Improving Communication In The New Year
We all are guilty of making new year’s resolutions and by the time February rolls around, those resolutions are forgotten. If one of your goals for 2022 is to improve communication with your spouse (or your ex), then consider working with the team at Johnson Mediation. We specialize in divorce mediation and parenting support services that can help families navigate complex and difficult situations with less conflict. We work with couples who have made the difficult decision to divorce, individuals who are co-parenting after a breakup or divorce, or families who are simply trying to make some big decisions about the future. With everything going on around us, schedule changes are huge.
Even when we know that it is in our best interest to end our marriage, and maybe even especially when our marriage ends on good terms with our spouse, life after divorce can be much more difficult than we expect. Johnson Mediation understands the complex emotions and practical matters that occur in so many people following their divorce, and as a result, we offer our expertise in the form of post-divorce support.
Divorce can be difficult no matter what time of year, but if you have recently separated or are in the process of finalizing your divorce, it can be even more stressful and emotionally draining for everyone involved. The holidays conjure up feelings of love, family and gathering together, and divorce complicates that narrative. Letting go of the idea of a perfect holiday is the first thing that you can do to cope. Remember to put your children first and foremost. Here are some other tips for surviving the holiday season during a divorce:
Have you decided to try mediation to settle the terms of your divorce, instead of heading through the court system? This is a very wise decision and one that is even endorsed by the Minnesota courts. The court system simply cannot accommodate all divorce cases and many of these cases can be resolved without hiring lawyers and waiting on courtroom and judge availability. So, how do you find a mediator near you that is experienced, competent, and knowledgeable about Minnesota law and is compassionate, kind and easy to connect with?
As we have faced the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 15-18 months, many things have successfully moved online, some more easily and successfully than others. You may now be able to see your health care provider virtually, without setting foot into their office. Your children may have attended school virtually and, for many families, this may have proved extremely successful or extremely challenging. We can also order groceries online and pick them up without going into the store and complete banking transactions with the touch of a button. Virtual transactions and services are likely here to stay
Was the main driver in your decision to divorce related to intense conflict, anger, and fighting in your marriage? Did you feel like you and your partner could not agree on anything and fought about even the smallest issues? If you have decided to divorce after high levels of conflict in your marriage, you may assume that your only option is to proceed through the court system. However, litigation can actually make the conflict even worse. The foundation of litigation is winning or losing. You end up fighting hard and battling over issues like dividing property, child custody and spousal support.
