Do children ever participate in mediation?
In instances of custody and visitation disputes, children between the ages of 4-17 may speak individually with the mediator upon agreement by the mediator and both parents/guardians. The purpose of this conversation between the mediator and the child/ren would be to check in with the child/ren and see how they are doing. The mediator would not put the child/ren in the middle of the conflict or ask them to make any decisions. They would have the same confidentiality with the same exceptions. Noah Mediation Services also works with families with young people who may be struggling with issues of truancy, running away, dating expectations, curfew, cultural differences, coming out as gay, lesbian, or transgender, etc. The mediator would follow a similar process as already outlined, meeting individually with each member of the family first (children age 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult who would wait in the reception area) and then determining the best process from there. See o
