InCredible Witness

This episode explores the crucial role of contact supervisors in observing and assessing parent-child interactions during supervised contact sessions. Michael talks about the importance of social workers, independent social workers, and children's guardians personally observing these sessions to form their own conclusions and assessments. It highlights the significance of parents demonstrating their ability to prioritize their child's needs, engage positively during contact, and adhere to professional guidance and boundaries.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Observing contact sessions is crucial for professionals working with children and families to gain a better understanding of the case and form their own conclusions. Contact observations provide only a snapshot of the parent's overall ability to care for their child, and it is essential to consider all evidence gathered from the case. Parents should prioritise their child's needs during contact sessions, demonstrate the ability to learn from advice offered by professionals, and show consistent good enough care. Parents need to be aware of the impact of their words and actions on their child, follow guidance and boundaries set during contact, and communicate concerns through appropriate channels. The ultimate goal for parents during contact sessions is to ensure their child has a great time, showcasing their ability to meet their child's physical and emotional needs consistently. BEST MOMENTS "It is really important that you observe at least one contact prior to finalising your assessment, otherwise you place yourself in a vulnerable position when it comes to giving evidence and being cross-examined." "Most contact sessions are 90 or 120 minutes in duration, which explains the limitations involved in placing too much weight on contact observations." "Parents need to prove that they can understand and comply with such guidance and boundaries in the interests of their children and their court case." "Parents need also to be advised that they need to be aware of the impact their words and actions have on their child." "The real task for most parents, though, is to show they can meet their child's various needs on a consistent basis throughout the period in which they are being assessed." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode delves into the complex and often misunderstood topic of self-injury. It explores how self-harm serves as a coping mechanism for individuals dealing with overwhelming emotions and distressing thoughts. The episode discusses the various functions self-harm can serve, such as expressing difficult emotions, seeking control, or managing traumatic experiences. It also highlights the signs to look out for in children and young people who may be engaging in self-harm, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these behaviours. Additionally, the episode sheds light on the underlying reasons why individuals self-harm, ranging from emotional pain and loneliness to mental health conditions and traumatic experiences.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Self-harm is a coping mechanism for dealing with distressing thoughts and feelings, serving various functions such as expressing emotions, gaining control, or escaping traumatic memories. Children may engage in self-harm through various methods like cutting, burning, poisoning, or over-exercising, often as a response to emotional distress or mental health challenges. Signs of self-harm in children include wearing long sleeves, having sharp objects, emotional instability, and frequent accidental injuries. Self-harm is associated with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and trauma, highlighting the importance of professional support. While self-harm is more common among women, seeking help from professionals can significantly reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. BEST MOMENTS "Self-harm or self-injury can be described as representing a person's coping mechanism for dealing with highly upsetting and distressing thoughts and feelings." "When a child or person injures themselves, chemicals such as endorphins and other natural painkillers are released by the brain, providing a temporal respite for the painful experiences." "Self-harm and self-injury often go unnoticed because people who self-harm don't tend to want to draw attention to their behaviour." "It seems there may be a number of reasons why people self-harm. What is clear is that children who do so frequently are experiencing overpowering emotional pain or distress." "In terms of the gender most at risk of self-harm, it is said to be more common amongst women than men." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael discusses the sensitive nature of parenting assessments and the necessity of asking personal and intrusive questions. He reflects on the reactions of parents when faced with such questions, highlighting the importance of understanding one's upbringing, beliefs, and experiences in relation to parenting. Overall, the episode underscores the critical role of thorough assessments in determining suitable parenting options for children in need. KEY TAKEAWAYS Asking personal questions during parenting assessments is necessary to understand a person's beliefs, values, and experiences. Family life is personal, and the court needs personal information to make decisions about a child's care. Some individuals may resist answering personal questions during assessments, indicating potential challenges in their ability to undergo a full parenting assessment. Lack of insight and unwillingness to share personal information can lead to negative outcomes in parenting assessments. Emotional readiness and willingness to discuss past experiences are crucial factors in determining suitability for parenting assessments. BEST MOMENTS "Many of the questions you have to ask when undertaking a parenting assessment are, in my view, personal and intrusive." "People take for granted that they will love and take care of their child, but fail to see that the court does not know them at all." "Isn't that a bit personal? But if the court are going to make decisions about where the child should be placed, don't you think they need to know all the relevant information?" "I really think you're asking too much. It's too personal." "His lack of insight and unwillingness to share further information provided me with the clarity I needed to reach the conclusion that the outcome of the assessment was negative." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode provides valuable insights on how to effectively give evidence in a court setting. Michael emphasises the importance of thorough preparation, mental and emotional readiness, and maintaining control over one's nerves and emotions while in the witness box. Overall, the episode serves as a comprehensive guide on how to navigate the challenges of giving evidence in a court setting successfully. KEY TAKEAWAYS Thorough Preparation: Before giving evidence, it is crucial to prepare diligently both mentally and emotionally to handle the stress and pressure of the witness box. Maintain Control: Stay in control of your nerves and emotions, and have complete faith in your ability to present your evidence effectively. Listen Carefully: Avoid rushing to answer questions and make sure to listen fully to each question posed to provide satisfactory answers. Stay Focused: Concentrate fully on each question, think about your response, and avoid giving unnecessary information that may compromise your position. Professionalism: Maintain a balanced and professional demeanor, avoid getting angry or distressed, and address your answers clearly to the judge to ensure your evidence is valued highly. BEST MOMENTS "You cannot afford to have a poor attitude and frame of mind when giving evidence. When you enter into the witness box You should be in control of your nerves and emotions, as opposed to them being in control of you." "Your state of mind should be such that you expect no help from anyone. You recognize you are totally alone, and have complete faith and confidence in your ability to present your evidence very well." "Giving evidence should never involve you talking for talking's sake. When you open your mouth too freely you are likely to give away unnecessary information that may place you in difficult situations that you may live to regret later." "The hugest mistake you can make when in the witness box is to lose control of your emotions by getting angry, agitated or distressed. When angry or agitated, you lose focus and concentration, rendering you unable to access that part of your brain that enables you to be able to think and respond appropriately and creatively." "On a final note, it is a mistake to fail to speak up and address your answers to the judge. She or he needs to hear what you are saying at all times. So angle your head towards the judge when responding to questions and ensure you speak loud enough and in a clear manner so that the judge can hear and clearly understand you." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Join Michael as he explores the disturbing reality of parents or step-parents killing their own children, shedding light on the term "filicide" and its various forms such as neonaticide and infanticide. Through research findings and expert insights, the episode explores the motives behind filicide, ranging from altruistic reasons to revenge and emphasises the importance of understanding the underlying factors to prevent future tragedies. Overall, the episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration of a tragic and sensitive topic, urging for greater awareness and prevention efforts to protect children from harm. KEY TAKEAWAYS On average, 58 children in the UK are killed by family members, parents, or step-parents each year, highlighting the alarming frequency of child deaths at the hands of those expected to care for them. Filicide, the killing of one's child, is a disturbing reality that prompts questions about the motives and circumstances that lead to such heinous acts. Mental illness plays a significant role in cases of filicide, with a study showing that 37% of perpetrators were suffering from a form of mental illness, emphasising the need for further research and understanding in this area. Different motives for filicide include altruistic reasons, fatal abuse or ill-treatment, unwanted children, psychotic states, and revenge, shedding light on the complex psychological factors at play. Factors such as mental health issues, relationship breakdowns, domestic violence, substance misuse, and child abuse often coincide in cases of filicide, underscoring the importance of identifying and addressing these risk factors to prevent future tragedies. BEST MOMENTS "I was stunned by that statistic because even as a social worker who has worked with children over many years, the frequency or rate of children being killed was conspicuous." "Filicide refers to the killing of one's son or daughter. As a result of doing this research, I was introduced to more words that I had hitherto not known about." "In a study involving 297 cases of convicted philicides and 45 cases of philicide suicides in England and Wales between January 1997 and December 2006, it was revealed that there was an over-representation of mental illness in cases of philicide." "Philip J. Resnick, a well-known forensic psychiatrist, found that neonaticidal mothers are often unmarried women with unwanted pregnancies who receive no prenatal care." "Gaining as clear a picture as possible about the circumstances, reasons and factors that lead parents to perpetrate filicide are of critical significance if we are to prevent and lessen future unnecessary child deaths." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode explores the unexpected connection between social work and the act of selling. Michael talks about why social workers are constantly selling their beliefs and values to parents in order to advocate for the best interests of children. Drawing parallels between personal interactions and court appearances, Michael emphasises the importance of presenting oneself positively, both in attitude and appearance, to effectively influence others. Ultimately, the episode concludes by highlighting the crucial aspect of believing in oneself before attempting to sell one's beliefs to others. KEY TAKEAWAYS Recognise the importance of selling oneself in various aspects of life, including social work and giving evidence in court. Present oneself in a physically presentable manner, such as dressing appropriately, to make a good impression and show respect. Have a positive attitude and demeanour, as it can significantly impact how one is perceived before even speaking. Be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the evidence being presented, displaying confidence and persuasiveness. Emphasise the significance of believing in oneself and one's abilities as a crucial aspect of effectively selling oneself to others. BEST MOMENTS "From being someone who was quite adverse to the idea of selling, to one in which I now accept my involvement in it and in fact recognise how important selling is to the success of my role as a social worker." "You're actually engaged in selling yourself all the time, it's just that you don't see yourself as doing so."  "Poor attitudes are like neon lights or neon signs glowing in the dark, announcing your poor disposition, thoughts and feelings."  "Attending court wearing trainers, a hoodie and a pair of jeans exposing part of your underwear does not tend to portray you in the best possible light."  "In giving great evidence at court or selling yourself well, how or the way you say it is as important, if not more so, than what you say."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Join Michael in this episode as he delves into the experiences of two individuals, who faced racism and isolation in predominantly white environments. The episode highlights how their struggles with racism, lack of support, and the pressure to fit in led to feelings of anger, aggression, and a constant state of vigilance. The episode challenges the societal ignorance towards racism and the need for empathy and recognition of its pervasive nature.