Belang van het kind

Offer

Interest of the child

For children, the divorce of the parents is often a sudden, but in any case usually a radical change in their lives. Divorce is always difficult.

A divorce can therefore evoke various feelings and reactions in children: sadness, anger, feelings of guilt, frustrations, behavioral problems, loyalty problems. When researchers ask children: What does the divorce mean to you?” then kids say two things: the divorce and the arrangements.

The way the divorce proceeds is important. And the way everything is arranged is important. Of course every child thinks it's unfair that their parents are separating, but understanding why and being loved makes them resilient. Children want to feel safe and loved. They want to fit in.

Children are not passive beings undergoing the events around them. Children feel better when they talk to their parents about the divorce, when they know why their parents are divorcing, when they count in the settlements, and when their parents don't argue about them. Then they can handle the divorce much better. Talking about the divorce, not seeing themselves as to blame for the divorce and being included encourages their resilience. Children can cope better with the burden of divorce if they:

say how they experience the divorce;
have a good explanation for the divorce;
know that they are not to blame for the divorce;
express their concerns about practical arrangements;
find that their parents take their proposals about the arrangements into account;
not be caught up in lingering arguments between their parents.

Sometimes one parent wishes to move and the other parent wishes to prevent the move with the children. This also creates feelings of powerlessness in children, among other things.

If your child has questions about the divorce and wants to make his/her wishes known about the (international) parenting plan, then your child can come and talk. This applies to children of any age.

SYNTAGMA offers both professional child and parent guidance. Whether this is necessary before, during or after the divorce, appointments for this can usually be scheduled at short notice.

Interest of the child

Testimonials

I with Brigitte, many years ago, as part of our very first cross-border family mediation training.

Over the years, I have been able to refer very sensitive cases to her, which have always been handled with great professionalism and listening.

In the context of the international training I directly organize, I always have Brigitte present as one of my favorite trainers. The feedback I get, from colleagues of different nationalities and cultures, is always enthusiastic. She manages to be enthusing and above all she is never 'rigid' in her approach. She modifies content and schemes as required, which is not at all common.

MARZIA GHIGLIAZZA – Senior Partner avvocata mediatric cross-border

Birgitte is a very experienced professional and trainer in international mediation who fascinates participants with new approaches in her work. The last training, I visited was about mindfulness and mediation, especially international mediation. She found the way to show us the connection between two worlds we all know separately.

Ana Piernas López – Abogada & Rechtsanwältin Cross-Border Mediator

Interest of the child

Professional associations

Birgitte is a member of the following professional associations and networks.

EU-NIM

IFMI

Mediation

Offer

Interest of the child