The manual is based on the experiences of the Children's Hearings Project, a demonstration program to test the applicability of mediation to family cases before the Massachusetts courts, particularly those involving status offenders. The first chapter defines mediation within the context of other dispute resolution options and discusses its application to conflicts between parents and children. A description of the mediator's role focuses on its strengths and limitations as well as characteristics vital to effectiveness, such as communication skills, objectivity, and patience. The manual outlines eight stages in the mediation process and explores sequentially-developed themes: setting the stage, defining, processing and resolving the issues, and making the agreement. Suggestions address integrating family members and other parties into a mediation, difficult situations that commonly arise in parent-child mediation, and the role of social services. Forms used in the mediation process are appended, as are 11 references.