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Impact of Racism: The episode highlights the significant impact of racism on individuals, particularly young black individuals, leading to feelings of isolation, aggression, and a constant need to defend oneself. Lack of Support: Both individuals discussed in the episode felt alone in their experiences of racism, lacking support from their adoptive parents and others to discuss their struggles. Mental Health Implications: The experiences of racism and isolation without support can negatively impact mental health, contributing to the higher rates of mental health issues among black individuals. Expectation of Racism: The repeated experiences of racism lead individuals to expect and prepare for it, creating a constant state of anxiety and vigilance that undermines their well-being. Persistent Wounds: Racism leaves lasting wounds that are often not addressed or resolved, leading to ongoing anger and emotional burden that individuals carry with them for years. BEST MOMENTS "They didn't like me because I didn't fit in. And do you know what? I didn't want to. They were picking on me because of my difference." "I was fighting every day in school, and to be fair, I held my mum and stepdad responsible for this because I did not want to move." "But when you fight back, you get a reputation and you don't have to do anything anyway to get hassled by the police." "Racism is insidious. It permeates this society and many others. It survives because the whole society don't really recognise it or their part in continuing it." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode delves into the importance and intricacies of creating a chronological list of events in a child's life. Michael emphasises the significance of a well-constructed chronology in providing a clear understanding of a family's history and dynamics. The episode discusses the role of a social worker in highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of parenting, using the chronology as a tool to support evidence and arguments. It also explores how different perspectives and biases can influence the interpretation of events documented in a chronology. The episode underscores the impact of past experiences on an individual's present behaviour and identity, emphasising the need to consider significant events such as trauma, loss, and violence in family life.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Chronologies are crucial: Chronologies are essential documents that provide a clear picture of a family's history and can help in understanding the events that have occurred over time. Balanced view is important: It is important to provide a balanced view in a chronology, highlighting both the weaknesses and strengths of parenting to give a fair representation of the situation. Impact of past events: Chronologies help in understanding how past events and experiences shape an individual's present and future, emphasising the significance of events like births, deaths, and illnesses. Significance of violent incidents: Violent incidents between adults, especially when witnessed by children, should be carefully documented in a chronology to understand their impact and the response of parents. Importance of social care response: A good chronology not only focuses on the actions of parents but also highlights the behaviour of social care agencies and their impact on the child's lived experience. BEST MOMENTS "A chronology can be defined as a sequential list of events with dates recording any significant facts and changes in a child's life."  "History, for example, is written from the focus of the values and beliefs of the person who wrote it."  "Chronologies are really useful tools in helping to look at a child's lived experience because they can show what a child has been exposed to dating as far back into their life as their first few weeks of life."  "Many people still today tend to think of the past as not having any impact on who they are now."  "One of the things that chronology is very useful at bringing to light is the response by social care."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode delves into the concept of assessing and managing risks in various aspects of life, using the analogy of crossing a busy road without a pedestrian crossing. The episode highlights how individuals often underestimate risks due to factors they cannot see or control, drawing parallels to parents who may pose risks to their children. It discusses the importance of considering factors such as a parent's history, level of insight, and support networks in determining the potential harm a child may face.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Risk assessment is crucial in everyday situations, such as crossing a road, as unseen factors can significantly increase the level of risk. Parents with a history of adverse childhood experiences may pose a higher risk to their children due to normalised harmful behaviours. Lack of insight and denial of personal issues can lead parents to expose their children to considerable harm. Identifying and evaluating a parent's strengths, such as a strong attachment to their child or a supportive network, is essential in assessing the risks they pose. Balancing a parent's weaknesses and strengths, along with considering hidden or unknown factors, is necessary to determine the level of risk a child may face. BEST MOMENTS "When crossing a road, there are vehicles you can see and vehicles or situations you cannot. You cannot accurately take into account things you cannot see or quantify." "Parents who pose a major risk of harm to their children are often not in full control of themselves and tend to be in denial concerning the extent of their problems." "One of the first matters to consider when attempting to analyse the risks posed by a parent is their history." "If parents do not recognise that they have shortcomings in certain areas, they are then poorly motivated to make changes in their life to address this shortcoming." "Balancing their overall weaknesses and strengths contributing to a child's care is a task that needs to be carefully and thoroughly considered." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode delves into the challenges individuals face when giving evidence in court, particularly focusing on the daunting experience of being cross-examined.  Michael talks about how to manage emotions, listen attentively, and respond effectively to questions while maintaining composure and credibility. The episode underscores the necessity of practising the skills required to present coherent and persuasive evidence in a highly adversarial courtroom environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS Giving great evidence in court requires thorough preparation and understanding of the case to be able to speak authoritatively. It is crucial to manage and control emotions while in the witness box to maintain composure and credibility. Active listening is essential to provide concise and relevant answers to questions asked during cross-examination. Displaying poise, balance, and a positive attitude throughout the process can help in delivering persuasive evidence. Utilising examples, statistics, and patterns of behaviour can strengthen arguments and clarify points for the court. BEST MOMENTS "Many people struggle with giving evidence because they don't understand that the process is designed to be difficult and that the court is, for lay people, an alien environment that no one except legal people feel comfortable with." "The words conflict and criticism are for me now synonymous with the court. never used to be, but they are now because I have been to court enough times to know, without doubt, that the court is a highly adversarial environment." "You have to know about and be prepared for angles of attack. Those cross-examining you, and including the judges, are likely to focus on, be critical about, and question you in connection with." "Controlling emotions is critical to the way you come across and portray yourself in the witness box. You cannot allow anything to hijack your emotions, undermine your belief in yourself, or impair your positive attitude." "Using percentages or ratios provides the court with a clear mental picture of what has been going on. Above all else display a great attitude consistently regardless of how the barristers may treat you." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode provides valuable insights on how to effectively answer difficult questions, particularly in a court setting. Michael emphasises the importance of being in a balanced state of mind, actively listening to questions, and taking the time to formulate thoughtful responses. Practical tips such as acknowledging errors, providing context for actions, and being honest when unsure are also discussed. Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive guide on handling difficult questions with composure and clarity, making it a valuable resource for anyone facing challenging questioning situations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Practice being in a calm emotional state to maintain serenity and not let external actions affect you. Listen carefully to the entire question before answering, to ensure a proper response. Take your time when answering questions, think about your response, and speak only what you intend to say. Preparation and practice in answering questions from different angles are crucial for success. When faced with a question you don't know the answer to, it's better to admit it honestly rather than attempting to provide a false answer. BEST MOMENTS "Listening is a key skill in so many areas of your life. When your capacity to listen is impaired, of course you do not hear properly, or you mishear, misread or misinterpret whatever is being asked of you." "Questions are difficult when they come from an angle you had not expected or highlight an area which is totally new to you or unfamiliar to you." "It is better to take your time and answer the question properly than fail to answer it by answering it poorly and placing yourself in problems because you rushed in due to worrying about taking too long to respond." "A tip in answering questions is to be like water. In other words, go with the flow. Unless you have a good or strong reason to challenge or deny any assertion, then make sure, if you do deny or disagree with what's being said, that you can back up your argument with supporting evidence." "Never lie when answering questions. I hope you really enjoyed this episode and got a great deal out of it. Thank you very much for listening." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode delves into the impact of parents using their children as tools for control, punishment, and negotiation. The episode highlights how some parents, with unmet needs from their own upbringing, prioritise their own desires over their children's well-being. Through a detailed narrative, the episode explores a harrowing case where a child is subjected to emotional abuse and manipulation by one parent, leading to long-term emotional damage and the need for therapeutic support.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Children are highly dependent on parents and caregivers for various needs such as attention, affection, guidance, and security. Parents with unmet needs, due to their own upbringing, may struggle to provide adequate care for their children, leading to harmful behaviors. Using children as bargaining tools or weapons in conflicts between parents can have long-lasting negative effects on the child's emotional development. Court systems may not always fully grasp the impact of one parent's harmful actions on the child during private law proceedings. Children who are subjected to intentional conflict and abuse by one parent may require therapeutic support to address their unmet needs and emotional trauma. BEST MOMENTS "Children are very vulnerable and highly dependent on parents and caregivers throughout the many years of their childhood." "Parents with unmet needs may, for example, have mental health difficulties, possibly because they were parented in an environment where they were never provided with the safety they needed to feel safe and protected." "Some parents compound their lack of insight by going further and putting conditions on the circumstances under which the child will see the other parent." "In choosing this course of action, no consideration was given to the damage the child was going to be subjected to, or the long-term impact that a child growing up in this type of environment was likely to experience." "Parents who use their children to negotiate more favourable deals for themselves, influence the actions of others, or as a means to inflict pain on others, are primarily focused on their own needs, and in the pursuit of doing so, cannot help but produce considerable harm that will likely rear itself in some stage in their child's future." VALUABLE RESOURCESfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.comInstagram: michael240656 HOST BIOMichael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode delves into the crucial skill of persuasion and its significance in various aspects of life, particularly in social work and legal settings. Michael emphasises the importance of building trust with clients by demonstrating competence and genuine care. He highlights the power of listening, valuing others, and showing warmth and enthusiasm to establish meaningful connections.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Building Trust: Before trying to persuade others, it is crucial to develop a relationship based on trust. This involves demonstrating competence and genuine care. Active Listening: Taking the time to listen to others, value their experiences, and empathize consistently is essential in building trust and understanding. Show Warmth and Enthusiasm: Displaying genuine warmth, enthusiasm, and interest towards others can help build positive relationships and influence them effectively. Avoid Criticism: Instead of arguing or criticising, find common ground with others and provide reasons for them to consider your suggestions without making them feel wrong or judged. Self-Criticism and Learning: Acknowledging mistakes openly, being self-critical, and showing a willingness to learn from errors can positively influence others' perceptions of your character and credibility. BEST MOMENTS "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  "Your time is your most valuable asset or resource, so taking the time to listen to another is an indication of how much you value them."  "Instead of arguing, blaming or criticising anyone, if you want to stand a chance of positively influencing them... find things you agree on with them."  "Your ability to listen clearly to the questions is vital because if you don't pay attention to the questions, you won't be able to satisfactorily answer them." "Having a great attitude throughout your time in the witness box and whilst in court and outside of it is key to how you present in a positive manner at court."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode talks about the crucial concept of being well-attuned to a child's emotional needs and feelings, emphasising the profound impact it has on their development. Through a detailed exploration of a case involving a young mother with a traumatic past, the episode highlights how a lack of attunement can lead to significant harm and distress for the child. The narrative underscores the importance of parents being present, empathetic, and understanding towards their children, as this forms the foundation for building strong attachments and fostering a healthy upbringing. . KEY TAKEAWAYS Attunement is crucial in parenting, as it involves tuning in and connecting with a child on an emotional level, providing understanding, validation, and support. Parents who are well attuned to their children's emotional needs and thoughts are more likely to build strong attachments and positively impact their children's mental health. Lack of attunement can lead to emotional harm and distress in children, as seen in the case of a mother who struggled to connect with her son due to her own childhood experiences. Being attuned to a child's emotions, thoughts, and needs is essential for effective parenting and sets the foundation for a child's well-being and development. Consistently providing well-attuned parenting positively impacts a child's life trajectory and is a crucial skill for parents to develop and exercise. BEST MOMENTS "When a parent or an adult is able to understand what's going on for a child and can accurately describe how a child thinks and feels, we can say that that adult is well attuned to the child." "Parents who lack the capacity to be well attuned to the needs, wishes and feelings of their children are often lacking in insight and consumed or focused on their own issues." "It appears she thought this way because her abuser, a family member, had told her that her grandmother and mother would kill her, and she had believed it." "Being attuned to your child's emotions, thoughts and needs, and being able to act consistently in accordance with those needs is one of the most important skills you can develop and exercise as a parent." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

