I stumbled across this the other day, and would like to share it with you. It is a wonderful guideline that parents would do well to follow, both during their custody dispute, and after the custody agreement has been decided. It was not attributed, so if anyone knows its source, please let me know and I will get official permission to reprint it.
The Parent’s Promise
For the greatest good of my child(ren), I hereby agree that:
- I will not speak negatively about my child’s other parent to my child or in his or her presence.
- I will not tell my child(ren), “that (negative behavior or characteristic) is just like your father/mother.”
- I will not put my child(ren) in the middle of issues with their other parent.
- I will not use my child(ren) as a means to get revenge on their other parent.
- If my child(ren)’s parent has a new relationship, I will not speak negatively of this other person to my child(ren).
- I will not expect my child(ren) to support my emotional health.
- On a regular basis, I will ask my child(ren) how they are doing.
- I will do my best to fully support my child(ren) during this process.
- I will allow my child(ren) to be (a) child(ren) during this time.
- I will seek professional counseling if I need to speak with somone about my situation or if I am having difficulty living up to these promises.
- If I do not uphold the above promises, I admit that I personally am not acting in the best interests of my child(ren)’s physical and emotional health.
- I will speak with my child(ren)’s counselor at least once each month in order to gain insight into their well-being.
By agreeing to this Parent’s Promise, I am accepting responsibility to provide the best environment possible for my child(ren) during this transition. In upholding these promises, I am also acknowledging to my child(ren) that they have no fault in this decision that was made by their parents. I am fully committed to the best interest of my child(ren)’s emotional and physical health during this time and to their future growth and development.
Honestly and with much love, I commit to this for my child.
Signed, (Your Mom and/or Dad)
