Parental Rights
By TLChimes
@TLChimes (4822)
United States
August 13, 2015 11:31am CST
Do you think it is alright to keep a child away from their other parent. And before you ask, the other parent has done nothing violent, neglectful, or otherwise harmful.... they just stopped being your mate.
I think that parenting is hard on your own. If the child's other parent wants to be involved and wants to help raise their child, why would you say no or make it so hard for them to do it well?
I also think it is harmful to keep a child from his other family unless there is a very good reason. You should try to find a way to work it out for his sake.
By the way, I am a parent that made sure my children saw their other parent if the other parent wanted that visit. I am also the grandmother of a child that has been kept from his family because his mother is kind of a big meanie head.
6 people like this
6 responses
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Aug 15
I know there can be issues between ex-mates - but that's no reason to take it out on the child nor others who do love the child - especially when they are safe, trusted people. I know a family where the ex-couple completely hate each other, but they have made it pleasant for the kids to be able to go back and forth (the mother cries behind their backs, understandably, but she is doing this for the kids as their dad is their dad). Sorry you have to deal with a big meanie head! 
3 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Aug 15
@TLChimes Wow. How can a mother say such a thing! I don't know all the circumstances, but that is completely not fair to the child and depriving him of getting to know his family who obviously love him. It's as if the mother is using her child as ammo to "get back" - grrr.
3 people like this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
14 Aug 15
@much2say She has been doing it all along. When they were still in the beginning stages of the pregnancy, she would threaten to abort the baby if she got mad. My son would do what he could to calm her but I had no time for that. I warned him then that she would do something bad.
She broke it off with him when he answered a question she asked in a way she didn't like. "Who do you love more, me or the baby. Who's more important"
I raised him under the rule that my children (until they are on their own) come above anyone else because they didn't choose to be born to me and have no choice but to go along with the life I lay out for them. I guess he carried that on to his son and it made her mad.
3 people like this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Aug 15
It's better for the kids if they get to have a relationship with both parents, as long as both parents are safe and healthy people for them to be involved with. One parent should never punish the other parent by withholding visitation.
3 people like this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
14 Aug 15
This exactly how I feel about it. You know, the child did choose to be brought into this world and to deal with the parents they have. It is our job as their parents to give them the best chance at a happy, well managed life. Two people created that child and, without drama, they should raise that child together even if they are apart.... unless there is a heck of a good reason for it to be otherwise.
2 people like this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
15 Aug 15
I am all for children seeing their parents and other family members. Unfortunately so many parents do not want to see their own children. My cousin does this with her son. The dad does not pay child support on a regular basis and she refuses to let him see his son. This hurts the child because he has a good relationship with his dad and being only 6 years old he does not understand. It is such a sad situation and one day my cousin will have to reap what she is sewing as I am afraid so will your daughter. I hope that they both change their minds for the sake of the children.
2 people like this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
15 Aug 15
My son had wanted to see his child and always tried to give them what they needed. (diapers and such) but then the child's mother cut off all communication.
My daughter doesn't see her birth father by his choice to start with and now by her's. He hasn't paid child support in years but I never kept them apart for it. It was his actions that made it turn out has it has.
Money and such are not a reason to deny visits. Bad behavior (doing bad things to or around the child) is.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
15 Aug 15
I guess that I am one of those "special circumstances", because my ex and I get along very well and always have ... well, of course there were some issues otherwise we wouldn't be exes ... and we always did things together with the children. We tried to keep our separation as easy and seamless as it possibly could be for the sake of the children. In fact, we are still friends and do things for and with each other to this day.
There have been people over the years, however, that have criticized our relationship and tried to change it. Apparently, when you break-up/divorce, then you are supposed to hate each other and cut all ties, even if there are children involved. I completely disagree with this theory. Obviously there are times when the two parents just cannot get along, but they still should try to be as civil and cooperative as possible if only for the fact that they will be in each other's lives forever if they have children together.
2 people like this
