{5 minutes to read} Of all the reasons to mediate — in the Hamptons or anywhere — the welfare of the children is perhaps the best.
For parents who prioritize the well-being of their children and are concerned about the impact of divorce, mediation proffers the most loving, protective approach. In fact, a mediated divorce, and the subsequent harmonious separation it encourages, can produce a healthier environment for children than that of a dysfunctional marriage. Divorcing amicably, rather than staying together “for the children,” is often the more responsible parenting choice.
Family By Design
Divorce addresses a marriage that isn’t working. A mediated divorce addresses the family affected by that broken marriage.
Mediation protects assets. Firstly, by shielding them from being wasted in gratuitous litigation.
However, assets are not only financial, and the most precious assets are often intangible. Our holdings include what we hold dear. Our values, more than our valuables, influence our decisions. Though non-numerical and possibly immeasurable assets may include self-regard, emotional wellness, peace of mind, and physical health. Under this broad, umbrellaing definition, we may also consider our children.
From the outset, mediating parents demonstrate several things their litigating counterparts cannot. Chiefly, mediating parents model their capacity and willingness to overcome conflict together. By mediating, despite their individual need to be apart, parents exemplify a commitment to unify in a new way for the benefit of their children. By enacting mature problem solving, demonstrating perspective, and determining to prioritize values over impulses, parents help children feel safely held and protected. Children are reassured by parents who are embodying their best selves.
Divorced or not, parenting together is
usually non-negotiable.
Mediation not only shields children from becoming embattled in parental warfare, but it also champions children by encouraging parents to freshly approach and redesign the family. When Hamptons parents mediated divorce, they can authentically explore fundamental parenting issues. Parents can redefine mutual goals for their children and realign with one another’s values. Divorced or not, parenting together is usually non-negotiable. The negotiation is on how to co-parent, cohesively and effectively, or adversarially. As co-parenting may continue for 15-20 years after a divorce is final, creating a sturdy parenting foundation will influence the quality of life for each family member for decades. With the mediator, families in the Hamptons are able to make decisions in advance about such things as:
In mediation, parents also address complex, foundational issues that shape day-to-day decisions:
These inquiries generally aren’t raised, much less attended to, in a litigated divorce. In mediation in the Hamptons, parenting children through a divorce and afterwards is a central focus.
Mediation provides a place to intervene collaboratively and creatively with families. In mediation, parties are informed and educated on the developmental challenges facing kids generally, and divorced kids in particular; and parents are empowered as to how to make the most difference.