In this episode, Michael explores the essential aspects of building positive relationships with families as a social worker. He stresses the importance of understanding the factors that can influence a family's perception of social workers and how to address any preconceived notions or negative experiences. The episode provides valuable insights on fostering trust, communication, empathy, and consistency in interactions with parents and families. It highlights the significance of genuine interest, active listening, empathy, and offering support to create meaningful connections.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Building a positive working relationship with parents and families involves addressing preconceived notions and negative perceptions early on. Demonstrating transparency, honesty, and consistency in actions and attitude is crucial for gaining trust and fostering a cooperative relationship. Actively listening, showing empathy, and treating individuals with dignity and respect are essential components of effective communication and relationship-building. Offering value through time, praise, encouragement, advice, and a positive attitude can help differentiate oneself and strengthen the bond with parents and families. Remembering special occasions, names, and stories, and approaching conversations with a focus on the individual's needs and desires can further enhance the relationship and support provided. BEST MOMENTS "Social workers are involved with instigating care proceedings as a last-ditch method to ensure the child's safety and well-being." "Developing a positive working relationship with a child and parent depends upon many factors, some of which may have nothing to do with you." "One of the fastest ways to get people to dislike you and create enmity is to criticise another and tell them that they are wrong." "Be genuinely interested in them and their life. People, even under unpleasant situations, like to know that they have the attention and interest of others." "Remember their stories and experiences too. People's experiences influence them and can make them who they become." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael delves into the challenges faced by child social workers when dealing with highly demanding and emotionally consuming cases. The episode highlights the story of a 15-year-old boy named Craig, who had a traumatic upbringing and exhibited aggressive and violent behaviour. Despite efforts to find suitable placements for Craig, his behaviour continued to pose challenges, leading to frequent changes in his living arrangements.  It sheds light on the difficult decisions social workers must make in prioritizing cases and providing the necessary support to children and families in need. KEY TAKEAWAYS Challenging Cases Monopolise Time: One or two highly challenging cases can consume most, if not all, of a social worker's time, regardless of the caseload size. Limited Resources: Social workers must make daily decisions on how to allocate limited resources to provide the most appropriate services to children and families in need. Complex Trauma: Cases like Craig's highlight the impact of complex trauma on a child's behaviour and the challenges in finding suitable placements to meet their needs. Attention to High-Risk Cases: Social workers tend to focus on cases that pose the highest risk or demand the most attention, potentially leaving other urgent cases with less immediate attention. Discretion in Time Management: Social workers have discretion in how they spend their time, often prioritising cases based on perceived risk and urgency, despite the desire to provide equitable support to all cases. BEST MOMENTS "No matter how small or large your caseload, you probably know from experience that you only need one or two highly challenging time and emotionally consuming cases to monopolise most, if not all, of your time." "Despite this reality, you still have to strive to ensure that you give each case the necessary attention, thought and consideration that each case deserves." "A case that springs to my mind involved a 15-year-old boy who I refer to as Craig. Craig was one of the most traumatised and dysregulated young men who I have ever come across." "The frustrating thing is that the nature of some cases leaves you with no choice other than focusing on them and this is all the more likely when the case is in care proceedings." "As a social worker, you have quite a bit of discretion concerning how you spend your time most constructively. But apart from what you are instructed to do by your manager or managers, your attention will tend to centre on who you perceive to be most at risk and who screams the loudest." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Join Michael as he delves into the challenges and risks faced by social workers working with children and vulnerable individuals. Through personal experiences, Michael highlights the potential consequences of complaints lodged against social workers, shedding light on the impact such accusations can have on one's career and well-being. Michael emphasises the importance of self-care and resilience in the face of adversity. He urges social workers to prioritise their own mental and emotional health amidst the demanding nature of their profession. KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Self-Care: The episode highlights the crucial role of self-care for social workers, emphasising that taking care of oneself is essential to effectively caring for others. Risks and Challenges: Michael discusses the various risks and challenges associated with working in social care, including the potential for complaints and the impact they can have on a social worker's career. Impact of Complaints: The episode shares Michael's personal experiences, illustrating how complaints from clients or families can lead to significant consequences, such as contract termination or investigations. Mental Health Awareness: Michael raises awareness about mental health issues, showcasing how parents' mental health can influence their interactions with social workers and the care they provide to their children. Need for Boundaries: The episode underscores the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining professionalism, especially when faced with challenging situations or hostile attitudes from clients. BEST MOMENTS "Your involvement saves lives, but also offers a child a better standard of care." "Undertaking this work is associated with risks, including complaints that could jeopardise your livelihood." "I was frankly astonished that I could lose a contract under such spurious allegations." "The complaints were not substantiated, but the threat of potential loss of livelihood lingered for a year." "In looking back on that case, it was one of the most unpleasant cases I've experienced." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael addresses the pervasive issue of physical violence, intimidation, and abuse faced by social care workers. Join Michael as he passionately advocates for the prioritisation of self-care among social workers, emphasising the need for proper training, support, and protection in the face of violent situations. He urges social workers to report incidents of abuse, seek necessary support, and push for systemic changes to ensure their safety and well-being.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Violence in Social Work: The prevalence of violence, intimidation, and abuse towards social care workers is a significant issue that needs urgent attention. Social workers face physical and verbal abuse, highlighting the need for change in how these situations are handled. Statistics on Violence: Shocking statistics reveal the alarming frequency of attacks on social care workers, with a social care worker being attacked every 30 minutes in the UK. The high percentage of social workers experiencing assault, harassment, or verbal abuse underscores the severity of the problem. Impact on Social Workers: Exposure to violence in social care work leads to decreased job satisfaction, increased stress levels, and feelings of vulnerability among workers. The consequences of client violence extend beyond the individual, affecting overall well-being and contributing to staff shortages. Need for Training and Support: A lack of training in dealing with violent individuals or situations leaves social workers ill-equipped to handle challenging circumstances. It is crucial for social care agencies to prioritise training, support, and protection for workers to ensure their safety and well-being. Call to Action: Employers and society at large must take a more active role in safeguarding social care workers. Encouraging reporting of abuse, providing adequate training, and implementing safety measures are essential steps to address the issue of violence in social work and protect those who dedicate their lives to helping others. BEST MOMENTS "Violence and the threat of violence should not be tolerated in any way." "Social workers routinely attend visits on their own, walking into risky and dangerous situations unprotected." "Many social workers didn't report incidents of abuse to the authorities because they believed abuse was just part of the job." "Fear or feeling vulnerable was found to be a significant consequence of client violence." "The time has come for employers and wider society to assume a far greater role in keeping social care workers safe." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Join Michael in this episode as he talks about the realities and challenges of being a social worker. Michael emphasises the need for self-care as a means of coping with the demands of the job and talks about the skills you need to work on to help manage the stress. KEY TAKEAWAYS Vital Skills Not Taught at School: Crucial skills like decision-making, influencing others, and managing relationships that are often overlooked in traditional education. Importance of Self-Relationship: The relationship one has with oneself impacts productivity, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Urgent Need for Self-Care in Social Work: There are high levels of stress, violence, and mental health challenges faced by social workers, prioritising self-care is essential. Challenges Faced by Social Workers: There needs to be a shift in societal perception and increased support for these essential professionals. Empowerment Through Self-Care: Social workers must prioritise their well-being, set boundaries, and value themselves, self-care can lead to better outcomes in their work and personal lives. BEST MOMENTS "The decisions we make in life are key to our success or lack of it." "Your ability to manage your various relationships in life is of inestimable value." "Your thoughts, feelings, and self-talk are critical to how you feel about you." "The responsibility for taking care of your health and well-being always rests solely with you." "Social workers are trying to save vulnerable people's lives and promote their health, safety, and well-being." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the challenges faced by professionals in identifying and addressing child abuse and neglect. Drawing from personal experiences as a children's guardian, Michael highlights cases where reports and referrals about children's welfare were not substantiated, leading to continued harm. The episode focuses on a specific case involving a mother, her son Kay, and their tumultuous journey through various care arrangements. Michael reflects on the missed signs and clues that could have prevented the ongoing harm to Kay and his siblings. This thought-provoking episode emphasises the importance of thorough assessments, reflection, and awareness in safeguarding children's well-being. KEY TAKEAWAYS Comprehensive parenting assessments can sometimes miss important clues and signs of harm to children if professionals are too focused on specific evidence. Professionals may fail to substantiate genuine reports and referrals about the care children are exposed to, allowing harm to continue. Parents and caregivers may present a picture that satisfies professionals' concerns, but they may lack insight into the harm they are causing due to their own childhood experiences. The case of Kay and his mother highlights the importance of reflecting on gathered information and being attuned to signs of abuse and neglect. Professionals need to prioritise safeguarding and not overlook concerns or close cases prematurely. BEST MOMENTS "Almost routinely these referrals were investigated, but found to be unsubstantiated, resulting in the child or children remaining in environments and circumstances which it was discovered, often years later, were extremely harmful to them."  "The frustrating thing was, I was always left with the feeling that surely this could have been prevented. but the parent and family had clearly chosen to do their best to pull the wool over the professional's eyes and had often been successful at doing so, albeit at the expense of their child's health and well-being."  "It was clear to me that she loved Kay, felt guilty about not caring for him and wanted to, but after only a few questions admitted she was not able to meet his needs." "This case highlighted for me how professionals, given the pressures of the work they are engaged in, and given their finite resources, can and often are persuaded by parents to accept that children are being adequately cared for when they are not."  "Missing clues and signs is something that as human beings we are all capable of doing. The willingness and ability to reflect on information gathered is thus of crucial importance to safeguarding and meeting the needs of children." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Following the death of Bronson Battersby in January of this year (2024) Michael talks about the lessons that we can all learn from this awful tragedy. He talks about the scrutiny social workers often come under in these cases and why we all have a responsibility for children's welfare and safety. KEY TAKEAWAYS The social worker went above her duty for Bronson and what she found and had to witness will stay with them forever. How does someone recover from a discovery such as Bronson's body? The social worker has unfairly been blamed and criticised by Bronson's mother and some media reports. If social workers were aware of Bronson's Dad's health issues, things could have been handled differently and led to a different outcome. We should be paying attention to when social workers get things right. To help us learn what works but also to show gratitude to their hard work. BEST MOMENTS "The social worker had done all that was required of her and more" "How does one recover from such a discovery?" "Their work is either taken for granted, minimised or taken for granted" "To expect social workers to always get it right when they consistently go unrecognised...is nothing short of folly" VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the intense and challenging experience of being a witness in a courtroom. The episode sets the stage for a high-pressure environment where there are no back doors or escape routes. The host emphasises the importance of facing the situation head-on and maintaining a positive mindset throughout the process. The episode provides practical tips for witnesses to eliminate doubt and uncertainty, master their inner conversations, and create an emotional barrier to remain composed during cross-examination.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The title of the episode, "No Place to Hide," suggests that there is no escape or option to avoid facing the challenges and conflicts that come with being in the witness box. Giving evidence in court is a serious and responsible event, and lying or being dishonest can have serious consequences, including being held in contempt of court or facing legal penalties. It is important to maintain a positive state of mind and attitude while in the witness box, as fear and weakness can attract attacks from those cross-examining you. Witnesses are fully exposed in the witness box, and others can observe and judge their level of believability based on their responses, words, and emotions. To give great evidence, it is crucial to eliminate doubt and uncertainty from your mind by thoroughly preparing, practising, and mastering your arguments, evidence, and inner conversations. BEST MOMENTS "The stage is set, there are no back doors, and there is no option other than you having to face the music."  "Giving evidence is a very responsible and serious event, and unsurprisingly there can be serious consequences if it is discovered that you have lied or are lying in court."  "If or when humans sense fear and weakness, it stirs or excites base animalistic tendencies inside them, fueling the desire to attack." "The thing that has to be grasped by all witnesses is that you are fully on show throughout your time in the witness box."  "You can remove doubt and uncertainty from your mind by repetitively going over your arguments and evidence, reasoning them out and then convincing yourself why your arguments and conclusions are sound." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the phenomenon of events and experiences repeating across generations. The focus is on the unfortunate recurrence of tragedies and hardships, such as mental illness, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, within families. Drawing from their experience in social work, Michael discusses how these painful events continue to affect parents and their children, despite the parents' desire to protect their children from such harm. The episode raises thought-provoking questions about the role of communication, support, and the need for individuals to break free from the cycle of their own childhood experiences. KEY TAKEAWAYS History has a tendency to repeat itself, particularly when it comes to negative experiences and tragedies. Many parents who have experienced trauma or abuse themselves are unable to prevent their children from facing similar situations. Lack of communication and support within families can contribute to the perpetuation of harmful experiences. Children who do not feel safe and secure in expressing their feelings are less likely to disclose abuse or seek help. Creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children requires conscious effort and a willingness to address and overcome deficiencies in one's own upbringing. BEST MOMENTS "Have you ever wondered why the events that happen in one generation tend to repeat themselves in the next and successive generations?"  "But why do we see, for example, issues such as mental ill health, sexual abuse, domestic abuse occurring in the lives of the parents and the children we work with, given that such events and experiences tend to be the last thing parents would want their children to encounter?"  "Surely you might think that any parent who has been subjected to the trauma of child sexual abuse, for instance, would ensure that their child was protected from such abuse. But too often, children remain unprotected."  "As the matter was never openly talked about, no emotional or psychological support or therapy was ever provided to her. She was left to cope with the burden of the sexual abuse totally on her own."  "In any home environment where children are not encouraged to express and share their thoughts and feelings, and when in addition parents do not actively demonstrate their attentiveness to their children and willingness to listen to, believe, support and protect them, That home environment is conducive to promoting the situations in which children can be harmed." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael reflects on his experiences giving evidence in court. He emphasises the importance of listening to the different angles from which barristers pose their questions to effectively address them as a witnesses. Michael shares examples of how they navigated challenging questions during cross-examination, highlighting the need to respond truthfully and constructively. They also discuss the significance of staying focused on the best interests of the child involved in the case, despite attempts by barristers to divert the conversation.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Pay attention to the different angles from which barristers pose their questions to witnesses. Take notes on the various ways barristers seek to discredit and undermine witnesses' evidence. Be prepared for giving evidence to increase your chances of confidently addressing any questions in the witness box. Answer each question in a positive and constructive manner, without being defensive. Stay focused on the needs of the child to avoid being led down irrelevant avenues by the barrister. BEST MOMENTS "You always have to be watching and listening... pay attention to the angles they are coming from when they address their questions to witnesses."  "The truth of the matter was that I had only had about three weeks in which to start and complete the work. So the answer to the question was a simple yes." "Whilst it's true that she met with me on six occasions, that has only been possible as a result of arranging 12 appointments with her."  "As stated in my report, I have a lot of sympathy for the mother due to her very unhappy childhood. But my focus has to be in meeting the needs of the child." "In my experience, whilst it is helpful to be as prepared as possible for the different angles of attack a barrister's questions may pose, it is even more crucial to remain constantly focused on the needs of the child."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Join Michael as he explores the importance of empathy and seeing things from the perspective of others. He emphasises how mastering this skill can greatly improve relationships and create harmony in the world. The episode delves into the significance of empathy in parenting, highlighting the detrimental effects of neglecting a child's wishes and feelings. The episode also discusses the role of professionals in understanding and advocating for children's needs, emphasising the importance of assessing what is in the child's best interest in the long term.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Developing empathy and the ability to see things from another person's perspective is crucial for building positive relationships. Failure to consider another person's point of view often leads to conflicts and misunderstandings. It is important for parents to empathise with their children's needs, wishes, and feelings to promote their self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Neglecting a child's desires and feelings can result in them feeling unimportant and can have a negative impact on their mental health. Professionals working with children, such as in court cases, need to prioritise the child's needs and perspective when making assessments and recommendations. BEST MOMENTS "One of the key skills you have to master in any relationship is the ability to see things through the eyes of other people."  "If nations could view their actions and inaction in the eyes of other nations they are in some type of conflict with, and were committed to righting any past or current wrongdoings, there would be far more harmony in the world and the world would be a safer, more peaceful place to live in." "Feeling and knowing that parents or caregivers are well tuned in to your child's feelings and desires allows children to feel emotionally held, seen, heard, acknowledged, significant and valued."  "Children are highly sensitive to their parents' behaviour and actions, and often assume far greater responsibility for a parent's actions than is proportionate with their real level of influence."  "Your ability to be sensitive to the child's various needs, having the insight concerning how the child is affected by their circumstances, whilst holding an overview of the environment and parenting they require to secure their health and development and long-term needs is crucial to display in both your assessment and the evidence you present in the witness box."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the concept of dealing with personal disasters and catastrophes. The episode begins by acknowledging the natural inclination to question why these bad things happen to us, but emphasises the importance of not remaining in a victim mindset. Michael shares personal experiences and highlights the need to let go of the past, take responsibility for one's actions, and find meaning and growth in the face of adversity. Drawing inspiration from individuals like Viktor Frankl, Helen Keller, and Harriet Tubman, the episode showcases how our worst experiences can ultimately lead to personal triumph and positive change.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Bad experiences are a part of life that happen to everyone, not just a select few. It is natural to wonder why these things happen, but dwelling on the question of "why me?" only keeps you locked in a victim mentality. Instead of focusing on the past and asking why something happened, it is more empowering to ask yourself what you can learn from the experience and what meaning you should attribute to it. Your thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present are what truly matter and determine your future outcomes. While horrendous experiences can be devastating, it is important to consider that they may have the potential to positively change you or lead to something beneficial. With time and distance, you may be able to perceive some benefits or growth that resulted from the experience. History is filled with examples of individuals who triumphed over adversity and did not allow their circumstances to define them. People like Viktor Frankl, Helen Keller, and Harriet Tubman achieved great things despite facing horrific challenges. This shows that our worst experiences do not have to define us if we choose to grow and change. Reflecting on our experiences in the long term can help us appreciate that some things happen for our benefit, even if we don't realise it at the time. Our worst experiences can lead to personal growth, a change in perspective, or the development of resilience. It is only in hindsight that we may recognise the positive impact these experiences had on our lives. BEST MOMENTS "Asking yourself that kind of question is fine if you want to remain in a woe-is-me-like state of mind, but not if you want to get over it and make the most of your life."  "You have to get to a point in life where you begin to weigh up what's helping you to progress from what's holding you back."  "Instead of asking yourself the question of why this happened to you, a more empowering question would be to ask, what can I learn from what happened to me?"  "The above-named people are examples of people who triumphed despite the huge odds stacked against them, proving that our bad or worst experiences are not what defines us." "So my worst or close to the worst experience of my life, the experience that caused me so much pain and distress, has resulted in me being able to not only give evidence very well, but also help others to do the same thing." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

