TBI Blog

I heard this statement several times a day while conducting mediation sessions, “why does my child have to suffer”? The question can be answered so many ways, it was unfortunate to know that a pending dissolution of a relationship was causing hardship on a couple. As a trained mediator, I recognized the pain that both parties were feeling and was determined to soothe concerns by both parties. I stated back to the parties, “your children do not have to suffer”. As they looked at me as if I was crazy; I stayed motionless waiting for either party to respond. As the petitioner (mother) looked befuddled at me, I stated again” your children do not have to suffer.” Finally someone asked me, “how is it they do not have to suffer?” I simply stated, by “working together”.
It was clear to me, this idea of working together was foreign to both parties at this moment. Usually when parties have come to me for a mediation session their is still immense amounts of pain. The last thing parties are wanting to do is “work together”. Informing parties that the ultimate goal of any mediation session is to put together a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the child(ren). When all parties can realize that by working together is more beneficial that fighting one another, parties will not have to ask the question Why do children have to suffer.

Until Next time,

Byron Pettit, M.A.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 2:05 am and is filed under Constitution. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.