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Ok guys....we know the facts. Women have a major advantage going for custody of the children. My attorney called it " the breast syndrome". If you decided to walk out on your kids for the blonde next door or the babysitter, then you've lost the right to be the custodial parent. If, on the other hand, you have devoted your life to their needs then you will need to be able to prove this in court. Divorce and family proceedings are incredibly stressful on everyone who is involved. The important thing is to try and remain focused on your children and put their needs first. If you suspect that the mother of your children is planning on ending your relationship, the last thing you should do is leave the house. This is the first and most fatal mistake many men make. Unfortunately as the saying goes "possession is nine-tenths of the law". The father that chooses to leave the children behind is at a major disadvantage, regardless of what the mother is doing or who she is doing it with. As a father you can ill-afford to have any more of the odds stacked against you. No where is it written that the man has to be the parent that leaves the household. If you feel pressured by the children's mother, you need to seek legal advice right away. Be aware of the fact that in an emotionally charged situation almost anything can and will happen. It is not unusual for a woman to file a restaining order early on in a custodial proceeding. Keep in mind that even though the mother of your children is someone you once trusted, she now has her own adgenda. Don't make any rash decisions or sign anything without the advice of an attorney. Remember stay focused on those children, they need you to be strong right now. One final thought, early on in a divorce/custody proceeding dating is absoutely forbidden. Right now if you are at the beginning of a custodial dispute, you are very vunerable. I'll say it again...stay focused on the kids for now, your time will come later when the smoke has cleared. Let's face it....nobody "wins" in a custody dispute. If you truly are the parent who has devoted his life to his children, then there is no reason you should become a "weekend dad" who shells out the child support and doesn't get the chance to be an integral part of your children's lives. Your children deserve to be with the parent who can best meet their needs in this difficult time.

Learn more about this author, Thom Jennings.
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