Child Custody Mediation Is A Chance to Move Forward

No one in a family goes unaffected during a divorce. It can be a stressful, sad, and confusing time for everyone. If you and your spouse are getting ready to call it quits, it?s important to remember that you have to work together as a team if you have children. While it?s normal for kids to grieve the breakup of their family, it?s important that you give them the resources they need to cope with the changing circumstances. One of the best ways for couples to put their children first in a divorce is with child custody mediation. This type of mediation service will help you and your spouse resolve any issues involving child custody. It?s important to recognize that the goal of child custody mediation is to do what?s best for the child or children.

As you prepare for a child custody mediation session, keep the following things in mind to ensure you come prepared and ready resolve any outstanding issues involving your child or children.

Child Custody Mediation Is Not Couples Therapy

This may seem like an obvious statement but it?s worth the emphasis. You may want to lapse into conversations about why you and your significant other are getting a divorce or discuss things that happened recently that brought you to this place in your life. It?s important to remember that the entire purpose of child custody mediation is to reach a custody agreement. ?Don?t make the session about you and your ex-spouse?s differences. Focus on the welfare of your child or children.

Child Custody Mediation Is About What?s Best for Your Children

As part of the child custody mediation process, you, your soon-to-be ex-spouse, and your mediator will map out an agreement that notes how your child or children will be raised following the divorce. The goal is to put the child?s happiness, safety, security, and growth first. What will best serve the child?s needs or best interests? Be prepared to discuss the following action items at your child custody mediation appointment:

• Where your child or children should live
• If you or spouse plan to remarry
• Both yours and your spouse?s separate living situations
• Custody changes in the event of you or your spouse?s relocation
• You and your spouse?s financial situations
• Holiday visitation and vacations
• Child support
• Health insurance
• Consistent discipline methods
• Religious or spiritual upbringing
• Childcare arrangements
• Education and extracurricular activities
• Each parent?s openness to let the child or children have a relationship with the other parent
• Unique medical, emotional, or educational needs, if any

The more prepared you are when entering a child custody mediation appointment, the easier it will be to reach an agreement. Keep in mind that the entire process is designed to come to an agreement that serves your child or children?s best interests.

Parent and Child Communication During and After Divorce

One of the most important things you can do during and post-divorce is keep the lines of communication with your child or children open. It?s important to be transparent with them. Let your kids know that your divorce doesn?t change how much you love them. Remind them that both parents will have an active role in their life. With a little reassurance and a lot of love, children have the remarkable ability to heal. Be present, be honest, and provide structure and stability.

Child Custody Mediation In The South Bay

Resolve disagreements about parenting with the help of an experienced child custody mediation professional. The team at South Bay Mediation will walk you through the process and help you put your differences aside to ensure a bright future for your children. Put your children first and schedule a consultation today.