How to Prepare for Child Custody Negotiations in Mediation

The topic of child custody can quickly become emotional, leading to some challenges in a mediation setting. It’s important you arrive at your mediation session prepared to have some difficult conversations.

Here are a few tips to help you arrive ready to discuss the issues.

• Get some sleep: You’re not doing anyone (including yourself) any favors if you show up unrested and on edge. Do your best to get some sleep the night before—this will help you stay calm and attentive during your session.
• Stay focused on the kids: The point of child custody arrangements isn’t for you to get what you want; it’s to do what’s best for your kids. This can be a difficult thing to remember and focus on in the moment. But it requires you to keep an open mind and realize that in most cases children are best served by having time to spend with both of their parents.
• Practice empathy: Again, this can be easier said than done in a divorce setting, but try your best to be empathetic and consider your spouse’s position. This will help negotiations go much smoother.
• Have ideas in mind: If you come with a few potential proposals to discuss, this can cut down on the amount of brainstorming you have to do in the session itself. Custody ideas should include how you’ll handle transitions, how you’ll split costs, how you’ll divide holidays and special occasions, how you’ll deal with schedule adjustments when they arise, how you’ll communicate with each other for coparenting purposes and any other logistical issues you think should be covered.

For more tips about how you can arrive feeling fully prepared for child custody negotiations, contact an experienced Long Island divorce mediation attorney at Solutions Divorce Mediation.