Parenting Tips: Children's Bill of Rights

Sometimes couple counseling doesn't work...for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is because one partner doesn't want it to work, sometimes it is because one partner refuses to stop abusive behavior. The reasons for divorce or separation are unique to each couple. Usually one partner wants the divorce and one doesn't. When there are children involved it can get really ugly. Every parent wants what is best for their children, but when they get angry they sometimes forget that their anger can be devastating to their kids. Check out this bill of rights that every parent who is divorcing should agree to:

Children's Bill of Rights

Divorce Headquarters

We the children of the divorcing parents, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish these Bill Of Rights for all children.

• The right not to be asked to "choose sides" or be put in a situation where I would have to take sides between my parents.
• The right to be treated as a person and not as a pawn, possession or a negotiating chip.
• The right to freely and privately communicate with both parents.
• The right not to be asked questions by one parent about the other.
• The right not to be a messenger.
• The right to express my feelings.
• The right to adequate visitation with the non-custodial parent which will best serve my needs and wishes.
• The right to love and have a relationship with both parents without being made to feel guilty.
• The right not to hear either parent say anything bad about the other.
• The right to the same educational opportunities and economic support that I would have had if my parents did not divorce.
• The right to have what is in my best interest protected at all times.
• The right to maintain my status as a child and not to take on adult responsibilities for the sake of the parent's well being.
• The right to request my parents seek appropriate emotional and social support when needed.
• The right to expect consistent parenting at a time when little in my life seems constant or secure.
• The right to expect healthy relationship modeling, despite the recent events.
• The right to expect the utmost support when taking the time and steps needed to secure a healthy adjustment to the current situation.

Check out Divorce HQ for more information.