In this episode, Michael reflects on the importance of addressing uncomfortable or challenging discussions. Inspired by a Simon Sinek interview, Michael talks about the need to express fears and anxieties about having these conversations with the person involved. He discusses the significance of maintaining relationships and the potential risks of ignoring unresolved issues. Michael shares personal experiences and highlights the importance of planning and preparation when approaching difficult conversations. They also discuss the potential outcomes and the need to establish boundaries and guidelines for effective communication. The episode concludes with the reminder that difficult conversations are a part of life, and the lessons learned from each experience can be valuable for personal growth and improved relationships. KEY TAKEAWAYS Difficult conversations can be approached by expressing your anxiety and fears to the other person, while emphasising the importance of the relationship. It is important to ask for permission and consider the other person's mindset before having a difficult conversation. Planning and preparation are crucial for a successful conversation, including discussing when and where it will take place, establishing confidentiality, and setting guidelines for effective communication. It is important to consider the potential consequences of the conversation but also to question the quality of the relationship if it cannot withstand a difficult conversation. Difficult conversations are a part of life, and while it is preferable to plan and prepare, sometimes it is not possible and lessons should be learned for future interactions. BEST MOMENTS "If you are fearful, or what could result from having the conversation, that you can explain or express your anxiety about it, and ask the person to be patient and understanding as concerns your fears."  "The outcome of his conversation with his friend was extremely positive because it resulted in them both being willing and able to open up and discuss a number of matters which led to their friendship being strengthened yet further." "What frequently occurs then, as a result, is that you carry around the burden of indignation or upset with you, knowing that you have to somehow discuss and air your thoughts and feelings in a constructive as opposed to destructive manner."  "The likelihood is that the worst that can happen is that the conversation becomes heated, unpleasant, and you lose your friendship. Were that to happen though, you would likely have cause to question the real quality of that friendship in the first place."  "As this example illustrates, difficult conversations are a part of life. Where it is possible to prepare, plan and enter into manageable agreements to influence the outcome in a positive way, this is clearly preferable."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael reflects on the concept of testimony and credibility in the context of a film called The Gift. The film explores the idea of extrasensory perception and the challenges of presenting such evidence in a court of law. Drawing parallels to the family court, Michael talks about the importance of thoroughly assessing and understanding the factors causing harm to a child. By gaining insight into the thoughts, behaviours, and habits of the parent or caregiver, one can predict the likelihood of future harm and present compelling evidence to support their conclusions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The film "The Gift," explores the concept of extrasensory perception or the sixth sense. The credibility of testimony in a court of law relies on the ability to provide reliable, verifiable, and logically understood evidence. Understanding the reasons behind a parent's harmful or abusive behaviour involves gaining insight into their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and parenting experiences. Predicting future behaviour and outcomes in a family court case can be achieved through thorough assessment and understanding of a parent's behaviour patterns and attitudes. Credible evidence is essential in presenting a convincing case, similar to building a solid structure with a strong foundation. BEST MOMENTS "Cate Blanchett, through her visions, was able to tell the police where to search for a woman who had been reported missing for several days."  "Her evidence was viewed as highly unusual and controversial... her testimony was both ridiculed and rubbished during cross-examination." "Understanding the reasons behind a parent's harmful or abusive behaviour invariably involves gaining insight into their thoughts and feelings, beliefs, values, parenting experiences, childhood environment and circumstances." "Your ability to predict is not because you are psychic, but because you have assessed the parent diligently, observed their responses, ascertained their beliefs, experiences and view of life." "Your evidence then is the structure upon which your arguments and conclusions are built... Without the evidence to prove your case, your arguments would not be sound and could not withstand the rigorous scrutiny of cross-examination."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the motivation behind the work that people do, particularly in professions such as social work, teaching, and nursing. The episode acknowledges the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of clients and discusses the challenges that arise when working with children and families who may not agree with the professional's perspective. The episode also highlights the indirect positive impact that making a difference in others' lives has on one's own self-esteem and the importance of valuing and improving one's own life. KEY TAKEAWAYS The motivation behind the work we do is often driven by a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients or those we support. Building positive working relationships with families can be challenging, especially when they may view social workers in a negative light. It is important to be aware of their perceptions and try to establish common ground. Taking time to develop relationships, being clear and transparent in communication, and using plain language free from jargon can help avoid misunderstandings and build trust. Being flexible, non-judgmental, and non-blaming, as well as acknowledging the strengths and valuing the thoughts and feelings of the families we work with, can contribute to productive working relationships. Making a positive difference in the lives of others not only has an impact on them but also increases our own self-esteem and sense of significance. It is important to recognise the value of our own lives and strive to be a catalyst for positive change. BEST MOMENTS "We all want to make a difference, some form of positive impact in the lives of those we work with, support or advocate for."  "Your sense of self-esteem and self-worth are increased as a result. You feel significant and this is something we all want and need to feel in some way or another."  "Having a social worker allocated to your child instantly puts parents in conflict with you because they view the presence of a social worker as an insult or slur in connection with their image as a good parent."  "No one likes to be monitored and asked to do things they don't want to do and, crucially, don't believe they need to do."  "But how do you know whether you have made a positive difference in the lives of others or not? Since the outcome of your contribution is often not easy to either identify or quantify until much later."  VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the profound impact a smile can have on a newborn baby and throughout their life. The episode emphasises the importance of a parent's smile in conveying love, trust, and a sense of belonging to their child. It highlights how a smile can shape a child's self-esteem, resilience, and ability to express love to others. The episode also discusses the power of a smile in creating healthy attachments and fostering positive relationships. Additionally, it explores the benefits of smiling for both physical and emotional well-being, including reducing pain, lifting mood, and improving the immune system.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Smiling is extremely significant for newborn babies as it conveys messages of love, trust, and acceptance. It helps them develop a sense of self-worth and establishes a healthy attachment. A smile has a powerful impact on both babies and adults. It creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere, making others feel valued and appreciated. Smiling has numerous benefits, including reducing pain, lifting mood, reducing stress, improving the immune system, and even potentially increasing lifespan. Smiling is contagious and can elicit smiles from others, creating a positive ripple effect. The episode is dedicated to Michael's nephew's newborn son, highlighting the importance of a smile and the lasting impact it can have on relationships and memories. BEST MOMENTS "Your smile says so many things to your newborn, probably more than you ever realise."  "Your smile sends a priceless message, namely that you are trustworthy and that they can trust you with their life, which is exactly what babies and children do."  "When you smile enthusiastically at a baby and display exuberance in relation to seeing them, they learn to mirror this same enthusiasm and exuberance and they feel it towards you." "No one really wants a partner or relationship with someone who just looks good and has no other valuable attributes to offer."  "Smiling aids in reducing pain since studies have shown that when you smile you release endorphins, serotonin and other natural painkillers." VALUABLE RESOURCES familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 HOST BIO Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

In this episode titled "What are you trading your life for?" Michael shares a powerful encounter in an accident and emergency waiting room. A stressful and upsetting encounter prompts Michael to reflect on the importance of discovering one's purpose in life and the impact it can have on overall well-being. The episode explores the idea of trading one's life for something meaningful and fulfilling, urging listeners to take the time to identify their purpose and make their lives truly worth living. KEY TAKEAWAYS Discovering your purpose in life is essential for finding meaning and direction. It gives your life a sense of purpose and provides a reason to get up every morning. Many people spend their time in jobs they tolerate or detest, without taking the time to think about what they would truly love to do. Investing time in finding what you love to do is crucial. Trading your life for something means dedicating your time and energy to something that you find intrinsically valuable and fulfilling. It is the difference between merely existing and thriving. People who have found their purpose and are pursuing their dreams are insulated against depression and despair. They have a deep sense of fulfillment and know that their life has meaning. Regret is a common experience for many people at the end of their lives. Taking the time now to think about what you want to do with the rest of your life can help avoid future regrets and make your life truly worth living. BEST MOMENTS "Having a clear goal in mind and a strong reason to reach your destination provides you with a purpose that not only gives you a life meaning but acts as a balm against the difficulties and challenges that we all face."  "Nearly everyone spends a lot of their time engaging in jobs that they at best tolerate and at worst detest."  "People who have found what they love spending their time doing, and who have devoted their time to pursuing their dream and making it a reality, are so inspired by their life that depression, despondency and despair are emotions and or a state of mind that they are totally insulated against."  "No matter how satisfied or dissatisfied you are with your life, take the time now to think about what you want to do with the rest of it. Decide right now to make your life really worth living."  familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode explores the importance of well-being and care for employees in various industries. Drawing from interviews with Ariana Huffington and Simon Sinek, Michael highlights the detrimental effects of neglecting the mental health and well-being of workers. The episode emphasises the need for companies to prioritise the care and empowerment of their employees, as it directly impacts productivity and the quality of service provided to clients. Michael also discusses the alarming statistics of preventable deaths in hospitals due to a focus on numbers rather than the well-being of healthcare workers.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Mental health and well-being are crucial for productivity: Ariana Huffington highlights that when employees are exhausted and burnt out, their performance suffers, leading to decreased productivity and a lack of empathy towards customers. Well-being is about empowerment, not just cuddling: Huffington explains that well-being is not simply about providing comfort to employees, but rather empowering them with the tools and support they need to be their best selves. The importance of caring for employees: Simon Sinek highlights the need for companies to care about their employees as human beings, to make them feel seen, heard, understood, and valued. This sense of care and belonging contributes to a positive work culture and personal identity within the organisation. Neglecting employee well-being has consequences: There are many negative impacts of neglecting employee well-being, such as preventable deaths in hospitals due to small mistakes caused by a lack of care and attention to the workforce. This neglect also leads to disillusionment, burnout, and health problems among employees. The need for a shift in mindset: Sinek argues that businesses should adopt a mindset focused on long-term sustainability and the well-being of employees. Operating with a finite mindset, solely driven by numbers and productivity, is not sustainable and can lead to negative outcomes for both employees and the organisation. BEST MOMENTS "Mental health and well-being are central to productivity. When I'm exhausted and burnt out, I'm the worst version of myself."  "We need to define well-being correctly. Well-being is not about cuddling an employee. It means empowering them, helping them with tools that they need to be the best version of themselves."  "There has to be this general feeling that the company cares about me as a human being, that I'm seen, that I'm heard, that I'm understood, that I believe in the vision and that I want to advance the culture." "Hospitals are run like businesses, they are run based on focusing on the numbers. This means that although they are caring for large numbers of people and are highly skilled, they work in a culture that does not care for those who are doing this vital work."  "The total lack of care offered by employers would be reasonable only if their workforce was composed entirely of artificial intelligence. Human beings though need to be cared for, listened to, valued and respected."  familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

