Children and New Partners

When separated parents re-partner, their children react in a range of ways - some healthy and others destructive.

Each child's unique grief reaction and adjustment to their parents' separation should be considered before introducing them to even the idea of new partners.

After separation, it is most important to maintain open communication between children and parents. Whilst being as honest as possible with them, however, parents should not expect their children to instantly applaud or even accept a decision to re-partner, especially if the other parent sees the new partner as responsible for the end of the relationship. Similarly, children should not be expected to immediately treat a parent's new partner as a parent.

If expected to cope with such a major change prematurely, there is a risk that children will recoil from or even refuse a relationship with the re-parenting parent and that they will align themselves - sometimes exclusively - with the other parent.

The good news is that given time and sensitive support children can adapt to new parenting situations, including quite complex blended families in more than one household. The key to success is to introduce such changes at the child's pace, with support, and with sensitivity.

As children are treated with respect by new partners, trust can grow and relationships independent of either parent will hopefully develop. This process cannot be forced and relies on the maturity and patience of the re-parenting parent, step-parent and, of course, the other parent.

Denise Britton - Co-Principal, Brisbane Mediations

Mediation Across the Board

As indicated in our email address - resolve@brisbanemediations.com.au - we resolve conflict.

Conflict between, for example:

Separated Couples

Married, de-facto, casual, same sex, younger, older and all ages in between. About property, children and any other issues that might have arisen as a result of the breakdown of the relationship.

Extended Family Members

Over estate division and administration, care of elderly relatives, running family businesses and any matter likely to cause disagreement within a family.

Couples in Love

Prior to marriage or co-habitation. Over property, blending families or any disagreement which might occur within a relationships. Sometimes in the context of pre-nuptial or co-habitation agreement discussions.

Workers

Between bosses and staff, co-workers, workers and contractors, workers and customers/clients or between managers. These disputes have the potential to reduce productivity, raise insurance and litigation budgets and destroy lives.

Members of School Communities

Between teachers and students, parents, other teachers, principals or management. Between boards of directors and management and between parents and other parents or students and other students. Over everything from bullying claims to appeals against appointment of staff.

Businesses

Over interpretation of contracts and leases and all manner of issues that can develop in the course of running a business.

Denise Britton
Co-principal
Brisbane Mediations