When we ask children what they want

As parents we think we know what is best for our children and we do our best to do the best we can for them. In a couple we discuss and make decisions together.

When parents separate it can be difficult to work together.

Different ideas about what is best for their children can become more pronounced.

Sadly sometimes parents allow the disputes between them as adults to play out in how they conduct themselves around their children’s arrangements.

Other times there are genuine disagreements.

Children can also say to each parent what they think the parent wants them to say. This can make disputes worse because both parents believe that they are doing what their child wants.

Sometimes abusive parents can use the idea of seeing children to allow them to continue to be abusive or controlling toward the other parent or the children themselves.

With cuts to legal aid, parents are less able to access the courts than they used to be.

Ian Walker is trained by Resolution to meet with children as part of the mediation process.

He is police checked.