Hear the Child Reports

A Hear the Child Report provides a written summary of your child’s views on the decisions being made for them.  It is not an evaluative report; it is a child-centred report containing only the information the child wishes to share with their parents.  It can be used in litigation or mediation or when parents are negotiating agreements on their own, providing valuable insight through a neutral, trained child interviewer.  

Children are significantly affected by decisions that are made for them and about them.  This includes where they live, who they live with and how much time they spend with each parent.  While it is important to shield children from the conflict involved in separation and divorce, it is critical to provide them with a voice into these decisions, where appropriate. While very young children may simply parrot back what each parent wants to hear, as children age they may have strong views about decisions being made about them. Studies show that children who are consulted in a healthy way and feel listened to are better adjusted humans following the separation of their parents. Children do not make the decisions, but they can provide clarity and sometimes simplicity to complex adult disputes.  

Parents can learn from their children. Children can help parents focus on what is really important, maintaining loving, healthy relationships between the child and their parents and other significant adults in their lives.