Father’s Perspective in Custody Disputes
By Dawn A. Nee, Esquire
Resource Books:
Weekend Fathers – Silver & Silver
Divorce Poison – Dr. Warshan
Custody for Fathers
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Father’s Rights – Jeffery Leving
Fighting for your Children
Father’s Emergency Guide to Divorce-Custody Battle
Client Suggestions:
1. Stay in the home, do not leave without your children
2. Be a primary caretaker
a. Schedule and attend the children’s events
b. Make time for the children, e.g., kids are first and work is second
c. Shop for the children
d. Fix healthy meals
e. Help around the house (laundry, bathing, etc)
3. Know important facts about your children
a. Know their friends
b. Know their likes and dislikes
c. Know what they are doing in school
d. Help them with their homework
4. Play games with them, read books, go on trips
5. Cook nutritious meals for the children
6. Be involved in their school (PTA, volunteer, attend meetings)
a. Make sure that you are included on the emergency card
7. Be home with the children at night
8. Working from home is always good
9. Take child development and parenting classes
10. Interview all potential child care providers
a. Consider paying them (they will be more cooperative with you and friendly to you if you are paying the bill)
11. Practice your religion with the children
12. Take a lot of photo’s of you with the children, documenting your time together
13. Save projects your child made or you make together for Guardian Ad Litem
14. Watch other contested trials at the courthouse (a few if possible)
15. Get a physical to make sure you are healthy
16. Go to counseling
17. Document everything you do with your children on a calendar (and occurrences with your ex)
18. Take a witness with you when going to get the children or returning them
19. Do not drink or do drugs at all
20. Put the children’s needs first
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