Father's Rights: Start The New Year Off Right
It's the beginning of a new year, which could be very good for non-custodial fathers. It's a chance to take control of your situation. Here are some tips on how to start turning your life - and your kids' lives - around.
1. Stick to the parenting schedule as much as possible. Right now, grab a calendar and your Order defining your parenting time schedule, and lay out all your weekends and holidays for 2008. This way, you know immediately if her "offer" to switch weekends or to re-arrange a holiday will work for you or for her. Also, sticking to the parenting schedule reinforces to her that she does not have control over this.
2. Plan to pay your child support. Nothing derails a father's case like getting behind in child support. So list out when you have to pay, when your paychecks come in, when your bonuses come in, etc. When you get your tax refund, set some aside to pay child support.
3. Write letters to your kids, but don't mail them. Write 5 or 10 letters to your kids right now, on anything you want. Then, at random times during the year, send them to your kids, but to locations where your kids are guaranteed to get them. maybe to a trusted relative or friend, or the daycare or school. Maybe take them to your kids' game or recital, and slip it to them.
4. Write to your lawyer. If you are in litigation, or plan to be in litigation, send a letter or email to your lawyer every 2 or 3 weeks, and ask what is going on. Are you getting every letter and pleading? Is your lawyer pushing for discovery from your ex? Are you and your lawyer on the same page regarding strategy.
5. Talk to your ex. About the kids. Let your ex know what the kids did when they were with you. Let the ex know you want to be informed of school activities, sports schedules, meetings, doctor appointments. Ask who your kids' doctors, teachers, counselors, friends, troop leaders, are. Discuss church. Discuss politics. Discuss how your kids dress. But don't be silent when it comes to your kids.
The beginning of the year is a time for resolutions and new beginnings. These are some tips of things you can do right now, and continue to do during the year, to maintain a strong relationship with your kids and to put you in a better position to win in court, if that has to happen.
Also, don't forget the following resources for fathers:
--Yahoo Group: Dads In Court
--Manual for Fathers: Aggressive Pleadings For The Non-Custodial Father
And please comments on this and all blog postings. Other fathers can learn from YOUR experiences.
1. Stick to the parenting schedule as much as possible. Right now, grab a calendar and your Order defining your parenting time schedule, and lay out all your weekends and holidays for 2008. This way, you know immediately if her "offer" to switch weekends or to re-arrange a holiday will work for you or for her. Also, sticking to the parenting schedule reinforces to her that she does not have control over this.
2. Plan to pay your child support. Nothing derails a father's case like getting behind in child support. So list out when you have to pay, when your paychecks come in, when your bonuses come in, etc. When you get your tax refund, set some aside to pay child support.
3. Write letters to your kids, but don't mail them. Write 5 or 10 letters to your kids right now, on anything you want. Then, at random times during the year, send them to your kids, but to locations where your kids are guaranteed to get them. maybe to a trusted relative or friend, or the daycare or school. Maybe take them to your kids' game or recital, and slip it to them.
4. Write to your lawyer. If you are in litigation, or plan to be in litigation, send a letter or email to your lawyer every 2 or 3 weeks, and ask what is going on. Are you getting every letter and pleading? Is your lawyer pushing for discovery from your ex? Are you and your lawyer on the same page regarding strategy.
5. Talk to your ex. About the kids. Let your ex know what the kids did when they were with you. Let the ex know you want to be informed of school activities, sports schedules, meetings, doctor appointments. Ask who your kids' doctors, teachers, counselors, friends, troop leaders, are. Discuss church. Discuss politics. Discuss how your kids dress. But don't be silent when it comes to your kids.
The beginning of the year is a time for resolutions and new beginnings. These are some tips of things you can do right now, and continue to do during the year, to maintain a strong relationship with your kids and to put you in a better position to win in court, if that has to happen.
Also, don't forget the following resources for fathers:
--Yahoo Group: Dads In Court
--Manual for Fathers: Aggressive Pleadings For The Non-Custodial Father
And please comments on this and all blog postings. Other fathers can learn from YOUR experiences.
great, great blog you've got going here,and, I mean that sincerely. I've looked at a lot of blogs on this topic, and, this one is something special.
I was actually inspired to let people know about this place, and, I added you to my blogroll in addition to writing a little review which can be seen here:
http://www.fathersrightsnow.com/2008/01/21/fathers-rights-around-the-web/
I'd also like to do a little interview by email if possible... I can be reached here:
childcustody@fathersrightsnow.com
I sincerely hope that you maintain this blog for a long time to come!
Papa
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