In this episode titled "Am I on trial?", Michael reflects on his traumatic experience of giving evidence at the family court. Following the brutal death of a young child, Michael found himself feeling as though he was the one on trial for the child's murder. The intense emotions and self-doubt that accompanied his time in the witness box were exacerbated by the adversarial environment of the court and the scathing cross-examination he endured. Michael discusses the importance of maintaining control over one's emotions and thoughts while giving evidence, emphasizing the need for self-confidence and clarity. He also explores the tactics employed by barristers during cross-examination and offer insights on how to effectively defend oneself in this challenging and emotionally charged situation. Ultimately, the episode highlights the importance of presenting one's evidence calmly and convincingly to leave no doubt in the judge's mind about the reliability of their testimony. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Giving evidence in court can make you feel like you are on trial, even if you are not the defendant. The intense scrutiny and adversarial environment can lead to feelings of guilt, doubt, and questioning of one's own recollection of events. Cross-examination by barristers can be scathing and aimed at shifting blame away from their client. As a witness, especially if you were involved in the case and feel responsible for any failings, it is important to be clear and confident in your role and the work you undertook. Giving evidence is a mental and emotional game that requires control over one's emotions, thoughts, and inner conversations. It is crucial to believe in oneself and what one is saying, as negative self-talk and doubt can undermine the value of the evidence provided. Giving evidence is a serious type of game that requires understanding the roles, rules, expectations, and consequences involved. While it may seem unfamiliar, it is a game with real stakes and involves mental and emotional warfare. Barristers have tactics of emotional and psychological warfare at their disposal, and it is important to be vigilant and prepared for attacks. The best way to defend oneself against attacks during cross-examination is to remain stoic, patient, thoughtful, insightful, and convincing. Responding calmly and showcasing knowledge, wisdom, and character can leave a positive impression on the judge and demonstrate that one's evidence and conclusions can be relied upon. BEST MOMENTS"One of the first things that hit me after having had time to gather my thoughts following my first and highly traumatic experience of giving evidence at the family court was that I had the distinct feeling that I was on trial." "The scathing nature of the cross-examination I experienced, more than any other factor I could identify, was responsible for me questioning whether I was on trial for the child's murder." "Giving evidence is very much a mental and emotional game that you have to master. You have to be in control of your emotions, thoughts and inner conversations, so as to ensure that your inner discussions are fully supporting you as opposed to undermining you."  "Although it may at first sound dramatic to talk about giving evidence as a game and then refer to tactics of emotional and psychological warfare in connection with it, the reality of the situation is that when you are in the witness box, whether you realise it or not, you are engaged in a very real battle."  "The best way to play the game is not to present or behave as though you are [at war]. You leave the aggression to the barrister, your role is to remain stoic, patient, thoughtful, insightful and convincing. That is how you win the battle." CONTACT DETAILSfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 ABOUT THE HOSTMichael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

In this episode, the Incredible Witness podcast explores the challenging and often daunting experience of being a witness in court. The host acknowledges that giving evidence can be unfamiliar and potentially traumatic for most people, as it requires stepping outside of one's comfort zone. The episode delves into the skills and preparation needed to provide compelling and convincing evidence as a social work expert witness in family law cases. The importance of thorough assessment, active listening, asking insightful questions, and maintaining a balanced emotional and mental state are highlighted as crucial elements in delivering effective testimony. Listeners are encouraged to embrace the difficulties of giving evidence and strive to improve their abilities in order to navigate the stress and pressure of the witness box. KEY TAKEAWAYS Giving evidence in court can be a daunting and potentially traumatising experience for witnesses, as it is often unfamiliar and outside of their comfort zone. Preparation is crucial when giving evidence, including reviewing your own written evidence as well as the evidence of all parties involved in the case to ensure consistency and avoid any potential weaknesses or contradictions. Active listening and asking good questions are important skills for social work expert witnesses, as they help gather relevant information and ensure a comprehensive assessment. It is essential to be aware of your own potential biases and blind spots when assessing families, and to ask yourself important questions about your feelings, observations, and the child's well-being. Being organized and meticulous in sorting and analyzing the information gathered is necessary to form a clear and comprehensive picture of the child's life and the parent's parenting ability. This includes dissecting details of events and incidents and asking pertinent questions.   BEST MOMENTS "Any witness giving evidence in court or who has given evidence will testify that it is invariably a daunting and exposing experience that most people are unfamiliar with and unsurprisingly are not eager to repeat."  "Giving evidence and being cross examined is like life itself… in that it is never meant to be easy. It is a test or examination of your evidence that you provide when under very pressurized environments, better known as a stress test of your evidence."  "In my experience, and I have over 33 years of experience in this area, when given your evidence it represents the culmination of all the work you have undertaken as well as the behavioural events and experiences you have witnessed or been informed of in connection with the person or persons being assessed."  "Your ability to carefully listen to what you are told whilst assessing a client, whilst being asked questions in the witness box, and to listen to your own voice of intuition throughout are highly valuable skills that need to be honed." "Offering concise, compelling responses to questions posed to you can only be done when you are in full control of your emotional and mental state… Maintaining a positive attitude and a good measure of control throughout your time in the witness box with regard to your emotional and mental state will help you stand out and your evidence be preferred in the eyes of the judge to the evidence given by others."  ABOUT THE HOST familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Join Michael as he reflects on the profound words of his brother, who once said that trust is the foundation of any relationship. He explores the significance of trust in his work with clients, particularly in the context of helping children and families. Michael talks about the lack of trust in various relationships, such as between politicians and the electorate, and employers and employees, emphasising the importance of actions that promote trust, such as being transparent, consistent, and empathetic.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Trust is essential in all relationships: whether it's between men and women, parents and children, or professionals and clients. Without trust, it becomes difficult to help and support others effectively. Trust is the foundation for success: Trust is described as the vital ingredient or glue that holds everything together. When there is trust, it becomes easier to achieve goals and overcome obstacles. Without trust, every step becomes a mountain to climb. Actions that promote trust: Being open, transparent, consistent, and predictable are all behaviours that promote trust. Seeking permission instead of assuming it, listening attentively, admitting mistakes, displaying empathy, and being vulnerable with others are also trust-building behaviours. Actions that undermine trust: There are also behaviours that can create a lack of trust, including using force instead of obtaining consent, criticising and blaming others, lying, deceiving, and displaying a lack of care or empathy. These actions can lead to mistrust and disharmony in relationships. Surround yourself with the right people: When seeking advice or guidance, it is important to be selective about who you listen to and accept advice from. It is wise to seek counsel from individuals who have already achieved what you aspire to do. Surrounding yourself with extraordinary people who have accomplished similar goals can increase your chances of success.  BEST MOMENTS "When there is trust, you can move mountains. Without trust, every step is a mountain to climb." "In our country, and in all countries around the globe, trust and faith in others is a vital but missing ingredient, responsible for so many problems all over the world."  "Just being part of a different gender, culture, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation or speak in a different language is for a lot of people sufficient to engender both suspicion and mistrust."  "Your confidence in yourself is the ingredient that makes all the difference between success and failure."  Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the challenges of remaining calm and composed during cross-examination in a courtroom setting. The episode emphasises the importance of self-control and managing emotions while giving evidence, highlighting the need to maintain a balanced state of mind. Michael provides insights on how to prepare and practice effectively, as well as the significance of showcasing knowledge, skills, and experience during examination. The episode also discusses the role of maintaining emotional balance in answering questions and making well-reasoned arguments.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Maintaining a calm and balanced emotional state is crucial when giving evidence in court. It allows you to think clearly, answer questions effectively, and present yourself in a confident manner. Preparation and practice are essential before attending court. This includes reading all relevant documents, noting down questions, and forming clear conclusions about the child's best interests. Balancing your emotional state is key to managing your ability to listen and answer questions. Falling off balance can harm your presentation and make it difficult to regain composure. Giving evidence requires a range of skills, including the ability to listen, think on your feet, make accurate decisions, and convey responses professionally. It is important to weigh and balance each step before speaking. Being aware of potential traps set by barristers during cross-examination is crucial. While being conscious of where questions may be leading, it is important to provide adequate answers and compelling reasons for the judge to be influenced by your evidence. BEST MOMENTS "You have to manage any feelings of anxiety and dispel thoughts of doubt and uncertainty from your mind."  "Your preparation and practice of both perfecting your arguments and maintaining a calm emotional state and attitude are all essential prior to attending court."  "The key to being able to skillfully execute answering questions lies in your ability at all times to maintain as close to perfect balance with regard to your emotional state."  "Speaking prior to thinking is guaranteed to be taken advantage of by anyone cross-examining you."  "Balance in giving evidence is as imperative as developing balance in your personal life." familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

In this episode titled "Guarantees," Michael explores the human desire for security and certainty in various aspects of life. From infancy to adulthood, we seek the reassurance of love and stability from our caregivers. The episode delves into how inconsistent and unpredictable parenting can have long-lasting effects on individuals, hindering their ability to cope with uncertainty. It also discusses the importance of guarantees in sales and how removing risk can make offers more enticing. The episode challenges listeners to shift their mindset from seeking guarantees to adopting an attitude of believing in their own ability to succeed. KEY TAKEAWAYS The need for security and guarantees is deeply ingrained in human nature, starting from infancy. Knowing with certainty that we are loved and supported provides us with the foundation for self-esteem, well-being, and resilience throughout life. In a world full of uncertainty, many people spend a significant amount of time seeking guarantees and certainty, even though such guarantees do not exist. This desire for certainty can hinder individuals from taking advantage of promising opportunities due to the perceived risks involved. Salespeople understand the importance of removing as much risk as possible in the minds of prospective buyers. They utilise strong guarantees and bonuses to encourage potential buyers to take action. By providing proof of the benefits and minimizing perceived risks, salespeople create irresistible offers. When pursuing something of great value, it is important to recognise that there will always be risks involved. Instead of seeking guarantees, individuals should adopt a mindset that believes it is impossible to fail as long as they never give up. Persistence, determination, and a strong desire to achieve their goals become their own guarantee of success. The greatest risk is to do nothing at all. Playing it safe and avoiding risks may seem like a secure option, but it ultimately leads to stagnation and missed opportunities. Taking calculated risks and embracing the possibility of failure is necessary for personal growth and achieving meaningful success. BEST MOMENTS "From our earliest moments, when distressed as a young baby, we seek the security of knowing that our caregivers will be there to give us the love, attention, affection, food and comfort that we need to survive and thrive."  "In a world that is full of uncertainty, knowing that you have been able to depend upon predictable, nurturing care throughout one's childhood is a priceless gift that so many are denied."  "Irresistible offers are offers that almost seem too good to be true because they are stacked in such a way that the risk seems small or non-existent when compared to the value or benefits of what it seems almost inevitable a buyer will get from the transaction."  "But what if, instead of being in a state of paralysis due to indecision, doubt and fear, you were able to adopt a different attitude?"  "Instead of looking for security and guarantees, they adopted a state of mind that knew it was impossible to fail, as long as they never stopped trying."  familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode explores the importance of finding a balance between predictability and surprise in our lives. Drawing parallels between storytelling and real life, Michael emphasises the need for unpredictability in books and films to keep us engaged and captivated. However, in our own lives, we crave a certain level of predictability and stability to feel in control. The episode delves into the significance of predictability in early childhood development, highlighting how consistent and loving interactions from parents shape a child's brain and foster healthy attachments. Michael also discusses the impact of inconsistent parenting and the importance of positive eye contact in a child's perception of themselves and the world.  Predictability is important in both storytelling and real life. In books and movies, predictability can lead to boredom, while in real life, a balance between predictability and surprise is desired. Predictable care is crucial for the healthy development of babies and young children. Consistent and repetitive acts of care, such as responding to their cries and providing soothing actions, help them feel loved, valued, and secure. Inconsistent parenting can have negative effects on a child's self-esteem and ability to trust. If a parent fails to provide predictable care, the child may feel abandoned, rejected, and insignificant, impacting their overall well-being. Positive eye contact and consistent nurturing behaviours from parents shape a child's brain development and their ability to feel love and learn empathy. Parents play a critical role in determining a child's fundamental views about themselves and the world. Predictability is also important in adult life. Uncertainty and unpredictability can lead to hesitation and a lack of progress. To achieve success, individuals need to be consistent and predictable in their actions and behaviours, taking responsibility for their own endeavours. BEST MOMENTS "When reading a book or watching a film, one of the last things you want to experience is predictability since that will pretty much guarantee you feeling bored or sending you to sleep." - Host (23 words) "Babies who receive appropriate care learn over a period of time that when they cry or are distressed that their parent, who is well attuned to their needs and feelings, will hear their cries and appear to provide actions designed to soothe their upset." - Interviewee (42 words) "It affects how their brain develops, impacting on how they begin to feel, think and learn to make sense of their world." - Interviewee (24 words) "Parents, on the other hand, who are eager to offer their infants the best possible care will do all they can to provide them with comfort and reassurance that they are loved and wanted and belong to them." - Interviewee (41 words) "The only thing you can be certain of, that's absolutely guaranteed, is that you cannot be successful if you fail to start it." - Host (24 words) [00:02:23] Development of healthy attachments. [00:07:48] Positive eye contact and comfort. [00:08:42] Positive predictability in parenting. familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explores the concept of influence and its impact on our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Drawing from personal experiences and examples, he highlights the importance of being aware of the information we consume and the people we allow to influence us. This episode emphasises the need to question and challenge our own thoughts and seek out reliable and qualified sources of influence that align with our goals and aspirations.  KEY TAKEAWAYS It is important to be aware of the influence of external information and experiences on our thoughts and beliefs. The transcript highlights how information from the media and others can shape our perceptions and lead to biased or unfair judgments. Self-awareness is crucial in recognizing our own biases, blind spots, and idiosyncrasies. Understanding our own tendencies and beliefs can help us be more objective and ensure that our thoughts and evidence align with the facts and evidence in a given situation. Asking questions and seeking clarification is essential in avoiding unfair judgments or negative assumptions about others. The transcript emphasizes the importance of questioning the basis of others' opinions and seeking a fuller context before forming judgments. Being mindful of the influence of positive messages and inspirational figures can lead to personal growth and a different perspective on life. The transcript highlights how listening to someone who inspires and resonates with us can uplift our emotions and motivate us to become a better version of ourselves. Choosing the right influences is crucial for personal growth and achieving our goals. It is important to carefully consider who we allow to influence us and ensure that they align with our desired direction and goals. Following others without a clear destination or purpose can lead to stagnation and lack of progress. BEST MOMENTS "Once you have heard a piece of evidence, it's hard then to behave as though you haven't."  "We all have blind spots, biases, values, beliefs, proclivities and idiosyncrasies, whether we recognize this or not."  "It's easy to be influenced by what you see and hear on the television, but it's just as easy to be influenced by what friends or colleagues say to you." "What these experiences taught me was the necessity of asking questions of others and myself."  "Make sure you are being influenced only by those who are qualified to lead you in the destination you desire."  familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael shares a personal experience that made him reflect on the value of time and the way we often take it for granted. This incident prompted him to contemplate the brevity of life and the importance of making the most of our time. Michael discusses how many people live for the weekends, not truly enjoying the weekdays because they are not doing what they love. The episode encourages listeners to prioritise their passions and make the most of their time by pursuing meaningful goals and becoming the best version of themselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS Time is a precious and limited resource: it's important to recognise the finite nature of time and not take it for granted.  Pursue what you love: Prioritise doing things you are passionate about and find fulfilment in your work. Finding a job or pursuing activities that bring joy and satisfaction can make a significant difference in your life. Make the most of every moment: Live in the present and make the most of each day, be fully engaged in your activities and don't let time slip away without purpose or intention. Have a sense of urgency: Develop a sense of urgency in pursuing your goals and dreams. Stop procrastinating and take action as time waits for no one. Prioritise and eliminate distractions: Identifying and prioritising tasks and goals is crucial for making progress. You can even create a "not-to-do" list and eliminate activities or habits that do not contribute to personal growth or fulfilment. BEST MOMENTS "Had I just recklessly risked my life? If so, what madness had possessed me?"  "It was without doubt a surreal moment. I was there, but another part of me wasn't, as if I was watching myself from a slight distance."  "Although quite why we fail to think about this and live our lives to the full, giving it all we've got, fully cognizant of the reality that our lives could come to an end at any time is a bit of a mystery."  "Every hour that passes is an hour that can never be retrieved. Once it is gone, it's gone forever. No amount of money can buy you back the time that has elapsed."  "When you're doing something you love, time flies, because you're so captivated by it that you lose your sense of time whilst engaged in it."  familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Join Michael as he explores the significance of our childhood experiences in shaping our personalities and lives. He emphasises the role of parents in a child's development, highlighting how their actions and behaviours convey important messages to children. The episode delves into the impact of consistent eye contact, warmth, and love from parents, as well as the consequences of exposure to conflict and violence. Michael also discusses the importance of understanding one's own childhood experiences and how they can influence our parenting styles. By reflecting on our childhood and challenging any negative beliefs or burdens we may carry, we can make positive changes in our lives as adults. KEY TAKEAWAYS Our childhood experiences shape our self-image and view of the world: Our childhood is a crucial time where we learn about our self-worth, how others see us, and whether the world is a safe or unsafe place. The way our parents behave and interact with us greatly influences these perceptions. Consistent warm eye contact and positive attention are essential for a child's development: Giving a child eye contact, smiling at them, and showing genuine interest and attention conveys that they are valued and loved. This helps them develop a sense of worth and a secure base for life. Childhood experiences impact our parenting style: The way we were parented often influences the way we parent our own children. Understanding our own childhood experiences, including the level of affection, discipline, encouragement, and praise we received, can provide insights into our parenting capacity. Subjective evaluation of childhood may not be objective: Parents may rate their childhood experiences highly, even if they were exposed to adverse events or trauma. This could be due to a tendency to remember happy events and bury painful ones. It highlights the need to critically reflect on our childhood experiences and challenge any negative beliefs we may have developed. Reflecting on our childhood can lead to personal growth: Taking the time to reflect on our childhood experiences and the messages we received can help us identify and challenge any untrue or negative beliefs we may hold about ourselves. This reflection can lead to personal growth, improved self-esteem, and a more positive outlook on life. BEST MOMENTS "Our childhood is the foundation on which our personality, life, and experiences are built." "A simple yet consistent action such as giving you eye contact and smiling at you tells you that you are visible and significant enough to be accepted and receive attention." "Childhood is significant because what we learn in our childhood we invariably are inclined to carry forward into our adult lives and affects the parents we become." "Reflecting back over your childhood and identifying the messages you received or the interpretations you made from your childhood experiences is a highly useful thing to do." "Taking the time to reflect on your childhood and deciding as an independent adult what you wish to believe about yourself is a wise and fruitful course of action to take." familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

This episode explores the lasting impact of discriminatory experiences on individuals and communities. Michael discusses how even a single instance of unfair treatment can leave a negative emotional residue, but when discrimination occurs regularly, it can lead to feelings of persecution, anger, and resentment. Michael emphasises the compounding effect of repeated discrimination, which can have detrimental effects on mental health, self-esteem, and confidence. He also shares a personal experience as a social worker, highlighting the importance of recognising and addressing bias in professional assessments. Overall, the episode sheds light on the pervasive nature of discrimination and the need for greater awareness and understanding of its impact. KEY TAKEAWAYS Discriminatory experiences can have a lasting impact on individuals, leading to negative feelings such as resentment, confusion, anger, and bitterness. Regular exposure to discrimination can compound the negative effects, leading to mental health issues, low self-esteem, and a lack of confidence. Discrimination can be traumatic, and repeated experiences can magnify the response to the trauma, causing individuals to become vulnerable, distressed, and anxious. Social workers need to have a clear understanding of how discrimination and oppression impact individuals and communities and be aware of how their own biases can contribute to discriminatory experiences. It is important for individuals to recognise their own capacity for bias and be conscious of the impact discrimination has on marginalised groups, who often live their entire lives in the shadow of discrimination. BEST MOMENTS "People who have lived through any discriminatory experience almost inevitably develop strong feelings towards those they see as having wronged them, and these feelings if experienced often, may develop into feelings of persecution." "If you regularly are subjected to discriminatory experiences, you become far less ease to shrug it off because the impact has a compounding effect." "The experiences are traumatic and the compounding impact is such that not only are recipients of discrimination unable to shrug off the effects, but because they occur often, the impact is pervasive and sensitising, causing people to become vulnerable, distressed and anxious." "Individuals or groups of people who are subjected regularly to discrimination begin to look for and expect the same or similar treatment waiting for them around the corner." "Certain discriminated groups though live their entire lives in the shadow of discrimination and this splights their lives to a far greater degree than the majority of people ever even begin to realize." familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

