"This past year has reminded us all of the importance of
family relationships – and of their fragility. The Two Wishes Foundation promotes a fresh, and more
compassionate, approach for vulnerable and separating families, focused on providing accessible support,
education and much earlier, health-focused interventions when needed. We're seeking a worldwide transformation in how we all view, and deal with, family breakdown – for the sake of our kids. "
Dr David Curl, CEO,
Two Wishes Foundation
"It’s time to reimagine how we think about, and deal with,
family breakdown. To give all our children the brightest possible futures, and to protect them from
harm, we need to start treating family breakdown as a major health and social issue, instead of a legal
one."
Karen Clarke, Ambassador, For Kids Sake
"On the 26th of December, 2012, we received a phone call from
a distressed parent, anxious that they might not remember how to love the child they hadn't seen for
over two years. That call has stayed with us; a constant reminder of why we do, what we do. The Parent
Promise is long overdue."
Bob Greig & Rebecca Giraud, co-founders OnlyMums&Dads
"Ongoing family tensions is one of the most common issues
that children bring to Place2Be's one-to-one counselling. One nine-year-old girl told us 'Parents should
put the child first. Tell the child that it's not their fault that they're splitting up.' We are proud
to support The Parents' Promise, which we believe could have a powerful and long-lasting impact on the
wellbeing of children across the UK and beyond."
Catherine Roche, Chief Executive, Place2Be
"High levels of conflict between parents can cause lasting
damage to children's wellbeing and outcomes in life. Relate supports The Parents Promise, which is a
positive commitment to always put children's needs at the centre of separation and divorce, whatever
happens in the couple relationship."
Aidan Jones, Chief Executive at Relate
"Relationships sometimes end. Family units shift and change,
and although challenging, it doesn’t need to be toxic and damaging to children. Black Mums Upfront
believe that given the right support and commitment there can be an alternative approach. For this
reason we (BMU) wholeheartedly support the Parent Promise movement to empower and support parents to
navigate separation and co parenting with healthy communication and child-centred intention."
Endy Mckay, Carina White, Natalie Duvall, Nana-Adwoa Mbeutcha, Founders, Black Mums Upfront
"We know that poorly managed relationship breakdown can have
a devastating impact on children's long-term health and wellbeing. The Save Childhood Movement (SCM)
very much supports the move towards constructive new forms of cooperative parenting during and following
separation."
Wendy Elliot, Founder, Save Childhood Movement
"Separation can have a big impact on the health and happiness
of children and parents. Positive relationships are vital for the mental wellbeing of all members of a
family and maintaining harmonious relationships should always be a priority when family dynamics
change."
Dr Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness
"The Parents Promise asks parents to reflect on how they
might behave towards their partner, should their relationship break down. Tavistock Relationships
supports the Parents Promise and hopes it will mean fewer children suffer as a result of prolonged
conflict between parents who separate."
Andrew Balfour, Chief Executive, Tavistock
Relationships
"The evidence is clear. Co-operative parenting (whether parents are together or apart) leads to the best outcomes for children. The Parents Promise requires a commitment from both parents to manage their differences constructively, so they can co-operate in ensuring their child's long-term well-being and quality of life"
Penny Mansfield CBE, co-director, OnePlusOne
"We see time and time again in the Frolo community how
valuable an amicable and supportive relationship between parents following a separation can be in terms
of the emotional wellbeing of both parents and, most importantly, the children. Frolo backs any
initiative that encourages positive relationships between separated parents, and offers support to
parents where this isn't possible."
Zoë Desmond, founder of Frolo
"Fegans is passionate about the promise because it places
children at the heart of all parents thinking, whether they are together, parting or separate; this
promise has the power to transform Childrens lives if, as a nation, we can grip its central
truth...great parenting is always about the children, not the parents."
Ian Soars, CEO of
Fegans
"As an active member of the legal community and having seen
the damage that separation can cause we at MD Communications are proud supporters of the Parents Promise
which will support and encourage parents who are separating to do this in a way which protects and puts
the mental health of their children at the forefront."
Melissa Davis, Founder & CEO, MD
Communications
"Children of all ages are impacted by change and there is no
bigger change for a child than their family separating. Sadly the emotional turmoil for parents as they
go through this transition often results in children’s own emotions being overlooked, presumed or even
harmed and very rarely are their voices heard. The more we can educate families about better ways to
separate and help our children through such a traumatic time the better chance we have of minimising
longer term problems for their futures."
Helen Pittard, Voices in the Middle
"Children should always come first no matter what and this
should never be forgotten. Instead of being used as weapons, it's important for them to have a
relationship with both parents where there's no risk. Their feelings and wellbeing should come above all
else. Please show your support for this campaign."
Aruna Bansal, Asian Single Parents Network
CIC, Founder
"When you're a parent, your relationship doesn't end if you divorce and separate; it changes. The transition from parents to co-parents is a difficult one. amicable believes that the negative impact of separating can be significantly reduced if parents have already had the tricky conversation of what would happen if they end up separating. Signing the Parenting Promise signals that, whilst a romantic relationship may be over, the commitment to support each other to raise resilient, happy children doesn't."
"FFLAG wholeheartedly supports the Parents' Promise. In a world in which LGBT+ children often encounter hostility outside the family, having confidence that they will always have the love and full support of their parents is crucial to their wellbeing. Similarly, the sexuality or gender identity of a parent does not alter any child's need for both parents' love."
"Every day divorcing parents join our forum for support through divorce. We want to acknowledge and openly discuss the damage that conflicted family breakdown can do to children. More needs to be done to help separating parents to resolve conflicts outside of the courts, access services such as family mediation and to support them towards the goal of long-term co-operative parenting. The Promise is an important start to that conversation."
"The parents promise is a great reminder of our duties as parents to create an environment our children can strive in to be better contributors to society. Its reminder to parents that our focus and legacy is built creating and enhancing those environments for our children. This is why at Legacy Lifestyle Podcast we support the parents promise for the betterment, growth and enrichment of every child."
"CFS are delighted to be involved in this initiative. It's completely in line with our shared parenting ethos especially in keeping the child as the focus."
"Family Lives welcomes any initiative that helps to support families and relationships that are under pressure. Supporting and listening to parents helps to reduce conflict and potential harm, and provides an opportunity to place the children at the heart of the conversation"
"The National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) are firm believers that 'Parenting Shouldn't End When Relationships Do'. Children deserve safe, healthy and fulfilling relationships with both parents. NACCC are truly honoured to support this initiative and we will do all we can to support parents to make and keep the #ParentsPromise"
