Child Arrangements
Finding the New Normal
There is lots of information available to help separating parents manage this very difficult transition.
A mediator can signpost you to apps such as Our Family Wizard that will help keep communication civil and to a minimum.
There is a parenting plan template on the NACCC website that can provide the basis for discussion in mediation and there are recommended courses available for newly separated parents, which help avoid some of the pitfalls.
Special Days
There are many days during the year that have a special meaning and it helps reduce conflict if these are planned carefully in advance.
In Mediation you can decide on what will happen on Mother's Day or Father's Day and how that affects the usual schedule.
Holidays
It may seem unthinkable that your children would go on holiday without you but with advance planning and co-operation, this too can be managed so that you both are able to make memories with them.
We can find a level of detail and communication that you feel comfortable with.
Religious Holidays
You may share the same faith as your ex, you may have a different faith or have none.
Going forward as parents, you both have a say about religious upbringing and cultural heritage.
Your child is made up of half of each of you. In mediation we can discuss how to make the most of that.
Education
Both parents are entitled to direct communication from the school so if you are not on their contact list, make sure that going forward you hear directly about school updates.
As parents, this remains one of your joint responsibilities and it can present issues on separation.
It is essential that your child's education does not become collateral damage.
Birthdays
As a family, you may have celebrated birthdays all together. Yours, your children's, your parents'...
In mediation we will find a way to plan for birthdays so that everyone is prepared and on board with what the plan is going to be.
There is lots of information available to help separating parents manage this very difficult transition and help to
avoid some of the pitfalls.
Useful Links
Here are a few links to trusted sources of information that may help. If you have any questions about these, we can discuss them in our session.
CAFFCASS advises the family courts about children's welfare. They have a wealth of information on their website including a template for a parenting plan.
These co-parenting programmes have all been approved by the new charity behind this directory in order to ensure quality.
This is a template for writing a parenting plan with your ex. It will lead you through many of the situations that parents before you have encountered and is designed to take the stress out of co-parenting.
If your mediation involves Child Arrangements then you could be eligible for a voucher worth £500 towards the cost of it.
An app with features that reduce conflict and aid successful day-to-day co-parenting. It includes a shared calendar, photo albums, folders for important documents such as vaccinations etc and will even help you stake the right note in messages.
The government child maintenance calculator. It is simple to use and calculates the amount of child maintenance due according to your unique circumstances.