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 CoveredHow the film SPLIT explores the effects of divorce on childrenThe validation of hearing other kids share their experiencesHow SPLIT gives parents insight into what their kids are going throughThe impact of the choices parents make during a separationEllen’s desire to reimagine how we divorce in our cultureCommunity supportAvoid blaming, polarizationThe empowering nature of being given a voiceThe themes that emerged through the children’s interviewsHard to watch fightingFantasy that parents will reuniteFears around new partnersHow the film facilitates conversation between parents and childrenHow professionals might use the film to initiate discussion with parentsThe negative scenarios kids spin when they lack informationThe direct relationship between parent cooperation and well-being of kidsHow teenagers involved in conflict struggle to put their own needs firstProviding kids with a hopeful blueprint for healthy relationshipsHow SPLIT helps parents refocus and reach agreementsConnect with Ellen BrunoSPLIT Website: www.splitfilm.orgBruno Films: http://brunofilms.comConnect with Katherine MillerThe Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1