Parents going through a separation often make one of two choices when it comes to communicating with their children: 1) They protect the children by sharing very little about the process, or 2) They involve their children in adult conversations, treating them as confidants. Neither scenario gives the children a voice—a way to share their experience.

Award-winning filmmaker Ellen Bruno is on a mission to change that through the documentary SPLIT, a collaboration with children ages six through twelve exploring the life-altering separation of their parents. The film presents the children’s perspective on divorce, empowering them to speak the truth of what is on their minds and in their hearts. SPLIT encourages parents to make better choices as they move through divorce and offers courage and validation to other children who see the film.

Today, Ellen joins Katherine to share how her own separation led her to create the documentary SPLIT. She explains the film’s power in giving voice to the experiences of children of divorce and providing parents with insight into what their kids are going through. Ellen speaks to the impact of parents’ choices, discussing the direct relationship between cooperation and the wellbeing of children. Listen in for Ellen’s insight around using the film to reimagine the way we divorce in our culture and to facilitate conversation among professionals, parents and children.

Topics Covered

How the film SPLIT explores the effects of divorce on children

The validation of hearing other kids share their experiences

How SPLIT gives parents insight into what their kids are going through

The impact of the choices parents make during a separation

Ellen’s desire to reimagine how we divorce in our culture

Community support

Avoid blaming, polarization

The empowering nature of being given a voice

The themes that emerged through the children’s interviews

Hard to watch fighting

Fantasy that parents will reunite

Fears around new partners

How the film facilitates conversation between parents and children

How professionals might use the film to initiate discussion with parents

The negative scenarios kids spin when they lack information

The direct relationship between parent cooperation and well-being of kids

How teenagers involved in conflict struggle to put their own needs first

Providing kids with a hopeful blueprint for healthy relationships

How SPLIT helps parents refocus and reach agreements

Connect with Ellen Bruno

SPLIT Website: www.splitfilm.org

Bruno Films: http://brunofilms.com

Connect with Katherine Miller

The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/

Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/

Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1