Children’s arrangements. Entente Family Mediation is a very child focused mediation service. Whether discussions are around property and finance or child contact arrangements, we will always put the needs of the child first.

We understand that when a relationship breaks down and couples separate, one parent will leave the family home and normally lose day to day contact with their child. Our aim is to help you create workable solutions that allow both parents to retain their roles in their children’s lives.

We can discuss:

• where the children will live
• how care will be shared between both parents
• arrangements for school holidays and special events throughout the year such as Christmas
• the best way for parents to communicate about issues concerning their children
• how both parents can best support the children both financially and emotionally

Mediation is proven to work better for families by reducing the stress and parental conflict that often occurs when parents communicate via solicitors or go to court.

Entente Family  Mediation aim is to help you work out a way to successfully share parenting, whilst both leading independent personal lives.

We are qualified to speak to your children directly providing you both feel this would be beneficial.  The mediator can chat with your child about his or her thoughts and feelings. This allows the child to provide their opinions to a neutral person. This can be particularly helpful if a child is saying different things to each parent.

The mediator would advise the parents of the child’s feelings and both parents would use information to find the best solution for everyone.

Some suggested reading…

Here are some books we recommend, and hope, you may find useful to help you and your family through a divorce and beyond.

Families and How to Survive Them
Author  Robin Skinner and John Cleese – Publisher Cedar books

Helping Children Cope With Divorce (Overcoming Common Problems)
Author Rosemary Wells – Publisher Sheldon Press

Making Decisions About Children
Author Rudolph Schaffer- Publisher Blackwell 1998

Surviving the Breakup – How Children and Parents Cope With Divorce
Author J and Kelly Wallerstein- Publisher basic books