Divorce is difficult for everyone involved, including the children, who are often caught in the middle. Children may feel a sense of loss, sadness, anger and confusion as their family unit is dismantled. It gets worse when there is conflict and tension between the parents.
While it’s impossible to entirely protect your children from the negative effects of a divorce, there are things you can do to minimize the potential impact. Among them is choosing a conflict-free method of resolving your divorce, such as mediation.
Mediation can reduce conflict
Divorce mediation can help reduce and resolve disagreements between parents, which can benefit the children. High levels of conflict can make children anxious, stressed and unhappy. It can also affect their emotional and psychological development. If you can work together to maintain a positive environment for the children, the better.
Co-parenting will be easier
Mediation can help parents maintain a positive relationship, even after the divorce. This can be especially important for children who will benefit from having a strong relationship with both parents. By working together and putting their differences aside, parents can set the tone for a positive co-parenting relationship after the divorce.
The focus will be on the children
In divorce mediation, the focus is on the children’s needs and interests rather than the parents’. As such, both parents can work together to create a parenting plan that best addresses the children’s emotional, educational and physical needs.
Are you contemplating divorce mediation?
There is more to a mediated divorce than protecting your children’s well-being. It is also a faster and cheaper alternative that offers more privacy. If you are weighing your options, it helps to have informed insights to understand your legal rights and what to expect during the entire process.