Family mediation is a collaborative, neutral process that helps families resolve conficts and tackle sensitive topics in an effective way. It’s also a fantastic way for members of your family to build trust, relationships, and communication with each other. Sounds great, right? You might be wondering if it’s the right option for your family or whether it’s even worth considering. After all, wouldn’t it be easier just to put the problems on a list and work through them one by one? There are plenty of arguments to be made either way but this article will explore some benefts of using family mediation as well as useful tips for getting the most out of your session.
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that uses a neutral third-party mediator to help people work out their own solutions to problems. Family mediation can be used for all types of relationships, but it is particularly common for parents, children, and extended family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mediation is typically initiated by one person in a dispute, who chooses to approach the other party to open a dialogue and explore options for resolving the confict. In cases of family mediation, this process takes a slightly different form. Instead of just two people meeting to discuss their differences, mediation typically involves both sides of the family and a neutral third party.
Why Use Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a great option for anyone who feels that family relationships are worth repairing but not worth risking with a lawsuit or other legal battle. If you or the people in your family have already tried to talk things out to no avail, you may want to consider family mediation. It’s a helpful alternative to screaming matches and long-winded, unproductive arguments.
3 Tips for Successful Family Mediation
There are a few things you can do to get the most out of your mediation session.
Get on the same page as a team beforehand – If you choose to bring your entire family into the mediation, you should all be on the same page about the issues at hand and what you hope to gain from the process. Make sure to get all of your communication out in the open and explore the issues that separate you before you sit down with the mediator.
Do your research – Familiarize yourself with the process before you dive in. Familiarize yourself with the mediator and her/his process, understand the benefts and drawbacks of mediation, and know how mediation compares to other forms of confict resolution.
Be open-minded – Whether you’re sitting down with a few family members or the entire clan, you should be prepared to be open-minded. Don’t go in with a chip on your shoulder, ready to launch into a defensive tirade at the frst sign of disagreement. Be ready to listen to perspectives and ideas you may not have considered before.
Key Takeaway
Ultimately, family mediation is a great option for anyone who feels that family relationships are worth repairing but not worth risking with a lawsuit or other legal battle. If you or the people in your family have already tried to talk things out to no avail, you may want to consider family mediation. It’s a helpful alternative to screaming matches and long-winded, unproductive arguments. If you and your family members feel ready to move beyond past arguments and start building healthy, trusting relationships, consider settling your disagreements in a mediated setting.