Recently, when I was completing my reading for the last CSIRO Human Research Ethics Committee meeting for the year, I came across a quote that speaks volumes.
“Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted”.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was not only a brilliant theoretical physicist. He also contributed greatly to the philosophy of science. The above quote resonates for me on many levels - not just the scientific.
At this time of supposed Joy and Good Will towards others, I couldn’t help but apply Einstein’s wisdom to the battlefield that is, too often, the context in which Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners work.
Even during mediation of parenting issues between separated couples, the bitter spectre of conflict over property, child support and spousal support too often rears its ugly head.
In the desperate clamour of parents to “get what’s fair”, their children’s most important but largely unquantifiable needs - a sense of security, unconditional love, nurturing, quality time with both parents, and the opportunity to achieve their potential - are too often lost.
It is my belief that if even one parent in every parenting dispute were to truly prioritise their children’s needs over their own (often unrealistic) financial claims, the children would come out the other side of separation and divorce feeling better about themselves and would suffer fewer mental health issues, relationship difficulties and other social problems in adulthood.
Einstein - a true visionary.
Denise Britton
Principal Brisbane Mediations
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