For over thirty years, Susan Dockerill has helped families navigate change with compassion. Life Works carries that mission forward — supporting parents nationwide through divorce, separation, and the everyday work of raising children together.
Our mission
Divorce, separation, and co-parenting are some of the hardest transitions a family can face. Our mission is to walk alongside parents during those moments — replacing fear with clarity, friction with communication, and isolation with real human support.
We believe the goal isn’t just to finish a required class. It’s to leave with tools that actually change how your family communicates, parents, and shows up for each other.
30+ years in education & child development
Conscious Discipline certified
International speaker & trainer
Court-recognized programs
Meet the founder
Educator · Conscious Discipline Certified · Founder
Divorce can be one of life’s most difficult transitions, but with the right support, families can move forward in healthier ways. For more than 30 years, Susan Dockerill has helped parents reduce conflict, strengthen communication, and create more positive outcomes for their children.
Susan’s passion is rooted in her own experience. As a living example of a successful blended family, she has seen firsthand how cooperation between parents and stepparents can benefit children for generations. Today, her family’s story includes three grandmothers sharing in the lives of the same grandchildren, reinforcing her belief that peaceful co-parenting is possible.
As the Founder of Life Works Parenting Tools, Susan created the 101 Co Parenting, 202 Advanced Co Parenting, and 303 Guided Co Parenting programs to help families navigate separation with confidence, compassion, and hope.
— Susan Dockerill
Early career
Susan began her career as an educator, building deep expertise in early childhood development and family systems.
Conscious Discipline
Certification in Conscious Discipline shaped her belief that connection, regulation, and empathy are the heart of parenting.
International work
Decades of speaking and training internationally — supporting parents, teachers, and family professionals across cultures.
Today
Susan built Life Works to bring this same warmth and rigor to families navigating divorce, separation, and co-parenting — nationwide.
Why Life Works
We’re often the difference between a family checking a box and a family that actually changes the way it communicates. Here’s what sets our work apart.
We meet parents in the middle of hard moments — without judgment, jargon, or shame.
Text us anytime. A real person on our team responds — usually within minutes during business hours.
Trusted by families and accepted by courts across the country, with state-specific pathways where required.
Built on child development science and Conscious Discipline — practical tools you can use today.
Children thrive when their parents feel supported. Everything we build serves that goal.
Designed by an educator with 30+ years guiding families through transition.
Real human support
Court requirements, deadlines, and family conflict can feel overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to figure it out alone. Text us with any question — about enrollment, your state’s requirements, or whether a program is right for your family — and a real member of our team will respond.
Whether you’re meeting a court requirement or navigating a high-conflict situation, we have a program built around your family’s needs.
We’re here to guide you. Text us for fast, personal support — we’ll help you choose the right course.
Compassionate parenting education for families navigating divorce, separation, and co-parenting — nationwide.