In this interview Scott Docherty talks with Sue Atkins, parenting expert and coach, best-selling author of Parenting Made Easy and a huge amount of similar resources, and regular on ITV’s “This Morning” show as well as on Sky and BBC Radio.
Sue talks passionately about parenting apart and talking to your kids after separation. Her down-to-earth, common sense advice will strike right at the heart of what you may be going through right now in your separation, coming as it does from her deep well of experience and training. The important point she asks you to think carefully about is that your best chance of getting through everything in a time of stress and turmoil, including working out how to communicate with your children and your ex-partner or spouse, is to start looking after yourself. Although the advice and the shoulder to cry on provided by family and friends can be vital, Sue asks you to think about some coaching even if that’s online – and shake off that image you might have that it’s only celebrities who instruct life coaches, because getting emotional and practical help from a professional who knows what you’re going through and can look more objectively at how you can pull through it, could very well leave you with the peace you’ve been striving for.
Scott is a Partner in our Dumbarton office. He is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland in family mediation, is a member of CALM Scotland (Comprehensive Accredited Lawyer Mediators) and the Family Law Association, a Trustee of the Scottish Mediation Network, and was the first Scottish member of the Voices In The Middle campaign helping to ensure a voice and support for kids in separation. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of Voices In The Middle. Scott is happy to accept referrals for all types of family mediations, including those relating to children and finances, and also undertakes private client work which includes executries, wills, powers of attorney, guardianships and intervention orders, and adoptions.
Scott makes the daily trek in to the office from his house in Glasgow, where he lives with his wife and son. Outside of the law he enjoys football (for personal safety reasons he has left out his team persuasion!), web design, and a social life which leaves him little time to relax!
He is presently Librarian to the Faculty of Solicitors of Dunbartonshire, a member of the Dumbarton Burns Club and Dumbarton Salmon Club, and also has a hand in organising the Firm’s involvement in local charitable donation and sponsorship
Memberships
- Member of CALM Scotland
- Advisory Board Member of Voices In The Middle
- Trustee of Scottish Mediation Network
- Member of the Family Law Association
Links
- Scott’s mediation website – theCALMmediator.com
- Daily Online Newspaper – “Separate Mediate Move On”
- CALM Scotland mediator profile – Learn more about Scott’s work in family mediation
Publications
- How To Talk To Your Kids About Separation – Available on Amazon