"Do children attend mediation sessions? What is included in a co-parenting plan?"

Occasionally, it may be necessary to include children; however, the mediator ensures that the needs and concerns of all people affected by this process and its outcome are addressed. If, for some reason, the parties and the mediator agree that children's needs would be better served by participating in the mediation process, they take steps to do so, usually after two or three sessions with the parents have been completed.

Mediators help parents work out a co-parenting plan, so that the children experience as little disruption as possible under the circumstances. Issues that such a plan addresses include:

• How to stop fighting with your spouse
• Helping your children deal with the changes
• Recognizing and helping children deal with their fears about separation
• Contingency plans The parenting plan is customized and can be specific and detailed with room for flexibility.

Itasha O'Gilvie is a divorce mediator with Toronto mediation firm Take 2 Mediation. She can be reached at (866) 640-4760 or (416) 913 1701. View her Divorce Magazine profile.

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