The FDR Collective

We are delighted to be recognised again by our Family Law peers in Doyle’s Guide 2024

Congratulations, Cath Devine, on the launch of your long-anticipated book, ‘A Practical Guide to Child Support’.

Devine's Guide is such a valuable resource.

To purchase your copy(ies): https://www.devinesguide.com.au/

We love this new addition to our office décor.

As mediators, our role is to assist clients in exploring their underlying needs, which can often differ from what they want.

This print is on a wall in a room you would not expect, so the next time you are in our chambers, try to find it!

It was a fantastic couple of days in Hobart at the Pacifica Congress Conference - catching up with colleagues and connecting with new family law collaborators. Also, enjoying the beautiful scenery and great dining.

Language is powerful.

How we communicate in family law matters can impact the mediation process and the ongoing co-parenting relationship.

Celebrating another year of collaboration in our FDR Chambers facilitating parenting and property mediation, child-inclusive FDR, parties only and lawyer-assisted.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season. Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to continuing to work together in the new year.

We are thrilled to announce that The FDR Collective – Wendy Gaddie, Vanessa Simon, and Larissa Goldberg – have all been recognised in Doyle’s list of Leading Family Law Mediators – Victoria, 2023

Our last post outlined some books for parents. We also recommend resources for kids. Some are specific to separation, and others to emotional well-being generally. We find the stories and messages often resonate with parents too.

Recommendations include:

· How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods by Saxton Preymann
An excellent way for kids of all ages to identify different emotions using the expressive “faces” of fruit and vegetables! There are also various videos of the books being read aloud on YouTube.

· Questions and Answers About Separation for Children is a free publication on the Australian Government’s Family Relationships Online website. This book attempts to answer commonly asked questions in simple terms.

· Sesame Street in Communities – Dealing with Divorce
Various online resources for parents and children aged 2 – 8 years, including videos, songs, printable stories, colouring books, and multimedia apps.

· Tommy & Tiger Terry by Darren Mort
Tommy is a boy in a war zone between his separated parents. As Tommy navigates his daily split, he calls on his friend, Tiger Terry, to try and make sense of it all.

· Two Birthday Cakes and Two Birthday Cakes and Baby Jack by Danielle Jaku-Greenfield
A story about how two kids came to have two homes and two of everything (and then a little brother). A simple picture book about issues that arise from a family breakdown.

· A Little Spark by Barry Jonsberg
A warm and funny novel for 10 - 14-year-olds about separation and blended families.

Following on from our recent posts about resources to assist parents post-separation, we also recommend a range of books. Some are specific to parenting after separation, and others to parenting generally.

These include:

Because it’s for the Kids – Building a secure parenting base after separation is a free publication by Professor Jennifer McIntosh of Children Beyond Dispute. It is also available on the Australian Government’s Family Relationships Online website (FRO).

BIFF for CoParent Communications: Your Guide to Difficult Texts, Emails and Social Media Posts by Annette Burns, Bill Eddy, and Kevin Chafin.

Children and separation is a free publication available on the FRO website

How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen, so Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber

While separation ends the parents’ adult relationship, their co-parenting relationship is ongoing.

Positive communication is the foundation of a workable co-parenting relationship.

Co-parenting communication apps can assist parents.

Features of apps can include shared calendars, message and expense logs, and information sharing/storage. Some apps also prevent messages from being amended or deleted.

We encourage parents to consider using an app such as:

· Our Family Wizard

· TalkingParents

· 2Houses

· WeParent

· Parentship

· Cozi

· FamCal

· Coparently

· Baby Connect

Our role as FDRPs extends beyond the mediation room. As part of the pre-mediation process, we provide resources and referrals to help parents adjust to separation and develop their co-parenting relationship. This can include parenting programs.

In our experience, parents find it more
convenient to complete online programs in their own time and at their own pace.

Programs we recommend include:

1. RelationSpace Online
A comprehensive interactive program for separating parents developed by Dr Catherine Boland. Its focus is on their communications, their children and avoiding litigation.

2. Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)
Proven, positive tips that can help every family. It helps parents to support their children’s development, grow closer and solve problems – positively.

3. YCIDS (Young Children in Divorce and Separation)
A short program for separated parents of very young children (0 – 4 years) developed by Professor Jennifer McIntosh. It provides valuable insights and information about early child development and the needs of very young children adjusting to separation, including two homes.

We had a fantastic 3 days of PD and catching up with colleagues in Adelaide.

We are well and truly settled into our new chambers. We are loving our office spaces and location and writing on our whiteboard walls! Great food and coffee all around us.

WE CAN’T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR NEW PURPOSE-BUILT MEDIATION CHAMBERS IN THE NEW YEAR

128A WATTLETREE ROAD, MALVERN

We are so excited to announce that Vanessa Goldin Simon and Larissa Goldberg have been recognised in Doyle’s list of Leading Family Law Mediators - Victoria, 2022.

As mediators and family dispute resolution practitioners, we assist parties to better understand their underlying interests and, in doing so, move them from their entrenched positions.

The benefits of family dispute resolution/mediation are well recognised.

It’s not a question of whether to mediate but when.

The timing of mediation is a crucial factor influencing the likelihood of settlement, and early mediation leads to better outcomes.

The FDR Collective is eBrief Ready

The Family Law Case Management Central Practice Direction (5.37) requires parties who participate in private mediation or external FDR to provide the mediator/FDRP with a brief of all relevant court and other documents

In the latest edition of Australian Family Lawyer (Volume 30, Issue 2), we answer some of the most common questions and statements we encounter as FDRPs.

Available for download - members can follow this link for access https://lnkd.in/dA9qZEK

If you have any other questions, please get in touch.