For The Sake of Our Children

Child support or the lack there of is a serious problem as well as a divisive issue between mothers and fathers. When you hear those two words, “child support” one immediately thinks about the financial support one parent provides the other. However, child support is much, much more than the financial obligation, child support is the total relationship between both parents. Think about those two words “child support” and what do they mean to you? Your answer will play an integral role in how you relate to the other parent.

Let’s turn those two words around “child support” to mean “support child.” As parents, we have allowed our emotions and the lack of parental responsibilities toward the other parent to guide us in our role as parents. We have forgotten that as parents our responsibility is to raise/support our children and make a better world for them. The price of parenthood is responsibility to our children. This sounds so farfetched to some parents because their whole existence has been to exact revenge, to hate, to keep away and to make the other parent’s life a living hell.

There are over 16 million families in the child support system. Mothers comprised the 85% that are custodial parents and fathers make up the 15% that are noncustodial parents. Since 1975, over $100 billion is owed in unpaid, uncollected child support. Why are noncustodial parents evading and resisting paying child support? The answer can be found in one easy question, how do they relate to the other parent? There are so many parenting books, articles, and materials that you can read, however, the one important aspect of parenting is the relationship we have with the other parent. Do you speak to the other parent? Do you respect the other parent? Do you talk bad about the other parent to your children? The questions are endless; however we must begin to form a lovely relationship with the other parent for the sake of our children.

During my consulting sessions with noncustodial parents and through information compiled from my workshops, I’ve found that the number one reason noncustodial parents evade or is reluctant to pay child support and their anger, animosity and frustration with their ability to be an effective parents is their relationship with the other parent. Regardless of the existing relationship with the other parent, it is time and it is important that you begin to form, to create, to make certain that at least an amicable relationship exist between you and the other parent. Our children deserve the best from both parents. When we allow our emotions to dictate our role as parents, we are failing our children, we are failing as parents. Let’s strengthen the relationship with the other parent by first letting go of the past and letting go of negative emotions.

Both parents must, for the sake of our children, begin to learn how to communicate with the other parent. First, start by answering this question, what is your relationship with the other parent? The answer plays a major role in the rest of your children lives. What you do now does affect them for the rest of their lives.

Visit www.angeleyespublishingco.com to learn more about how you can strengthen the relationship with the other parent. We owe it to our children to support them.