Information for Children/Teenagers
If your parents are splitting up then you may have lots of questions and different feelings.
Some good things to remember
Try to tell your parents how you are feeling but if that is difficult then it can be a good idea to talk to someone else as well.
How does mediation help
We help mums and dads to talk together and make arrangements that work best for their family. We try to stop them arguing so much and passing messages through the children or asking children to take sides and try to help them understand how all the changes are affecting the children.
You can talk to a mediator too
As part of mediation we ask parents if their children would like to meet with the mediator(unless they are very young). This gives you a change to talk on your own about what's important to you. You decide whether you want any of this shared with your mum and dad(which often helps) or not.
Other people who can help
Childline - 24 hour free helpline 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Relate - counselling for young people - 0800 980 5907
National Youth Advocacy Service - information, advice and help if you need someone to speak for you - 0800 616 101
NSPCC - Child Protection helpline - 0800 800 500
counselling, information and advice for children at risk of abuse
Message Home helpline - 0800 700 740
For those who have left home or run away to send a message to their family or carers, and to get help and advice.
www.missingpeople.org.uk/areyoumissing/message-home
Websites
www.itsnotyourfault.org.uk - practical information on coping with separation and divorce, to help you deal with feelings and problems
www.thehideout.org.uk - help and support for young people experiencing violence in their home
youth2youth.co.uk - telephone and online help for young people run by young people aged 16-21 who have been specially trained.
Tel: 020 8896 3675(Monday and Thursday: 6:30-9:30pm).
If your parents are splitting up then you may have lots of questions and different feelings.
Some good things to remember
- It's not your fault when parents fall out
- Life can get better although it all feels strange just now
- You cannot fix everything
- If your parents split up they will still be your mum and dad.
Try to tell your parents how you are feeling but if that is difficult then it can be a good idea to talk to someone else as well.
- Friends
- Aunts and uncles
- Gran or granddad
- A friend's mum
- Teachers
How does mediation help
We help mums and dads to talk together and make arrangements that work best for their family. We try to stop them arguing so much and passing messages through the children or asking children to take sides and try to help them understand how all the changes are affecting the children.
You can talk to a mediator too
As part of mediation we ask parents if their children would like to meet with the mediator(unless they are very young). This gives you a change to talk on your own about what's important to you. You decide whether you want any of this shared with your mum and dad(which often helps) or not.
Other people who can help
Childline - 24 hour free helpline 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Relate - counselling for young people - 0800 980 5907
National Youth Advocacy Service - information, advice and help if you need someone to speak for you - 0800 616 101
NSPCC - Child Protection helpline - 0800 800 500
counselling, information and advice for children at risk of abuse
Message Home helpline - 0800 700 740
For those who have left home or run away to send a message to their family or carers, and to get help and advice.
www.missingpeople.org.uk/areyoumissing/message-home
Websites
www.itsnotyourfault.org.uk - practical information on coping with separation and divorce, to help you deal with feelings and problems
www.thehideout.org.uk - help and support for young people experiencing violence in their home
youth2youth.co.uk - telephone and online help for young people run by young people aged 16-21 who have been specially trained.
Tel: 020 8896 3675(Monday and Thursday: 6:30-9:30pm).