Hey! I have a less legal and perhaps more ethical/practical question.
We have a family law trial due in July and are facing a very hostile & aggressive parent. I have 3 kids - aged 4, 6 and 8. All boys.
The other evening on a contact call, my 8 year old was chatting away and he tried to asked the father about his recent relocation. 8 year old is very worried about this move as it takes them 85 kms away from an area they know and have some connections. They do not live in the old area, just every second weekend visiting. But regardless they are familiar with the old area and like it.
My 8 year old asked - why cant we go to 'old area'?. His father got instantly upset and made comments around that was not a child matter, asked where I was, asked where my partner was, basically shut down the conversation.
When off the phone, my 8 year old said to me - he is worried about moving, he does not want to move, he just waned to raise it with his father. 8 year old was crying and visibly upset. He said - I was just trying to ask why.
My question: how do I raise this without seeming like a hostile parent myself? In the context of a trial, I know that everything will be taken out of context/exaggerated etc.
Just adding to do not coach them when they are talking. And yes we comfort them and help them to understand etc. In case this was a passing thought!
Any advise or thoughts are welcome. Not just legal ones. I would really like to support my kids, but not denigrate or be seen to be aggressive to their father.
We have a family law trial due in July and are facing a very hostile & aggressive parent. I have 3 kids - aged 4, 6 and 8. All boys.
The other evening on a contact call, my 8 year old was chatting away and he tried to asked the father about his recent relocation. 8 year old is very worried about this move as it takes them 85 kms away from an area they know and have some connections. They do not live in the old area, just every second weekend visiting. But regardless they are familiar with the old area and like it.
My 8 year old asked - why cant we go to 'old area'?. His father got instantly upset and made comments around that was not a child matter, asked where I was, asked where my partner was, basically shut down the conversation.
When off the phone, my 8 year old said to me - he is worried about moving, he does not want to move, he just waned to raise it with his father. 8 year old was crying and visibly upset. He said - I was just trying to ask why.
My question: how do I raise this without seeming like a hostile parent myself? In the context of a trial, I know that everything will be taken out of context/exaggerated etc.
Just adding to do not coach them when they are talking. And yes we comfort them and help them to understand etc. In case this was a passing thought!
Any advise or thoughts are welcome. Not just legal ones. I would really like to support my kids, but not denigrate or be seen to be aggressive to their father.