The Mediation Centre
7/8 St.Mary's Grove, Stafford, ST16 2AT

Mediation phoneline :
01785 273133

e-mail us at : tmc@nowellmeller.co.uk

Public Funding (free Legal Aid) may be available¹

Search The Mediation Centre

Your Children - Overview

“Your children-are not your children. They are the sons and the daughters of life’s longing for itself…….”

Separation ends your role as a partner – but not your role as a parent. Children can suffer a great deal of stress, confusion and unhappiness when their parents separate. But the good news is that you can do a lot to help minimise their distress and ensure that any ill effects are not long-lasting. Research increasingly shows that children need not suffer unduly when their parents’ separation is well managed.
This section has been designed to help you think about the issues you and your children face when separating. It should help you and your partner to work together with your mediator to come up with a solution that is best for both of you and best for the children.
Even where your dispute is mainly about finance, mediation provides an opportunity to look at some of the issues from your child’s point of view.

Richard and Jane’s story

Richard and Jane had lived together for 12 years. Both teachers and very anxious about the prospect of separation, they were concerned about the effect lawyers’ correspondence and advice was having on their ability to communicate effectively for their 4 year old daughter, Jessica. They felt a loss of control and wished to use mediation to plan jointly for Jessica’s future. Over two sessions, one of which took place following Judy’s removal to her new home, they were able to produce a detailed parenting plan to enable them to share care in a way which suited their current circumstances and focussed on Jessica’s school and after school care. Both regained considerable confidence and trust in each other, and they later returned to mediation to finalise all other aspects of their separation following a further period of reflection.

“ I would like to express my immense gratitude for the help given and the transforming effect that the help has had on my relationship. I could certainly not have imagined prior to mediation that we would be able to hold a constructive and civil conversation. My daughter is of course the true beneficiary of all this.”

Children1

Children2

Nowell Meller Solicitors are Investors in People