In the Interest of Q.G. and W.G., Minor Children

APPEL, Justice.

In this case, we are called upon to make one of the most difficult and consequential decisions we as judges face, namely, whether the rights of a parent should be terminated in a private action filed by the other parent under Iowa Code chapter 600A (2016). After a hearing on termination petitions brought by the mother, A.P., the district court, sitting as a juvenile court, entered an order terminating the parental rights of B.G., the father of young children, Q.G. and W.G.

B.G. appealed. Among other things, B.G. asserted the custody provisions of a stipulation in a recent prior…