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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Guest: Despina Mavridou

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Executive Producer and Editor: Tiffany Richmond. You can contact Tiffany via her website and on Instagram @tiff__richmond.