The Volunteers of America DRC serving Snohomish and Island counties faced a challenging situation when they learned that separated parents, Misty and Michael, were communicating by passing notes through their children. Read their story.
Communication breakdown
Misty and Michael were married for six years and separated for the past two years. Both parents were determined to be actively involved in raising their two adorable little boys. As their relationship deteriorated, Misty and Michael stopped talking to one another and resorted to communicating by passing notes back and forth through their children.
Unfortunately, mediators at the DRC often encounter this type of communication breakdown, when people who once were close lose the ability to communicate after the relationship sours.
The parents begin to talk
Once they started mediation Misty and Michael reached a few basic agreements. It was hard work, the couple needed to address some important issues in their past before they were able to look to the future. And even then, they were looking at a future apart—but hopefully unified, for the sake of their two sons.
After their initial mediation, the parents achieved a preliminary agreement. They scheduled a second mediation a month out to give them time to see how their parenting plan was working before finalizing the plan and making it permanent.
A second session leads to productive peace
During Misty and Michael’s second session they worked really well with the mediators’ assistance and completed the parenting plan to be filed with the courts. To transition from passing notes through their children to having face-to-face discussions about bedtimes and routines was a huge success for Misty and Michael. Going forward, the parents agreed to meet every six months to revisit their schedule and plan and talk together—face-to-face.
Mediation can work wonders
If you’re facing a communication breakdown, contact the Volunteers of America DRC at 1-800-280-4770. Or, view our Membership Directory to locate a DRC in your area.