So, what are the answers?

Parents don’t have to go too far to find some great information to inform and motivate them to find better ways of resolving their differences.

Most parents in conflict want and need some level of support to diffuse and manage this.

They need someone professional and independent to help them focus on reaching joint decisions and work together to support their children, as they grow up and develop.

They need a process which emphasises mutual understanding, encourages the acknowledgement of feelings and the acceptance of differences.

Children need their parents to try, try and keep trying to find ways of working together, as parents, to support them.

Children need to feel that they have each parent’s permission, and, if it is not too much to ask, their active encouragement to have a great relationship with each of them.

So, if parents are to avoid court, what is the answer?

One answer is the combination of family mediation, a separated parent information programme and focused therapeutic parental support, when needed.

Have a look at my other videos which explain more about mediation and what mediators do.

We believe that an integrated family mediation approach like this, is the answer in over 80% of parental conflict.

This would significantly reduce the numbers going through the court and the damage this causes.

So, if you are one of these parents, take the bull by the horns and find out how mediation works by attending a mediation information and assessment meeting with a mediator.

The added bonus is that these are free is you qualify for legal aid and many do.