As a parent, it is natural to want to fight to protect your relationship with your child. However, in many cases, it is the fighting itself that does the most harm.

When a child is dragged through a contentious divorce, it can cause lasting psychological and emotional harm. The child will be put in a position where he or she may feel forced to choose sides. One parent may even actively try to alienate the child from the other parent. This is a lot for a child, particularly a young child, to deal with. Thankfully, there is no need to drag a child through a divorce battle. There are positive alternatives such as mediation.

Five Reasons Why Mediation Is Good for Children in Divorce

At Lasiter & Jackson, both of our attorneys, Nicole Lasiter and Stephanie Jackson, are certified mediators and have more than 36 years of combined mediation experience. We encourage parents to consider mediation because of the many benefits of mediation for children in divorce. Those benefits include:

1. Reducing stress for the child. Without having to choose sides and without being forced to witness mother and father fighting, the child will be subject to less psychological and emotional stress.
2. Ensuring positive relationships with both parents. In mediation, parents are allowed to create a parenting plan that works for everyone involved, especially the child.
3. Laying the foundation for long-term parental collaboration. Just because a marriage ends does not mean that parents should no longer work together to raise the child. Mediation lays the groundwork for parents to work together long after the divorce is finalized.
4. Preserving money for the child. A drawn-out battle can be expensive. It is not unusual for these battles to last for a long time and drain savings accounts, leaving parents struggling financially. That money is better preserved for caring for the child.
5. Allowing you to spend more time with your child. Divorce battles take time. The time spent in the courtroom can be better spent with your child. Mediation is often a time-saver.

Contact a Phoenix Family Law Mediator

Our Arizona lawyers and neutral mediators will review your case and provide you with specific information about how mediation can benefit you and your child. Contact our firm to discuss your situation and to learn more about divorce mediation.