Children’s Voices
“I was forced to live by family court decisions and found life very unsettling being forced to go to my fathers house every 2nd weekend. He was and still only has a relationship with us for him. He has no real interest in our lives. He just likes to feel like Daddy. But when we actually need him he is not there. We were forced to see him even when we didn’t want to and when we said we didn’t want to go Mum got the blame for it. When it was not her fault she was just an amazing parent and he was not. I see all these Dads who leave the primary care up to the mothers until they separate and go to court and then all of sudden want to become dad of the year. Just leave us kids alone, and in the hands of the primary carer. I feel so so sorry for all these poor kids in 50/50 care. This law serves the parents not the kids.”
Posted by: A.Nolan 5:02pm 16/07/2009
“I’m so glad this wasn’t the case back in the 80’s when my parents divorced. My mum received full custody and my dad visitation rights. It was bad enough having my brother and my lives (aged from 12 down to 2) turned upside down every second weekend and school holidays having to move between my mum and dad. Thankfully my father decided not long after that he had better things to do with his life that stay in contact with his 4 kids, so my brothers and I grew up in a very happy and stable home with my mum and step-dad. I know friends who have been forced into this 50/50 arrangement with their ex’s, and it’s the kids who suffer.”
Posted by: Child of Divorced Parents of Melbourne 8:35am 16/07/2009
Comment 23 of 42
Source: Readers’ Comments, from Herald Sun Article “‘Ping-pong’ kids in hell”
Childrens Stories – Two children tell how the Family Court forced them to visit or live with an abusive parents.
One father took her mother to court more than 200 times
Youtube videos produced by Campaign convenor Barbara Biggs
Children’s Drawings – Children communicate differently from adults. This video shows how children express their distress and trauma. Family Courts should tailor themselves to allow for the ways children communication their trauma rather than not giving children a voice or expecting the to tailor the way they communicate to fit with adult expectations
Youtube videos produced by Campaign convenor Barbara Biggs
If a child lives with criticism
It learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
It learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
It learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame
It learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance
It learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
It learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise
It learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness
It learns justice.
If a child lives with security
It learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval
It learns to like itself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
It learns to find love in the world.
– Dorothy Low Nolte –