© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon1 After the Storm Resolving Post-Separation Conflict

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© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon3 The High Conflict Parent n How many divorcing parents are HIGH CONFLICT?

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1© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

After the Storm

Resolving Post-SeparationConflict

2© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

The High Conflict Parent Range of Behaviors (Johnston)

1. Verbal sniping, passive aggression

2. Arguments, interference3. Aggression via the courts4. Threats, stalking5. Property damage6. Physical violence, murder

3© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

The High Conflict Parent How many divorcing parents are

HIGH CONFLICT?

80%

10% 10%Low, Settle

Low, Court

High, Court

4© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

The High Conflict Parent Costs (to parents)

attorneys, mediators, evaluators

therapists, counselors time lost from work (e.g,

hearings)

5© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

The High Conflict Parent Costs (to parents), cont’d

day care supervised visitation drug/alcohol monitoring lowered functioning

6© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

The High Conflict Parent Public costs (taxpayers)

Court, judge, magistrate, security

Evaluation, mediation, counselors

Guardian ad litem Children’s services Schools

7© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

The High Conflict Parent Costs to Your Children

Fear and worry Loyalty tug-of-war Anger and confusion Emotional trauma, stress Health problems School problems Future relationship problems

8© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Reasons for Conflict

Failing the Tasks of Divorce1. Unable to accept the failure of the marriage

In emotional shockCan’t recognize both are woundedFault finding, blaming, revengeCan’t see both points of viewFeeling personally rejectedWon’t seek personal help

9© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Reasons for Conflict

2. Unable to recognize the divorce as a family crisis

Failure to protect the childrenFailure to plan for financial

healthFailure to plan the process of

uncoupling

10© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Reasons for Conflict

3. Unable to Perform the Psychological Tasks of Divorce

Limit and structure contact with “ex” Find safe outlet for strong emotions Find sounding board Get help: Legal, psychological Healthy perspective: Healing vs.

revenge Separate parenting from marital roles

11© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Stages of Grief

1. Denial2. Anger3. Bargaining4. Depression5. Acceptance,moving on

12© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Assumptions of Conflicted Parents “My needs are more important.” “The other parent cannot be

trusted.” “The other parent is a danger to

my child.” “My child will benefit in spite of

conflict.”

13© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Assumptions of Conflicted Parents “Only my view of my child’s

needs is valid.” “My child must have one house,

one set of goals, one set of rules.”

“My attorney must represent my interests at all costs”

14© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Assumptions of Conflicted Parents “The court must validate my point

of view.” “I may need to expend all

assets.” “Any level of anger/violence is

justified.” “Any reasonable person would

agree with me.”

15© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

4. Resolving blame and guiltTry these sentence completions (and

share with other parent)

1. I am angry at you for _____________________

2. I am angry at myself for _____________________

16© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

4. Resolving blame and guilt, cont’d

3. I should have ________________________

4. You should have ________________________

5. I wish we could have ________________________

17© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

4. Resolving blame and guilt, cont’d6. I am sorry for________________

7. I want you to acknowledge __________________________

8. I feel that you owe me_________

9. I feel that I owe you ___________

18© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

4. Resolving blame and guilt, cont’d

10. I need to forgive myself for _________________

11. I need to forgive you for ___________________

19© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

4. Resolving blame and guilt, cont’d

12. By knowing you, I learned and gained the following _____________________

13. I have enriched you in the following ways ____________________

20© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

4. Resolving blame and guilt, cont’d

14. I wish _____________________

15. I also wish _____________________

21© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

6. Increasing Child Focus

Verbal or written exercise for parents (only include what both parents agree on)

A. We have the following goals and hopes for

our children:

22© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

6. Increasing Child Focus, cont’d

B. When our children become adults and look back on this period in their lives, we would like them to be able to say the following about us as parents:

23© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

6. Increasing Child Focus, cont’d

C. We as parents can achieve the two

items above by doing the following together:

24© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Ways to Avoid Conflict Limit contact with your “ex” Safe emotional outlet Find a “sounding board” Legal, psychological help Healing vs. revenge Parenting vs. marital roles

25© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT

26© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT1. Why are these parents

in conflict?

2. What “buttons” do they push?

27© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT

28© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPTn What is each person

thinking and feeling?1. Wayne, the father2. Karen, the mother3. Bob, the boyfriend4. Sarah, the daughter

29© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Court Options Temporary rulings Restraining orders Case management Court-ordered services

Education Mental health Evaluations

30© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Court Options Mental Health

Co-parenting coordinators Supervised visitation Family, individual therapy

31© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Court Options Child and Family Evaluations

Home-based & behavioralFocus on child’s needsAssess parent’s capabilitiesAssess causes, cures of

conflictParents need accurate view

of child and selvesShould lead to a flexible plan

32© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Moderate Court Options Education classes Mediation Collaborative Law Safe exchanges

33© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Conflict Reduction1. Both parents need information

on potential harm of conflict2. Respond without escalation3. Learn communication skills4. Resolve blame and guilt5. Focusing on the future6. Increasing focus on children

34© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Types of conflict Destructive conflict

focus on winning (and retaliating for loss)

proving who is right Constructive conflict

focus on problem solving

35© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Using “Akido” Accept conflict, move it out of

harm’s way Center yourself; take deep breaths Don’t get defensive; accept other’s

concern Remain detached; ask questions Work with other vs. challenging

them

36© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Communication skills Make agenda, stay on one

topic Use “I” messages Use “Active Listening” Ask “open-ended”

questions

37© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

“I” messages• 1. Simple statement about

how you feel:• “I feel really frustrated when

you……”

• 2. Simple request for a behavior change

• “I would like it if you could……”

38© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Active listening1. Listen to what the other

person just said

2. Calmly say back what you think you heard

3. Ask if you got it right

39© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Open-ended questions1. Ask what the children

need2. Ask what the other parent

needs3. Ask how you can meet

those needs

40© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPTThe High-Conflict

Exchange

41© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT1. What skills did you see

each adult use?2. What skills does each

need to use?3. What is the daughter

feeling this time?

42© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Parallel Parenting Agree on common goals

and standards Negotiate how to reach

goals for children Communicate only about

parenting activities Business-like relationship

43© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT

AnExample of

ParallelParenting

44© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT

What caused this problem?

What is each person thinking & feeling?

45© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT

ParallelParenting:

A Better Way

46© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT

Mom’s Use of Skills: Supervised Sean Praised Sean Clear expectations Consequences

47© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPTParallel Parenting:

AnotherBetter Way

48© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPTMom’s Use of Skills: Took responsibility “I” message, request Business-like tone Active listening Cooperative alliance

49© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

VIDEO EXCERPT

Dad’s Use of Skills: Frequent

communication Safe format for

communication

50© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Helping Children Adjust Avoid Conflict

Carrying message Money issues Criticisms of the other parent Quizzing about the other

parent

51© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Helping Children Adjust Loss of Contact

Phone calls Emails Web cameras Pictures Calendars Audio tapes

52© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Focus on the Future

We cannot change the past.

We can control the future.

53© 2002, Jack Arbuthnot & Donald A. Gordon

Further Information

The Center for Divorce EducationP.O. Box 5900

Athens, OH 45701

740-594-7173

www.divorce-education.com

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