A Child’s Bill of Rights
October 6, 2010 by Cathy Meyer
Filed under Children & Divorce, Family, markbanschick
Submitted by: Mark Banschick M.D.
Some divorced people feel so betrayed or hurt by their ex-spouse that they cannot get over their anger. They may want to retaliate and punish their ex-spouse. These attempts to punish don’t accomplish much, except perhaps making the angry spouse feel good for a brief moment. Kids deserve a “Bill of Rights” because of what they are forced to witness.
A Child’s Bill of Rights
1. Please do not ask me to choose sides between you.
2. Spare me the details of any bitter or nasty legal proceedings.
3. Stop “bad mouthing” each other in front of me.
4. Give me my privacy when talking to my other parent on the phone.
5. Do not cross-examine me after I’ve been with my other parent.
6. I am not your messenger so don’t ask me to play that role.
7. Don’t ever ask me to lie to either one of you.
8. Listen to me when I have something to say.
9. Leave me out of your fighting.
10. Please don’t lay any guilt trips on me, no matter what.
© mark banschick
Mark R. Banschick, M.D. is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with over 20 years of experience in child and adolescent psychiatry. The Intelligent Divorce course evolved from his work as an expert witness in custody disputes. Dr. Banschick has appeared on the CBS Early Show and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Huffington Post and firstwivesworld.com.
Dr. Mark Banschick’s book, The Intelligent Divorce, is a powerful and inspirational self guided resource that will change your life and the lives of your children. Order your copy today!
Wow, it would be so nice if one divorced mom followed this! There is never a phone call in almost 5 years where she is not practically breathing into the phone while her son is trying to converse with his dad. She treats her son like a roommate and has not taken him with her and her boyfriend on vacation ever just ships him off to family or the cheapest summer camp she can find.wish parents were required to be accountable….its sad.