The Essence of the Problem
The Child Services Department referred to us the case of the father of a 5-year-old boy. He asked for help because his ex-wife had not allowed him to see his son and participate in his upbringing for over a year.
The parents had separated and lived apart. The child stayed with his mother, while the father had since remarried.
Goals of Mediation
- To hear the child's needs and agree on what is in the child's best interests.
- To determine how the father would participate in the child's upbringing.
- To agree on regular meetings between the father and son.
- To build a foundation for constructive dialogue between the former spouses.
- To document all agreements in a joint settlement.
How the Mediation Took Place
- Separate meetings were held with each parent to understand their needs.
- Everyone sat down at the negotiating table together to calmly reach an agreement.
- The parents were helped to build a parental relationship.
- They determined which clubs the son would attend, and which games or books to buy, taking into account his interests and beliefs.
- They agreed on meetings between the father and son, which made both of them incredibly happy.
Result
Despite all the difficulties, the parents were able to find a common solution and signed a Mediation Agreement. It clearly outlined how the father would participate in his son's upbringing and provide for him financially.
At the final meeting, the mother herself suggested that the son live with each parent for two weeks at a time on a rotating basis.
That same evening, the boy went home with his dad directly from kindergarten to spend time with him.
Mediator: Yuliia Dubenko.