Maryland Community Forum
Eleven Commandments for Divorced Parents (Both of You)
Document Actions
|
By Meiselman & Helfant, LLC
Published: July 17, 2004 |
- Never make visitation arrangements directly with children under 12. Never suggest visitation arrangements you have not previously discussed with the other parent to children under 12. Confirm with the other parent any visitation arrangements made with children 12 and over.
- Send and return children who are not dirty, tired or hungry. Do not send or return a sack or suitcase full of dirty clothes.
- Do not use a telephone answering device to screen calls from the other parent. Do not limit telephone access between your children and the other parent--except after your children's actual bedtime, not the one you'd like them to have.
- Do not discuss divorce or custody disputes with your children. Do not discuss divorce or custody disputes within earshot of your children.
- Do not send messages or money with your children. Do not exchange messages or money in front of your children.
- Do not permit children to call stepparents or anyone else "Mom" or "Dad."
- Do not speak ill of the other parent--or of his or her relatives, friends, or loved ones.
- Do not ask your children for information about the other parent's household, friends, income or activities.
- Do not believe everything you hear from your children.
- Do not second-guess the other parent regarding discipline, rewards, or anything else. Give a sympathetic ear to your children, but affirm and reaffirm as often as necessary that you are not a referee or a mediator between your children and the other parent.
- Be polite. Do not honk your horn. Do not raise your voice. Go up to the other parent's door, but do not go inside unless invited by an adult. Have the children ready to go. Be on time. Smile.
Last modified: January 12, 2005 - 12:16 PM
 View author's page |
 Send this article |
 Print this article |
Maryland Divorce Forum
Divorce and Children
