After separation you need to be able to discuss issues that affect the children without being stuck in old battles.

What’s important is how you handle your differences: not that they exist. Sorting out issues is part of everyday life.

There is almost no end to what sparks confl ict during separation:
- Differences of opinion.
- Complaints about how agreements/arrangements are carried out.
- Criticism about behaviour/attitude.
- Doing the opposite to what was asked.

Button pressing is where you feel you are being deliberately
aggravated by your ex. This might include:
1. Reading what your ex has said about you in documents that you
believe not to be true.
2. Purchasing things for the children without discussing it with you fi rst.
3. Returning children without their clothes or other items they
left with.
4. Deliberately bringing up past
arguments or differences of opinion.