Blog | Mediation Blog Minnesota | Bickford Mediation

Tension Level, Divorce Mediation and Church Mediation

When people are trying to work out a particularly difficult problem in mediation, whether church mediation or divorce mediation, a couple things happen. Tempers begin to flair, of course, and often cutting and/or sarcastic remarks are exchanged. What else happens? Often the fight or flight response comes on in your brain.When that happens, people have…

Spring is Almost Here. It’s Mediation Season!

It’s been a long, snowy winter here in Minnesota and many couples are feeling a bit testy. Or more than a bit. Every couple has issues, and issues don’t always have to lead to divorce and divorce mediation. Many issues can be resolved on your own without a mediator, if you are willing and able…

A Hint of Spring and Divorce Mediation

We human beings are creatures with moods that can be affected by so many things. One of the things that people seldom think of, but which can affect one’s mood dramatically is the weather. This is especially true of people who are considering separation and divorce. When we’re stressed by losing one of the most…

Co-Parenting During the Holidays (mediation can help)

The holidays are coming, and they present a unique challenge for couples who are divorced and separated. The patterns that were established when you were together are still there, and now whose house to go to has even more challenges. That’s why mediation can help. Divorce mediation or post-divorce mediation can make things a lot…

Fall and Family Disputes Need Mediation

Here we are in fall. The sun is lower and the weather cooler. It is a downer time of year for most of us. We feel cold and dread the coming of winter (all except those who like winter sports: my daughter, for example). This can affect our ability to manage our feelings with respect…

Divorce and Summer Schedules.

Greetings! I want to talk to you today about divorce, separation, mediation and summer schedules. The first thing to know is that according to Minnesota law (and I would guess most states), in a divorce the most important concern is the children (if you have any together). That means that if something is helpful for…

Mediation, Couples and Church Fights

People in churches often say to me, “how can you do divorce mediation or child custody evaluations?” Isn’t that hard? Well, yes, it can be, but the truth is church mediation is more often harder. Why? because the more people you ave involved in a conflict, the more difficult it is to resolve. The same…

Spring is Here! So is Divorce.

It’s spring and my phone is starting to ring for help with how to get divorced in Minnesota. I have been helping folks with divorce mediation for about 12 years now, and I’ve been mediating with couples on non divorce related matters for nearly 25 years. I’m happy to offer a free 1 hour divorce…

Tradition, Mediation and Church Disputes

So many church disputes are a result of folks forgetting the tried and true ways of doing things. A pastor leaves, a key member moves or passes away. In time, if a church is not careful, it can slide into a way of doing things that doesn’t work very well. That’s the bad news. The…

Emotions and Mediation

Emotions and Mediation How do your emotions affect the mediation process? Very much. But all too often they are left out of the mediation process. They are ignored. They are discounted. They are despised. Worse yet, they are elevated to the point where they are the only thing that matters. Emotions and mediation. Emotions in…