How Professional Mediation Services Can Help Create a Peaceful Co-Parenting Arrangement
Divorce or separation can be difficult for everyone involved, especially if there are children to consider. Even during rough times, we know you will want to put your children’s needs and well-being first. This often means establishing a co-parenting arrangement to ensure they get to spend quality time with both parents.
Depending on the circumstances of your separation, creating a mutually agreeable arrangement can be stressful and often at times even feel impossible. With professional mediation services, we can help you develop a peaceful co-parenting arrangement that benefits all involved.
What are Professional Mediation Services
Professional mediation services are run by a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner who helps to promote civil and productive conversations between both parties in cases relating to children. It is a cost-effective and generally positive alternative to litigation.
Before beginning mediation, we will complete an intake session to understand the issues and both parties’ disputes. If we deem it appropriate to move forward with mediation we will then set up sessions either face-to-face, over the phone or via shuttle (where we pass along messages) depending on your situation.
During the mediation sessions, we will assist both parties to lead discussions freely and productively. Our goal is not to drive the conversation, but to keep it respectful and productive. Mediation is designed to be therapeutic and help both parties reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
How Professional Mediation Can Help Co-Parents
Enhanced Communication Skills
We understand that with difficult separations it can be difficult to communicate clearly and effectively without letting emotions get in the way. Mediation is designed to help drive respectful and productive conversations between parties.
Our practitioners can help start discussions and offer input of guidance where necessary to keep the conversations flowing in the direction of a positive outcome. However, our role is not to find the solution for you, we are here to help you find the solution through productive communication.
The hope is that going forward both parties will have gained the communication skills and respect to continue to communicate clearly and create peaceful arrangements for future situations.
Reduced Conflict and Stress
We understand that trying to find mutually agreeable solutions with work, responsibilities and your child’s school or extracurricular activities can be stressful. But this is where mediation can help.
Having an impartial third party in the room can help to minimise stress and conflict. While some levels of conflict are good and can be productive, we aim to ensure discussions stay respectful and do not cause harm to either party.
By managing stress levels and conflict, you will often find it easier to negotiate and find gaps in each other’s schedules. This will make for a more peaceful and mutually beneficial co-parenting arrangement.
Mutually Beneficial Co-Parenting Arrangements
When tensions are high and both parties want to be right or want to be the best parent, it can be difficult to negotiate or let anything go. However, with professional mediation services, we aim to ensure both parties are heard and understand each other’s perspectives.
By listening clearly and being considerate of both perspectives, communication and discussions can go smoother. This can result in positive negotiations for mutually beneficial outcomes, so you can establish a co-parenting arrangement that suits everyone involved.
Focus on Children’s Best Interests
In the heat of the moment, it is easy to let your own emotions cloud your judgement, however, co-parenting agreements are all about doing what is best for your child or children. As an impartial third party, we can help both parties take that step back and put the children at the forefront.
A peaceful co-parenting agreement will consider both parents’ circumstances as well as the children involved. This can include considering the distance from learning environments, extracurricular activities and how each parent’s schedule suits them.
Peaceful co-parenting will also produce less stress for the children involved. In these situations, children can get caught in the middle of discussions or conflicts and end up feeling like they are letting their parents down when making decisions. With mediation, you can take this conflict and stress back off your children and manage it yourself by making appropriate positive agreements.
Improve Your Co-Parenting Arrangement with Professional Mediation Services
With professional mediation services, you and your co-parent can start to develop more positive and productive communication skills for mutually beneficial negotiations. By being aware of all circumstances and perspectives and respecting their differences to put their children first, it is generally easier to bring peace to the co-parenting situation.
If you need assistance creating a positive and peaceful co-parenting arrangement for your children, it may be time to consider mediation. Our experienced and supportive Family Dispute Resolution practitioners at Richard Zande and Associates can help guide you through the process and negotiations.