Richard and Sophie

Richard and Sophie had been divorced for six years.  However, they had continued to argue over the arrangements for their children.  The children lived with Sophie and saw Richard alternate weekends.  However, holiday arrangements and any variations in the schedule always seemed to lead to bitter arguments.  Richard and Sophie had come to realise that this was having an adverse effect on their children and negative effect on their own lives. 

Over a number of sessions they worked with the mediator to try to understand the underlying cause of their conflict.  Sophie felt that Richard was arrogant and bullying.  Richard thought that Sophie was over protective and irrational.  The mediator was able to point out how their repeated patterns of communication led to conflicts and misunderstanding, and suggest ways in which they could avoid the arguments that they so often got into.  At the final session Sophie came and said that she now recognised that her need to let go and trust Richard with their children.  In response Richard was able to acknowledge that he had at times been overbearing and would endeavour to be less so.  During the course of their mediation their communications had improved, and they both hoped to be able to continue to work better together as parents in the future.