How can Separating Parents Minimise the Impact of Conflict on their Children?

Resolution, which is a national organisation of family lawyers and other professionals who are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes has launched a short film which provides separating parents with some top tips to help minimise the impact of conflict on children.

Those tips are as follows:-

1. Communication – Communicate with your children in a straightforward and age appropriate manner. Ideally, talk to your children together so that they can see that you are both on the same page. Listen to what your children say about their worries and be prepared to answer questions. It is important to be honest and realistic with your children.

2. Set Boundaries – Children will inevitably be upset and or angry when their parents are separating. However, they still need appropriate boundaries in place. Children need to know that it is acceptable to express their views and even anger but they must do so in an appropriate manner and that there will be consequences if they behave inappropriately. It is important for both parents to agree on how they should parent and discipline their children so that children don’t receive mixed messages.

3. Don’t involve children in your disagreements - Your children love you both and they don’t want to be asked to take sides. They don’t want to hear you or your family being critical of their other parent. It helps children if they can see that their parents can at least be civil to each other.

4. Look after yourself – Separating from a long term partner can be very painful and stressful. Therefore, it is important that as parents you look after yourselves so that you can care for your children. Seek the support you need not only from family and friends but also from professionals who can help you through the process such as lawyers, counsellors and accountants.

5. At Elliot Mather LLP all of our lawyers are members of Resolution [www.resolution.org.uk]. We have many years of experience of guiding people through their separation in a timely and cost effective manner. We do as much as we can to deal with cases in a conciliatory manner in the hope that eases your stress.

   For further information about how we can help you, please contact:-

   Julie Skill (Chesterfield office) – 01246 231288  

   email: julie.skill@elliotmather.co.uk

   Rosemary Finn (Mansfield and Nottingham office) – 01623 655666 (Mansfield) or 0115 7043388 (Nottingham)

   Email: rosemary.finn@elliotmather.co.uk

   Puja Morjaria (Derby office) – 01332 372311

   Email: puja.morjaria@elliotmather.co.uk

   Helen Griffiths ( Matlock office) – 01629 584885

   Email: helen.griffiths@elliotmather.co.uk

   We Need To Talk: Top tips to keep kids' best interests first during divorce or separation from Resolution on Vimeo.

• Family