Kids and Teens
If you have kids, they are Matthew's primary concern. Matthew House's approach to family law mediation values the entire family. Be assured that even when a particular topic does not appear to relate to the kids, Matthew is internally processing how to pilot the discussion in a way that ensures that their interests are addressed.
Matthew has worked with kids and teens since his own teenage years. As soon as Matthew started college, he began volunteering at a high school. Throughout college, he volunteered at least 20 hours every week at a total of four schools, one being a K-8 grade school where he taught Spanish to students who ranged from third grade to eighth grade. Even as a full-time law student, Matthew also volunteered at a school 10 hours a week, and he worked with juveniles at the county courthouse three afternoons a week. This experience has deepened Matthew's concern for kids and teens, and it has allowed him to continue to relate well to them even as the age difference becomes greater. Many parents tell Matthew that their teenage and pre-teen children are more open with him than with other adults they’ve known much longer.
Are children and teenagers involved in the mediation? Yes, if they want to be involved, as most do, but they get their own sessions at no charge. Kids are not included in the adult sessions because the topics discussed may be sensitive or plainly boring to a kid. Matthew has a dedicated room (the largest room in the suite) for meeting with kids and teens, and they can also wait there during the adult meetings if you need to bring them with you. Matthew invites children and teenagers to express their needs in a special session with him, in an informal and relaxed setting. He typically meets with all children (age 11 and older) and teenagers whose parents are mediating a divorce with his assistance. Kids and teens find these meetings helpful, and Matthew consistently receives positive feedback from parents, kids, and teenagers about those meetings
Here is a PDF with more information about Matthew's meetings with kids, teens, and young adults.
Matthew has worked with kids and teens since his own teenage years. As soon as Matthew started college, he began volunteering at a high school. Throughout college, he volunteered at least 20 hours every week at a total of four schools, one being a K-8 grade school where he taught Spanish to students who ranged from third grade to eighth grade. Even as a full-time law student, Matthew also volunteered at a school 10 hours a week, and he worked with juveniles at the county courthouse three afternoons a week. This experience has deepened Matthew's concern for kids and teens, and it has allowed him to continue to relate well to them even as the age difference becomes greater. Many parents tell Matthew that their teenage and pre-teen children are more open with him than with other adults they’ve known much longer.
Are children and teenagers involved in the mediation? Yes, if they want to be involved, as most do, but they get their own sessions at no charge. Kids are not included in the adult sessions because the topics discussed may be sensitive or plainly boring to a kid. Matthew has a dedicated room (the largest room in the suite) for meeting with kids and teens, and they can also wait there during the adult meetings if you need to bring them with you. Matthew invites children and teenagers to express their needs in a special session with him, in an informal and relaxed setting. He typically meets with all children (age 11 and older) and teenagers whose parents are mediating a divorce with his assistance. Kids and teens find these meetings helpful, and Matthew consistently receives positive feedback from parents, kids, and teenagers about those meetings
Here is a PDF with more information about Matthew's meetings with kids, teens, and young adults.