Be kind to yourself: Prioritising your own wellbeing and family relationships

However, once all the stresses and strains of modern life encroach on us again, how easy will it be to keep that outlook and protect ourselves?

A truism about wellbeing is that it is most needed in the most challenging times of our lives. Therefore, seeking the most person-centred approach to all of life’s most challenging events can reap rewards in the long term.

Nowhere is this more true than in the field of family relationships and particularly when those break down and external help is needed. Dealing with courts and lawyers is not normally seen as life affirming by the majority of users even if they are leaving an unhappy marriage or relationship. In some cases, it truly cannot be avoided but the emotional (as well as financial) cost of a relationship breakdown can be reduced by resolving matters through mediation.

Issues that are important to people, but are not considered to be important to the court, can be dealt with and there is an emphasis on listening and understanding. You can set the timetable and agenda. Mediation is not an easy option because the painful and the difficult have to be confronted but in a secure and protected environment, this can enable people to resolve their matters and move on practically and emotionally.

How Blake Morgan can help

Christine Plews is writing a series of blogs for Family Mediation Week, which is 18-22 January 2021, and they will be published on Monday through to Friday. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of mediation and how it can help separating families manage their issues collaboratively and productively.

Christine is a vastly experienced family lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in this area. She is highly ranked and recommended in legal directories. Christine was a partner at Blake Morgan LLP until 2019 when she became a Consultant specialising in mediation.

Please do get in touch to find out more about family mediation.

You can read the other articles written during Family Mediation Week here:

• My life is on hold because of court delays
• Can you change mediator?
• When you need more than a mediator
• An insight into child inclusive mediation