Archive for author: Julie Gill

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Julie Gill by
Mar 2014 03

Why Is Mediation The Best Kept Secret?

Family Mediation Other Thoughts
secret1

As a Mediator my role is to help people communicate through conflict, to find resolutions to problems and to actively participate in decisions.

Mediation is a fair, safe and balanced process that ensures everyone has a voice. It’s less costly than the legal process and much more efficient in most cases.

Yet I still wonder daily why mediation is not as common place as counselling or lawyers? People in conflict tend to call a counsellor (to deal with the emotional side) or a lawyer (to deal with the legal side). A mediator helps deals with the practical side of conflict which is often where the biggest problems occur.

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Julie Gill by
Nov 2013 06

Helping Talk About Senior Care

Elder Care (Caregiver) Mediation
talk about senior care

I taped my weekly show, We Need To Talk on Rogers TV Durham last week about Senior Care. Now I’ve been in the position to care for both my children and my parents at the same time – it&#82...

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Julie Gill by
Aug 2013 26

5 Way Meetings – A Successful Solution

Divorce Mediation
5 way meetings

It may not be a popular stance but it is one that I whole-heartedly support. Lawyers participating  in Family mediation meetings with their clients.

5 way mediation

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Julie Gill by
May 2013 29

FIGHTING FAIR

Pre-Marriage Relationships
fighting-fair

ALL parts of communication are skills that can be learned. Fighting is part of that. Effective communication during a fight is tough though.

Most people are familiar with what an unfair fight looks like…The Blame Game, Silent Treatment, Inappropriate Timing, Threats, Witholding of Affection or Sex. I’m sure that you can name some more.

You hear it all of the time – You need to attack the problem…not the person. How is withholding sex attacking the problem? It’s not. It is however a reaction to being hurt, the need to hurt back.

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Julie Gill by
May 2013 14

Constantly Struggling With Your Ex About Parenting Issues?

After Divorce
fighting with your ex - parenting

Whether you created a parenting plan years ago that now requires a change or you would like to put one in place to ensure more stability and routine around your parenting roles; mediation can help save you a lot of time and stress. Many families repeatedly go back to their lawyers or worse -court- when they are trying to resolve a conflict after divorce. There is nobody that knows your children better than you do.

Often trying to make the smallest of changes in the months or years after a separation result in the largest of fights.

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Julie Gill by
Mar 2013 05

Changes To The Family Law Process In Ontario Are Still Needed

Divorce Other Thoughts
family law

Here’s a letter that I wrote back in 2010 to a person that wanted support from someone in the “divorce industry’ to help them with their battle to change the Family Law Process. I had the added (dis)advantage of having also personally gone through it. I just found it and had a quick read. I still feel strongly that lawyers and mediators should work together more to benefit our clients. I have however softened a little as I have met some wonderful lawyers that ARE client focused. Have a read and let me know what you think. I’d love the feedback.

I’m writing this letter in support of your efforts to bring awareness to the changes so desperately needed in the current family law process.

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Julie Gill by
Jan 2013 22

Human Resources and Mediation – A Dynamic Duo

Other Thoughts
HR and mediation

It’s well documented that employee stress is a growing concern for organizations today. Stress that negatively impacts the workplace may come from work, personal or family sources.

Workplace dynamics are as unique as each organization and should be aligned to the organizational culture. Having strong Human Resource Management is important to balancing workplace dynamics.

A key role for Human Resources (HR) is to act as an employee advocate.   External mediators act as partners to assist with disputes and training. Mediation provides a process that is fair, balanced and confidential. Whether founded or not, a common criticism of HR partners is that they are in place only to support management and employee issues are not dealt with fairly.

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Julie Gill by
Dec 2012 10

10 Tips To Avoid Money Conflict In Your Relationships

Pre-Marriage Relationships
fighting about money

Relationships and Money are the perfect breeding ground for conflict.

Fear and change can often lead to conflict, in any situation. People have very strong emotions about money. It is the emotions and values people attach to money that cause the conflict.

 

Do you fight about money or ignore money problems?

Money concerns such as not having enough, not making enough, not saving enough, spending too much are common sources of conflict in relationships. Most people fight about money; that is no surprise.

 

 

During a lifetime there are many stages that money conflict can occur in relationships.

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Julie Gill by
Oct 2012 30

Is Mediation Right For You?

Family Mediation
is mediation right for you

As with any process, mediation is not for everyone. Some people can work out their terms without outside assistance, while others require legal and/or psychological support. Your conflict may be fami...

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