Saturday, November 07, 2009

Impediments To Communication

Written by Kimberly Kick, co owner of All About The Children

I write this as I sit at the Annual meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. All About The Children had the privilege of setting up a table outside of the presentation area. What interests me from this experience is the feedback we received from various professionals who stopped by to chat with us. Most of them were lawyers, however there were a handful of mediators and mental health professionals.

The feedback received indicated the need professionals saw for there to be a communication tool that divorced couples can use. What was disheartening was the jaded opinion that no matter what communication tool you encouraged some divorce couples to use, no difference would be made with parents who refuse to pay for their children, attend visitation sporadically, and refuse to put the needs of the children first.

This left me pondering what factors contribute to keeping the hostility and anger so alive between some divorced couples. Why can’t some people see the damage that is caused by irresponsible behavior and actions? Why isn’t the focus the needs of the children and not the needs of the adults?

I’m interested in receiving feedback. Tell me what you think. What factors contribute to keeping unproductive and unhealthy behaviors alive between divorced couples?