Why not use a friend or relative rather than a professional service?

It is often difficult to find someone on whom both parents will agree.  If they are having a conflict that supervision was found necessary, then the chances are very slim they will be able to find an individual that they both will trust and feel comfortable with. 

Secondly, it puts a real strain on friendships.  Many well-meaning friends and relatives will agree to provide the service but will quickly tire of the regular commitment and/or being in the middle of conflicts.  It is difficult for friends and relatives to restrain from taking sides.  Once neutrality is lost, then the credibility of the “supervisor” will come into question and much of the feeling of security and safety will be gone.  And, it may actually detract from the quality of the parent/child time together.  It is often tempting to spend time interacting with the acquaintance rather than focusing on the child.  Children may then come to resent the visits because they feel that they are not getting the ‘parent time’ that they desire.