I mediated a revision of a parenting plan for two people today.  While I don’t provide legal advice while mediating, and I don’t dictate solutions for parties, I do sometimes offer guidance with life skills to assist them with communicating with each other at the mediation, and hopefully after as well.

Today I reminded the two that by successfully mediating their differences and showing respect to each other, they will illustrate or model behavior for their children regarding how to resolve conflicts.  People can disagree, and disagree seriously, but still maintain mutual respect.

Children learn by observation, and they will observe how their parents handle separation, and the choices made will influence how children approach the major separations in their own lives.  I hope my reminder today helps the two as they continue to interact as they both remain in their children’s lives, and I hope this helps remind those reading this of this important idea as well.