| 12 Commandments for Divorced Parents (Both of You) |
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| Meiselman & Helfant, LLC 29 Wood Lane Rockville, Maryland 20850 301-279-8840 Fax 301-279-9630 E-mail: info@mdfamlaw.com |
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1. Never make visitation arrangements directly with children
under 12.
2. Never suggest visitation arrangements you have not
previously discussed with the other parent. Always confirm
with the other parent any visitation arrangements made with
children 12 and over.
3. Send and return children who are clean, well-rested and
fed. Do not send or return a sack or suitcase full of soiled
clothes.
4. Do not use a telephone answering device to screen calls
from the other parent or limit telephone access between your
children and the other parent - except after your children's
actual bedtime, not the bedtime you would like them to have.
5. Do not discuss divorce disputes with your children or allow
them to hear you discussing your differences regarding them.
6. Do not send messages or money with your children.
7. Do not speak ill of the other parent - or of his or her
relatives, friends or loved ones.
8. Do not ask your children for information about the other
parent's household, friends, income or activities.
9. Do not believe everything you hear from your children.
10. Do not second-guess the other parent regarding
discipline, rewards or anything else.
11. Give a sympathetic ear to your children, but affirm and
reaffirm as often as necessary that you are not a referee or a
mediator between your children and the other parent.
12. Be courteous. Do not honk your horn for your child to
come out. Walk to the other parent's door, but don't go
inside unless invited. Have the children ready to go. Always
be on time. Smile.
under 12.
2. Never suggest visitation arrangements you have not
previously discussed with the other parent. Always confirm
with the other parent any visitation arrangements made with
children 12 and over.
3. Send and return children who are clean, well-rested and
fed. Do not send or return a sack or suitcase full of soiled
clothes.
4. Do not use a telephone answering device to screen calls
from the other parent or limit telephone access between your
children and the other parent - except after your children's
actual bedtime, not the bedtime you would like them to have.
5. Do not discuss divorce disputes with your children or allow
them to hear you discussing your differences regarding them.
6. Do not send messages or money with your children.
7. Do not speak ill of the other parent - or of his or her
relatives, friends or loved ones.
8. Do not ask your children for information about the other
parent's household, friends, income or activities.
9. Do not believe everything you hear from your children.
10. Do not second-guess the other parent regarding
discipline, rewards or anything else.
11. Give a sympathetic ear to your children, but affirm and
reaffirm as often as necessary that you are not a referee or a
mediator between your children and the other parent.
12. Be courteous. Do not honk your horn for your child to
come out. Walk to the other parent's door, but don't go
inside unless invited. Have the children ready to go. Always
be on time. Smile.
This list, which was authored by Mr. Meiselman, was first published
by Ann Landers in her nationally syndicated column on January 23,
1994. © 1993, 1994 Neal J. Meiselman
by Ann Landers in her nationally syndicated column on January 23,
1994. © 1993, 1994 Neal J. Meiselman
| Contact Meiselman & Helfant, LLC Today Call 301-279-8840 |
| Meiselman & Helfant, LLC |
29 Wood Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| Call 301-279-8840 |
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