'We stopped noticing our children': Estonian parents share family mediation experience

Estonian couple Germo and Anneli Grünthall have shared their experience with family mediation, revealing that they initially avoided seeking help but eventually turned to a mediator for the sake of their children's well-being.

An Estonian couple, Germo and Anneli Grünthall, have opened up about their journey through family mediation, shedding light on a process that remains unfamiliar to many families in Estonia.

Germo Grünthall admitted that he was reluctant to acknowledge the problems in his relationship and believed he could resolve them on his own. Like many people, he initially resisted the idea of involving a third party in deeply personal family matters.

Anneli Grünthall explained that the turning point came when the couple realised the impact their situation was having on their children. «We stopped noticing our children,» she said, describing the moment they decided to seek professional help. It was primarily for the children's well-being that they chose to contact a family mediator.

Family mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps couples or families work through conflicts and reach agreements, particularly in matters involving children. In Estonia, awareness of this service is still growing, and stories like the Grünthalls' help illustrate how it can make a meaningful difference for families in crisis.