Children and Co-parenting

When parents separate, one of the biggest questions is how decisions about their children will be made. While the family court can make Child Arrangements Orders when agreement isn't possible, family mediation gives parents the opportunity to work together and create arrangements that are tailored to their children's needs. Understanding how each approach works can help you make an informed decision about the best way forward. To support this, judges rely on a structured fram

Wondering whether you need to go to court to sort out child arrangements? Learn when court may be necessary, how family mediation works and why it is often a quicker, less stressful way to reach agreement. When parents separate, one of the biggest worries is often: “Will we have to go to court to sort out arrangements for the children?” The good news is that in many cases, the answer is no. While court is sometimes necessary, most families are encouraged to explore other opti

Discover how parents can support children through separation, reduce the impact of family change and make child-focused decisions that put their wellbeing first. Separation can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a family goes through. Alongside dealing with the breakdown of a relationship, parents are often trying to support children who may be confused, upset, or struggling to understand what is happening around them. While every family’s situation is dif

Learn the difference between parallel parenting and co-parenting after separation, when each approach may be appropriate and how family mediation can help parents find the best way forward. When parents separate, there is often pressure to become “good co-parents”. For some families, co-parenting works well. Parents are able to communicate regularly, make joint decisions, and remain flexible around arrangements for their children. However, for others, ongoing communication ca

Discover why putting children first during separation is so important, how family mediation supports child-focused decisions and what parents can do to protect their children's wellbeing. When parents separate, it’s easy for the focus to shift toward legal rights, disputes, and outcomes. But amid all of this, one question often gets lost; What about the children? A major report from the Family Solutions Group highlights a fundamental issue in the UK’s approach to separation—a

Learn how Gottman’s Four Horsemen can affect co-parenting communication after separation and discover ways to reduce conflict and build healthier conversations. After separation, communication between parents can often become strained. What may start as small disagreements can gradually turn into repeated patterns of negative interaction. Over time, this can make co-parenting feel more difficult and stressful than it needs to be. One useful way to understand these patterns co

Struggling to communicate after separation? Learn practical strategies for co-parenting when communication has broken down and how family mediation can help parents move forward. When parents separate, communication can often become one of the most challenging aspects of co-parenting. Conversations that were once straightforward can quickly turn into tension, frustration, or even complete silence. When communication breaks down, even small decisions about children can feel ov

Discover why parents choose family mediation for child arrangements, including the benefits of reaching agreements together, reducing conflict and focusing on children. When parents separate, one of the most important, and often most difficult, question is how to arrange care for their children. Decisions about where children will live, how time is shared, and how parenting responsibilities are managed can quickly become overwhelming, especially when emotions are high. While