communication methods, parents can now discuss the issues that seemed so compelling when they began the program.