Articles by michael laycock on ArticleSnatch.com

Equal Rights To Equal Time With Both Parents After Separation?

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

When couples separate questions relating to arrangements for their children can become an emotional nightmare. Parents can find it very difficult to separate their roles as parents from that of spouse or even their inner child. Emotions of anger and hate can make it very difficult to discriminate between what is right and wrong. This is bad news and bad timing for the children, the innocent victims of the parental separation, as the sole question should be what is in the best interests of the children? The arguments for and against a starting point of equality have been debated and have shifted over the decades. In a lot of cases this question has had more emotional than practical significance because the parents lifestyles, demands of work and finances and the children's school and out of school activities often determine the best practical arrangements for the children. However, although it is an emotional question it is also important practically because it is best for the children for both parents to be engaged with their children. **End Summary** Topics: effects of divorce on children]]> children divorce]]> family mediation]]> mediation]]> divorce]]> separation]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael Laycock has spent (some) 25 years as a divorce lawyer and recently as a family mediator. Discover proven solutions on how to enable your children to overcome divorce and separation in his book at http://www.effects-of-divorce-on-children.com and for Family Mediation Services at http://www.evolvemediationservice.co.uk

Giving a Voice to the Children

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Sadly, when couples split up they are often too immersed in their own grief to consider the feelings of their children or do not understand that children are also fully fledged people entitled to know what is happening, to be heard and to be consulted. Whilst suffering the effects of divorce and separation the adults at least have the ability to make choices. They can choose where to live and with whom. Children do not have that advantage. They are economically dependant, inexperienced in life and have not fully developed their vocabulary so can find it more difficult to express what they are feeling. The adults often hand over control to their lawyers who are even more remote from the children than are the parents and the children are rarely heard within the legal context. Happily there is a better alternative namely Family Mediation. This is a private way in which an independent person, known as a Mediator, helps separating or divorcing couples learn to communicate better and reach solutions to some or all of their issues relating to separation, divorce, finances, property or children. Mediators are trained professionals experienced in helping people settle their issues. They are neutral. **End Summary** Topics: children and divorce and separation]]> family mediation]]> mediation]]> effects of divorce on children]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael Laycock has spent 25 years as a divorce lawyer and recently as a family mediator. Discover proven solutions on how to enable your childen to overcome divorce and separation in his book at http://www.effects-of-divorce-on-children.com and for Family Mediation Services at http://www.evolvemediationservice.co.uk

Helping Children Cope with Separation

Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

To separate is a loss. Loss is painful. Separation is a change. Change is uncomfortable. Children like to feel comfortable and secure. Children do not like to feel pain and do not like change. But let us get this into context. I do not mean to underestimate the effects of divorce on children but in order to understand what your children are going through you need to see what is happening in a wider context. CHANGE IS A PART OF LIFE. Every day we move from dawn to daylight to dusk to dark. At each stage there is a loss; a loss of darkness when we emerge into daylight, a loss of summer as we move into autumn, a loss as the child moves away from the milk of its mother to solids, a loss in moving home, in changing cars and in changing schools. Yes, change can be and often is hard but it's how change is dealt with that determines how successful are our outcomes. Looked at this way you will recognise that nothing is permanent. The body and its surroundings are continually changing. So everything is impermanent. These are unavoidable truths. **End Summary** Topics: effects of divorce on children]]> divorce]]> separation]]> helping children of divorce and separation]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael Laycock has spent some 25 years as a divorce lawyer and recently as a family mediator. He is the father of 3 children and divorced. Discover proven solutions on how to enable your childen to overcome divorce and separation in his book at http://www.effects-of-divorce-on-children.com