Majority of separated parents do not believe in ‘good separation’

Relate, the national federated charity and UK's largest provider of relationship support, has provided new statistics showing that 58% of couples do not believe in the idea of ‘good separation.'

Separation peaks in the New Year after families have spent concentrated time together over the Christmas period. Relate said that they experienced a 53% rise on their phone lines on the first Monday in January 2014 compared to the first Monday in December 2013. Similarly, appointments to speak to one of their consultants rose by 86%. This is why this week, Relate have launched their ‘Being Parents Apart' campaign. The campaign offers guidance and support to families on managing the practical and emotional realities of separation.

Just over half of separated parents surveyed said that their separation had a negative impact on their children and 85% said that it was better to tell children about the changes separation will bring to prepare them. Separation and Divorce were highlighted as not being one-off events. Of the separated parents surveyed, 40% said their separation took less than a year, 43% said 1-4 years and 10% said it took 5 years or longer. A worrying 11% felt that it was best to cut off all communication whilst 81% agreed that keeping the lines of communication open with an ex-partner was important. The majority of both mothers and fathers asked felt that parents should make decisions about their children's futures together.

Relate offer face-to-face counselling, mediation, workshops and young peoples' counselling and help over 150,000 people every year. They have over 70 centres across the country and a network of counsellors working at 600 locations as well as by phone and online.