“This is a war. The farm animals are fighting the ocean animals.” says my 7 year old client as she creates an elaborate battle scene in the sand tray. “The cat is in the middle” she further explains as she gingerly places
Have you ever considered that your romantic relationship(s) affect more than just you and your partner? It’s also the foundation of your children’s future relationships. It all starts with you. No pressure. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I
When parents separate, the focus understandably turns to their children – how they’re coping, what arrangements will work, and how to protect them from unnecessary distress. But research – and increasingly, national guidance – points to one clear truth: it’s not separation
A Legacy of Quiet Rage When I was growing up, my mother spent years going in and out of family court with my antagonistic father. There were statements, court orders, applications, and a trial, but never once did anyone ask how it felt when my
I want to talk about this not as an adult who went through a divorce, but as a child who lived through her parents’ divorce. I share this perspective because I want parents to understand how vital it is to rediscover themselves
Between the day you decide to separate and the day you finally feel settled in your new co-parenting life, there is a mountain to climb. It can be daunting and you may not feel ready to take that first step but, when
I went to a social worker as a teenager for over two years. And yes, it helped. I could finally talk about the horrendous things that happened to me growing up. But the truth? We only scratched the surface. The deeper wounds
Mental health expert Noel McDermott examines what our children need through periods of transition; it’s first important to understand what we mean psychologically by a transition. A transition isn’t just a change of something, it is a change that requires an emotional
Why a child’s needs are the paramount consideration on divorce On divorce, the court will consider a list of factors under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 when deciding how assets are to be divided. Section 25 (1) provides that
On a gorgeous spring day, a friend and I walked my dog down Newbury Street in Boston. We passed by a sidewalk café where a young girl sat with her father, eating sundaes, which were what first caught our attention. Two empty
We’ve been contacted by Dr Sarah Foley, Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, about an exciting new research project exploring parenting after divorce or separation. The Parenting After Divorce or Separation Study aims to better understand family life and
When you’re partnering with someone who already has a child, you can expect to play a significant role in that child’s life. As you move in with and marry your partner, your involvement with their child is likely to increase. The child