W.L. said: April 28, 2008 7:32 am PST
I think we all (judges,parents,grand parents,friends and neighbors) sometimes lose focus on what is REALLY best for the child. I agree with Mr. Graham that your son does not want his name and face on your car, website or anywhere else it wouldn't normally be. Kids want to be normal, you are not providing him that chance. They also want their Mother and Father to get along (much work on both parts, been there still working!). The other "normal" thing they want is to be able to Love both Mother and Father. And do not want to hear anyone speak bad of either. So often divorce makes a child pick a side. That's wrong! They didn't ask for this! And I'll bet didn't want any part of it if asked. If you both care about that child you have a common ground to work from. It will take sacrifice on both sides. Example..... Your son does not want to meet Moms new boyfriend or Dads new girlfriend at HIS baseball game or anywhere else where HE will have to explain to his friends or their parents who this person is. Remember.....it's for him, not a display for you! It's really hard, but you must get over the hate and see things through his eyes!
I'm not really all that bright. I just have a really smart kid. I've learned from listening. Quote from my son to me at age 6, crying he said to me " how would you feel if I hated your mother". OMG, that's Granny your talking about I said! As I thought about that I relized he was right! That was my mother he was talking about and I didn't like it. That 6 year old set me on the right track! I now see through his eyes.
On to Judge Little. I don't think it's as much Judge Little as it is Alabama Law. What you describe is pretty much normal in Alabama. The Dad is never considered unless there is no Mother. That's not really Judge Little's fault. It's a mentality thing that must be changed. Some Dad's are worthy! Boys and Girls alike need their Dad's, now more than ever!
Sorry to get carried away! My buttons were pushed!