How New Ways For Families helped one parent through separation

How support from Shared Parenting Scotland and the New Ways for Families training programme helped one family reduce conflict, agree priorities and build a better future for their children.

Family separation can be one of the most challenging experiences a family will face. The emotional strain, uncertainty and practical decisions can feel overwhelming as parents adjust to a new family situation and work out how best to support their children.

Even when both parents want the best for their children, finding a constructive way through disagreements and establishing a new way of working together can be difficult.

Gavin’s experience shows how the right support can help parents navigate these challenges, find common ground and move forward with their children’s needs at the heart of their decisions.

Right support at the right time

Gavin describes the challenges of navigating family separation and the difference that engaging with Shared Parenting Scotland made to him. The support helped him feel better equipped, both mentally and practically, to manage the changes and challenges facing his family.

The New Ways for Families course built on that support, giving Gavin practical tools and the confidence to communicate more constructively with his former partner.

Importantly, this was about more than one parent learning to do things differently. Better communication helped both mum and dad work towards a more constructive approach to co-parenting, agree on priorities for them and their children.

Reduced conflict and better outcomes

As communication improved, Gavin and his former partner were better able to navigate the challenges and opportunities of sharing parenting. Reducing conflict helped them move away from the difficulties that can consume so much time and energy during separation and towards a more constructive way of making decisions for their family.

The benefits extended beyond their day-to-day communication. Their experience helped reduce the time, financial costs and anxiety associated with conflict and court proceedings, easing some of the pressures that separation can place on parents.

Their children are benefiting from a renewed relationship with both parents as the family continues its shared parenting journey.

This is what makes Gavin’s story so valuable. When parents can communicate more effectively, establish shared priorities and keep their children at the centre of decisions, they create better conditions for their children to feel secure and maintain meaningful relationships with both parents.

Why more families need access to this support

New Ways for Families helps parents develop practical skills for managing emotions, thinking flexibly, moderating behaviour and checking their own responses. These skills can help parents navigate difficult conversations, manage disagreements and find constructive ways forward.

Gavin’s experience also highlights why timing matters.

Parents should be able to access appropriate support when they first face the challenges of separation, rather than having to wait until conflict has escalated. For those approaching court, or already involved in proceedings, it may still be possible to develop new skills that improve communication, reduce conflict and help parents focus on their children’s needs.

We understand court proceedings are necessary in some circumstances. But early access to practical support can give families more opportunities to work through difficulties, potentially reducing the emotional and financial burden of often prolonged disputes.

Shared Parenting Scotland believes more parents should have access to this kind of support, and that professionals working with separating families should recognise the value of helping parents develop these skills before, during and beyond periods of conflict.

Watch Gavin’s story here

Gavin speaks from the heart about his experience and the difference that support from Shared Parenting Scotland, and the New Ways for Families training has made to his family.

His story is a reminder that, even when separation brings challenges, parents can find a better way forward. With the right support, they can build confidence, improve communication, agree on what matters most and work together to give their children the best possible future.

Find out more about the New Ways for Families course and how it can help parents navigate separation and reduce conflict.

Because when parents are supported to work together, the whole family can benefit.