If You Know About Your Child, You Can Prove You Should Have Custody - By: Lucille Uttermohlen

Learn as much as you can about your kids if you want custody. The judge needs to know that you are a daily participant in their lives. You should know who cares for them, and what they need. . Here are some of the places you can get information.

1. School:

You should know all you can about your child's schooling. The teacher's name, and your child's grades should be familiar to you. Going to parent / teacher meetings is something you should always fit into your schedule. You should also know the times and dates of school programs and other activities that involve your child.

Parents who say their kids' education is important to them often go to court with no idea who is teaching them, or even what grade they are in. You should always have copies of their report cards and teacher evaluations if you want to convince the judge that you are on top of their school activities. Make a point of understanding any recommendations the teacher may have, and be able to talk about plans to get the testing or counseling your child may need.

2. Your child's health

Does your child have medical problems? If so, how is she being treated? Do you know who her doctor is? Do you know what to expect when he gets older? What medicines and therapy is she getting?

Knowing that your child has special needs, what they are and who is treating them is much more convincing then, "He gets a rash sometimes, but I don't know what they usually do about it. I think they put some stuff on it, but I don't know what it is."

3 Child care:

You should know the name and location of your child's baby-sitter. You should drop the child off, and spend enough time with the care giver to know how your child is doing in this setting. Who does he play with? What toys does she like? Are there books he especially enjoys reading, or having read to him? Does she have any behavior problems? Does he get along with the other kids at the center?

4. Likes And Dislikes

What does your child like to eat? How many meals and snacks a day do you prepare? Does she have a good appetite? What kind of foods does he hate? What is his favorite TV show? Does he like to do puzzles? What pets does she have or want? Does she have favorite clothes? Does he have heroes that he likes to immitate?

5. Friends And Family

Does your little girl bake cookies with a special aunt? Is your boy an avid fisherman? Are you going to be able to provide time for these activities to continue? Can you keep his play dates? Do you know his friends and their parents? Are you friends or at least friendly acquaintences with them?

There are many things about children that only their parents know. A stranger can't guess what makes a child feel happy and secure, or what makes him scared or sad. The judge cannot get to know your child in any meaningful way. If you can't show that you are more familiar with him than casual care takers, the court will have a harder time believing that it is in the child's best interest to be trusted to you full time.

Copyright (c) 2010 Lucille Uttermohlen

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