1. Overriding benefit: establishes a plan in the best interest of the child
The overriding benefit of a mediated parenting plan is simple: mediating a plan allows both parents to come together in a neutral setting, generate options, and focus on the best interests of the child. The parents, rather than the judges, are involved in creating a solution. Most importantly, the process is designed to benefit the child.
Mediation takes co-parenting out of the adversarial arena and into a cooperative, "what's best for the kids'' discussion.
2. Details for on-going parent-to-parent communication
Mediation helps to lay out the details for on-going parent-to-parent communication. At the end of the process, which can take from two to four mediation sessions, the parents have not only created their own plan for co-parenting their children, and they've also experienced a process that models how to handle future disagreements.
3. Reality testing
Assisting the parents to do 'reality testing' is one role of the mediator when creating a workable parenting plan. Reality testing involves planning for the "what ifs" that life throws your way. Because they've "seen it all" experienced mediators bring an extensive list of "what ifs" to the table for discussion and planning.
4. Results in greater satisfaction with the plan
Studies prove that parenting plans that have been developed with mediation are much more likely to be adhered to on a long-term basis as both parents crafted the agreement together.
Visit the mediation page to learn more about the Parenting Act, mediation, and the ODR approved mediators.