| "body"> | | | | children. |
| 1. The best predictor of the well being of children | | | | 6. A detailed and thorough parenting plan pre-empts |
| involved in a divorce is the amount of conflict between | | | | back and forth, 'He Said/She Said,' arguments if |
| parents. In mediation, conflicts are more likely to be | | | | differing views of the co-parenting history emerge. |
| resolved, resulting in a more peaceful post-divorce | | | | 7. Agreements, including modifications, create a record, |
| family life. | | | | or 'paper trail,' of what was mutually agreed to when |
| 2. Mediation helps parents create truly thoughtful and | | | | one or both parties were thinking more clearly about |
| child-focused parenting plans that are tailor-made to | | | | the issues involved in successful and co-operative |
| suit their children's changing emotional, developmental | | | | co-parenting. |
| and temperamental needs as well as the family's | | | | 8. A detailed parenting plan sets forth a method to |
| schedule. | | | | resolve differences without going to court in case you |
| 3. By thinking through and discussing the parenting plan, | | | | need to modify the parenting plan when things change, |
| possible problems can be identified and resolved | | | | or if new partners, or reluctant children, want to |
| before the final judgment is entered by the court. | | | | unilaterally change the plan. |
| 4. Mediation creates opportunities for parents to work | | | | 9. When co-parents deviate from the parenting plan |
| together and build on their strengths as they redefine | | | | and then fall into disagreement, a detailed parenting |
| the parental unit within the family. Parents who can | | | | plan provides a useful backup plan until they return to |
| model good conflict resolution skills for their children | | | | mediation. |
| raise children with better conflict resolution skills. | | | | 10. Mediation provides both parents with the |
| 5. A detailed parenting plan sends a message | | | | opportunity to explore co-parenting issues with an |
| between the parents and others, including the children, | | | | objective third-party neutral who is a professional |
| new partners, school and court personnel that | | | | trained in children's developmental needs and is |
| parenting is an important priority for both parents, even | | | | knowledgeable about the research on children's |
| if one parent assumes more hands-on time with the | | | | adjustment to separation and divorce. |