In this episode the host of the Incredible Witness Podcast reflects on the demanding nature of being a social worker, drawing a comparison to the character Reed from the Fantastic Four who could stretch his limbs. The host discusses the constant need for social workers to go above and beyond to safeguard children and families, often facing uncomfortable and challenging tasks. They highlight the immense pressure and time constraints faced by social workers involved in court proceedings, where every action is scrutinised. The episode emphasises the importance of self-care and setting clear goals to avoid burnout and maintain well-being in a role that can be both rewarding and taxing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Social workers are expected to stretch and extend themselves in order to safeguard children and promote their well-being. They often have to perform uncomfortable and challenging tasks that others would shy away from. Court work in social work is particularly demanding and stressful. Everything is urgent all the time, and social workers are constantly under pressure to complete assessments and tasks within a specific time frame set by the court. Social workers in court proceedings are subject to scrutiny and criticism from other parties involved in the case, as well as from the judge. Non-compliance with court instructions can lead to severe criticism and negative consequences. It is important for social workers to be aware of their limits and prioritise their health and well-being. Burnout, ill health, and disillusionment can occur if they do not set boundaries and take time to reflect on their feelings and thoughts regularly. Having a clear purpose and goal in mind is essential for social workers to maintain their effectiveness and well-being. It is important to know why they are doing the job and set a timeframe or achieve a standard that holds intrinsic value to them. BEST MOMENTS"Social workers are invariably called upon and expected to stretch and extend themselves in the course of their work to safeguard the child or promote their well-being, and not just for now, but throughout their childhood.""No matter how stressed and exhausted you might be, who cares? No one but you. You have to face the fact that it's simply the nature of your job.""Being prepared for the unexpected, as well as the unexpected, is key to managing life to the best of your abilities.""How far can you be stretched and yet remain resilient? How far or to what extent can you be stretched and continue to show empathy for others, when it feels like little or no empathy has been shown to you?""Being stretched and pulled out of your comfort zone is necessary in order to grow and develop towards a worthwhile goal. You have set your sights on, but to be challenged and stretched endlessly in the absence of a clear purpose in mind merely invites ill health and other undesirable consequences."ABOUT THE HOSTfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.comInstagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael addresses the challenges faced by children's social workers and the lack of time and support they have to do quality work. He highlights the pressure and workload that social workers face, often taking their work home and sacrificing personal time. He discusses the emotional and mental exhaustion of dealing with multiple cases simultaneously, likening it to a headless chicken running around. The episode also explores the contradiction between the importance of self-care and the demanding nature of the work.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The workload and expectations in the field of children's social work often leave little time for quality work, leading to high levels of stress and pressure. Social workers often struggle to find time for self-care and personal life due to the demanding nature of their work, which can lead to burnout and high turnover rates. While social workers are encouraged to prioritize the feelings and wishes of the children and families they work with, their own thoughts and feelings are often disregarded or seen as insignificant by managers and organizations. The lack of empathy and care shown by some managers and organizations towards social workers can contribute to a negative work environment and a sense of being undervalued. The social work profession needs to address these issues and prioritize the well-being and support of its workforce in order to retain and attract talented individuals. BEST MOMENTS "The problem, at least as I see it, is that due to the pressure of the workload and what your organisation expects of you, there is little if any time to do quality work." "Frequently people take their work home and do it in the evenings and weekends. But of course the issue with this is that it eats into valuable time that you need to have free in order to care for yourself and manage your life." "As I write these words a picture forms in my mind of a headless chicken running around all over the place, exhausted, directionless and unproductive due to attempting to deal with multiple emergencies simultaneously." "We know there is a national shortage of social workers and that numbers of children and families requiring social work involvement are continuing to rise." "Their behavior which I have little doubt is mirrored by the examples other social workers face up and down the country speaks volumes about the lack of care that exists in the profession that purports to care so much about children." ABOUT THE HOST familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

When encountering problems in life it is advantageous to know when getting ready to fight a situation exactly what it is you can change and what you can't. Knowing what is a worthwhile challenge and a sensible and well-placed use of your efforts, directly affects the effectiveness of your influence.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  When considering pushing back it is best to examine exactly how much influence you can have and how much change you can effect.  Be clear about your goals to further clarify where your efforts are best placed.  The events that seem most disastrous and happening just to you affect most of us throughout our lives. Identify events in your life that have helped you to grow, even though, at the time, they seemed devastating.  BEST MOMENTS ‘To make informed, thought-out decisions it requires that you invest the time and effort to examine what is the best course of action likely to lead to the desired outcome.'‘Sometimes events just turn your life upside down and cause you a great deal of anguish.'‘Are you going to allow yourself to be defined by whatever life throws at you or will you be defined by what you choose to do with whatever happened to you?' CONTACT METHODfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.comInstagram: michael240656Linkedin ABOUT THE HOSTMichael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael explains the trauma response, the body and mind long-term reaction to distressing events, and its particular impact on young children including their vulnerability at a very early age to abuse.  KEY TAKEAWAYS When something occurs of particular impact to your senses, the impact is registered first at the brain stem, where your basic regulatory functions reside.  Young children do not yet have a fully developed trauma mitigating cortex so ate fully exposed to trauma imprinting especially before the age of 3. Early experiences of abuse are imprinted on a child and cause lifelong stress responses to similar circumstances.  BEST MOMENTS‘The incident then having triggered an association with a highly distressing past memory results in the individual being totally hijacked by the trauma of a past event.'‘The impact of trauma is far more deleterious to children, especially very young, preverbal children.'‘When a child experiences abuse their brain may make an association between particular features of the perpetrator and the circumstances of the abuse.' CONTACT METHODfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.comInstagram: michael240656Linkedin ABOUT THE HOSTMichael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

If you want to achieve your goals, you can create complete commitment in yourself by removing your means of retreat. Michael points out that winning is easier if it is your only option.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Forego a ‘Plan B'. It is an acknowledgement of the voices of naysayers.  Keeping in place a tactic for retreat draws time from your effort towards your goal. BEST MOMENTS ‘Napoleon Hill states that any person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his bridges and erase from his mind any thought of failure or retreat. Only by doing so can you be certain of maintaining the state of mind otherwise known as the burning desire that's vital to success.'‘You have to be prepared to get away from the crowd and follow the dream that means everything to you.'‘It means you have to go all in and make a firm decision that you're going to dedicate everything in your power to the end result you want.' CONTACT METHODfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.comInstagram: michael240656Linkedin ABOUT THE HOSTMichael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

We all make mistakes, but when we fail to correct a mistake, we have just made yet another error. Michael explains to avoid a cascade of constant errors, always take responsibility for your mistakes, hold yourself to account and constantly be willing to learn.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Fix and learn from your mistakes to reach a momentum of constant improvement.  Expect mistakes and loss as this is all part of improvement. Observe your performance.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘Habits once formed have become ingrained and become harder to fix, requiring time and sustained effort to change.' ‘Even when you do well there are aspects you can learn from to improve on.' ‘Just because you win or succeed in any undertaking, it doesn't mean that you cannot learn a great deal more from observing your performance.' ‘Even if you feel that you are pretty much content with your life just the way it is, there are likely at least one or two areas of your life that you could do with some improvement.'   CONTACT METHODfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.comInstagram: michael240656Linkedin ABOUT THE HOSTMichael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Michael recalls his first experience in the witness box and explains that when it comes to testifying in the family court you really are all on your own. KEY TAKEAWAYS Be prepared and ready for court. No one can come to your rescue in the middle of proceedings. The court is always under great pressure to complete cases and move on to the next one. It is essential to listen to every question carefully and consider your reply. BEST MOMENTS ‘I was just thinking about the first time I ever gave evidence and how I tentatively searched the faces of the people observing me in the witness box, naively, in a futile attempt to see if there was anyone that I could call upon to help me.' ‘Blaming others never helps or addresses the problem.' ‘During the management of the case, the judge is careful to identify those matters where evidence needs to be heard and only chooses those witnesses whose evidence is crucial to determine the outcome of the case.' CONTACT METHOD familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Linkedin ABOUT THE HOST Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.  

Most people are concerned with what others think of them but in this episode, Michael tackles how you should alter your mindset to honour what you think of yourself primarily and pursue the goals that you desire and are relevant to your needs, and how this can give you an advantage in the court setting.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  It is unwise to be concerned about external things and waste time and effort trying to manipulate other people's thoughts on you.  How you feel about yourself is more important. Prioritise how you communicate with yourself in your internal chatter. It rarely makes sense to compare yourself to others as we are all unique.   BEST MOMENTS ‘How useful is it to spend time worrying about what other people will think when they are not living your life or facing your reality?'‘No one who attains great success in life does so by following friends and people in your social circle who are all doing pretty much the same thing and following the same sort of code that existed in school.' ‘The problem is that a lot of people are so concerned with what others think of them that they never take the time to explore who they are and what exactly they want from life.'  CONTACT METHODfamilycourtcoaching@gmail.comInstagram: michael240656LinkedinABOUT THE HOSTMichael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.

Many parents and guardians fail to recognise how every word, facial expression, gesture or action gives the child a message about their self-worth. Michael explains how important it is to acknowledge your influence over children through your communications with them and how easily it can be to casually damage a child's self-esteem.    KEY TAKEAWAYS  Everything a parent does including tone of voice, cadence, silence, body language and use of eye contact all send a form of communication to children.  Misunderstandings in the parent-child relationship are common. It is easy for a child to not only attach far greater relevance to an action taken by the parent but to also overestimate their own involvement in those actions.   Parents often minimise the effect of their own actions on their children by refusing to acknowledge the deep effects such actions can have. Always bear in mind non-verbal communication when conveying your point and check how the message has been received especially involving children who can very easily misunderstand.    BEST MOMENTS  ‘Communication between parents and children is complex and confusing because even when parents are conscious of exactly the message they want to send, often this is not the message picked up by the child.'  ‘It is so easy to crush a person's dreams by careless words and gestures. Sometimes this is done by loved ones who assume they know what is best for you consciously intend to burst your bubble because they believe your dreams are never going to become manifest.' ‘When placed in the witness box, describing serious events related to a child's welfare, your facial expressions naturally need to reflect your solemn and sincere contemplation in regard to their safety and well-being.'  CONTACT METHOD familycourtcoaching@gmail.com Instagram: michael240656 Linkedin ABOUT THE HOST Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court', and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court', provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.