Divorce Mediation and Children  Divorce is an emotional time for
everyone who goes through it.  When most people think of
divorce, they think of long, painful litigation on top of the
already painful emotions they are experiencing as a result of
the separation from their life partner. Mediation provides an
alternative approach that is good for parents, and especially
beneficial for their children.  Mediation offers a less hostile
environment than litigation. Neither parent is attacked the way
they would be in court where the sole goal often becomes
winning. The child can become the trophy and both sides often
lose sight of what is most important- reaching an amicable and
workable agreement for the parents AND the children.  In custody
disputes, lawyers may be tempted to have children testify as to
whom they want to live with or to other pertinent facts. The
child is already enduring a traumatic experience seeing the
family unit split up. If they become pawns in the litigation
process, it can only make matters