BBC2 is set to air Mum and Dad are Splitting Up this Thursday (5th September 2013), which focuses on children and divorce in Britain.
It focuses on British children whose parents have divorced, and is based on interviews with them and their parents.
Director Olly Lambert explores the children’s experiences of their parents’ divorce.
He was inspired to make the programme from his own experience of his parents’ divorce.
The families sit down together and the children ask their parents some difficult questions and the documentary examines the far reaching effects that divorce has on children.
The Guardian describes the documentary as “required viewing for any divorcing couples who have consoled themselves with the thought that the kids would cope just fine”. However, it concludes that “the talking, when it happens, definitely helps.”
Samantha Lee, expert divorce solicitor at Swain & Co in Hampshire, says, “Divorce is an emotionally difficult time for all the family so it will be interesting to view children’s experiences of their parents’ divorce and perhaps the longer lasting effects which tend not to be thought of.”
Samantha is also a family mediator who is trained to carry out child inclusive mediation.
Children may feel that they have divided loyalties, wishing to please both parents which can often leave parents feeling confused by conflicting stories.
The law states that when parents are making decisions affecting their children, wherever possible the wishes, views and feelings of children should be heard and taken into account.
The aim of child inclusive mediation is to give children a voice and let them express how they feel and know what is going on. But, ultimately the decision making process resides with the parents.
Samantha adds, “This is a chance for children person who is a trained mediator but is impartial, to ensure that they feel their thoughts and feelings have been taken into consideration at a time when they may feel that they have no control over what is happening to them and their family.”
If you would like to learn more about Family Mediation, see our dedicated website www.whatisfamilymediation.com