Divorce and Separation Giving Kids a Voice: Despina Mavridou on Divorce and it's Emotional Toll
I sit down with Despina Mavridou, author of "Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me?", about her personal experience growing up in the middle of her parents' high-conflict divorce. Despina shares her powerful story from being a child used as a messenger between her parents to becoming a mediator and advocate for kids in similar situations.
Key discussions:
- Despina opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of being caught in her parents' conflict and the toll it took on her as a child.
- The devastating effects of using children as messengers and the impact it has on their sense of responsibility and guilt.
- How parents can better support their children during separation by being mindful of their emotional needs and avoiding placing them in the middle of conflicts.
- Despina shares how her childhood shaped her adult relationships, including her fear of abandonment and the impact of divorce on her own marriage.
- Practical advice for parents navigating separation, including seeking help before mediation and focusing on the kids' well-being.
- Despina's hope that her book will give children a voice and help parents understand the long-lasting effects of divorce on their kids.
If you're navigating your own separation and wondering how to help your children through this difficult time, this conversation is a must-listen.
You can find Despina's book *Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me?* on Amazon, in English, Portuguese, and Greek.
Resources: - "Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me?" by Despina Mavridou - Divorce and Separation Hub: www.divorceandseparationhub.com
Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.
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Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.
Sign up to "How to Tell Your Kids You're Separating Program" HERE.
Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.
Guest: Despina Mavridou
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Buy "Mum, Dad, Can you Hear Me?" HERE.
Executive Producer and Editor: Tiffany Richmond. You can contact Tiffany via her website and on Instagram @tiff__richmond.