One of the most difficult discussions that parents may have as part of their separation or divorce is what happens to the children; knowing what to discuss and where to start can be very difficult. Parents may tend to focus on the
When relationships break down, sharing the care of children can be complex and fraught with emotions. In the first instance both parents should be encouraged to discuss how best arrangements can be reached to enable the children to benefit from the love
“Remember that children are grieving in their own way and they have this completely different perspective, because the parents are both their parents, so unless there’s been real difficulty with one parent, they’re feeling very sad about both of their parents, so
Although it may be a very difficult and testing time for both you and your partner as you are separating and about to go through divorce proceedings, it can also be very difficult for your children. However, one of the most difficult
Going on holiday with my young children was simple. Viewing wildlife was exciting, whether watching squirrels in a city park or orang-utans at the Singapore Zoo. They were not picky about where we travelled. A holiday with twenty-somethings can require more planning.
Has anyone ever told you that they needed a vacation after coming home from their vacation? You may think they’re crazy, but statistically, they’re right. In 2010, the Applied Research in Quality of Life journal surveyed 1,500 participants on their happiness before
Conflict is a normal part of family life, be it in intact families or those that live separately. What matters is how parents handle and resolve conflict. Whether you are living together or not, if your children are witnessing and living with
Children need support when a parent is bitter and vindictive post-divorce. The mum or dad may have a personality disorder and are incapable of parenting in a nurturing way. When a difficult parent takes centre stage and the youngsters treated as bit
The rights and needs of children are of paramount importance in the eyes of the law. One way of offering them a voice during legal proceedings is through the appointment of a guardian ad litem. Generally, a guardian will be assigned to
Don’t let your troubled relationship ruin the magic of Christmas! For separated or divorced parents, Christmas can be difficult. Each parent wanting to share the joy of their children throughout the festive period and not necessarily wanting the inconvenience of sharing that
Every divorce presents a turning point in a child’s life no matter the age. The world as they know it changes and becomes another place that, temporarily or otherwise, is perceived as unstable, uncertain and even ugly. For the parents, the bottom
Occasionally, as a family solicitor, I come across a case that makes my heart sink. That feeling overwhelmed me when I read the recent judgment of the case Q and R (Intractable Contact), which can only be described as an extreme example of the serious issue of parental alienation. Parental alienation
For many, the word “divorce” suggests images of angry interactions, family fractures, exorbitant attorney fees, and months if not years of court battles. Sadly, these images are realities for couples involved in divorce litigation. Statistics show that divorcing couples typically lose a