It Didn’t Occur to Them to Look at the Trees

In this case, helping them look at the trees included telling them that looking at trees might be to their advantage. That happens pretty often in mediation — being aware of ways others have resolved similar problems and offering those ideas for consideration. Recently I worked with a separated couple (who might reconcile) who couldn’t figure out how to make ends meet financially. It had not occurred to them that they could sell their expensive cars and buy less expensive but reliable cars. They were thinking of selling their house when all they need to do was downsize their cars.