The trauma of separation and divorce does not end when the parenting plan is entered. High-conflict parents often reappear in court to resolve even the most routine issues, using the court to express their anger and punish the other parent. The children are often put in the middle of the conflict and forced to witness arguments, choose between parents, hide positive feelings about a parent and are used as messengers between the parents. Without positive structures in place to protect them, these children become …