Conflict occurs when a person believes that another has different and incompatible interests, principles or needs from their own. For example, James believes that the children should spend half of the children’s March Break with each parent whereas Lynn that the children should spend the entire March Break with her one year and with James the following year.

To successfully resolve this issue, it would be important for James and Lynn to first hear why the other feels the way they do.

How Do You Cope With Conflict?

  • Avoid it?
  • Ignore it?
  • Deny it?
  • Cry & Sulk?
  • Use Guilt?
  • Give in?
  • Make Excuses?
  • Criticize?
  • Make jokes?
  • Get angry?
  • Change the subject?
  • Use the past?
  • Try intimidation?
  • Compromise?

All of these responses to conflict are unproductive.

Face To Face Mediation believes that conflict can be positive. By helping parties understand how they, as well as the other party, manage conflict, a new perspective of the situation develops. When this occurs, it becomes easier to focus, clarify and discuss the issues that brought the parties into mediation.