by TRL

Created on: October 23, 2008

What is in the best interest of the child? Well, for starters it should not have to be a question raised only in divorce and custody battles; however, this is where language of this kind is most commonly heard. I find it difficult to understand any parent that chooses to use his or her child as leverage in order to access some kind of personal gain when working with lawyers to establish an appropriate custody and visitation court order.

One couple that I know have been separated for nearly one year and still continue battling divorce proceedings regarding the custody of their son. During the time that this couple was married, their parenting skills proved exemplary. This couple exhibited some true partnership skills when making choices and decisions regarding their son. It was the most amazing parenting partnership that I have ever witness between a couple, but, personality conflicts in the marriage as it related to their partnership outside of parenting was suffering and all efforts had been exhausted by both parties.

Because of the competitiveness between the two, as individuals, the divorce has turned into a horrific child custody battle. Each parent has decided that they are more fit to raise the child as the sole custodian. A temporary visitation order has been set that allows their son the opportunity to visit each parent for one week at a time. His schedule, with each parent, begins on Friday evening and runs until the following Friday evening. This boy is the happiest young man and what a lucky child he is to have this kind of schedule that provides him equal time with each parent. It certainly was not his fault for the separation; he was happy, content and even where arguments or concerns were present in the home; it wasn't enough for him to want to give up either parent. The competition between the parents has developed into an oversight of what really is most important and delicate in this case; their son. The push and pull, the demand for psychological evaluations, the denial of certain persons (including immediate family) involvement in this boy's life as well as the negative comments and pressure placed not only against each other but the pressure it is placing on their son is ongoing and becomes more and more frustrating each day this case is not resolved. If this couple does not come to a resolution regarding the custody and visitation schedule, prior to the next scheduled court hearing, the judge will make this decision. In my opinion, at this

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