Bill Of Rights For Children Of Divorce

1. The right to be treated as important human beings, with unique feelings, ideas, and desires and not as a source of argument between parents.

2. The right to a continuing relationship with both parents and the freedom to receive love from and express love for both.

3. The right to express love and affection for each parent without having to stifle that love because of fear of disapproval by the other parent.
 
4. The right to know that their parents decision to divorce is not their responsibility and that they will live with one parent and will visit the other parent.

5. The right to continuing care and guidance from both parents.

6. The right to honest answers to questions about the changing family relationships.
 
7. The right to know and appreciate what is good in each parent without one parent degrading the other.
 
8. The right to have a relaxed, secure relationship with both parents without being placed in a position to manipulate one parent against the other.

9. The right to have the residential parent not undermine the non-residential parent’s time with the children by suggesting tempting alternatives or by threatening to withhold the non-residential parent’s time as a punishment for the children’s wrongdoing.

10. The right to be able to experience regular and consistent time with each parent, and the right to know the reason for canceled time.

Developed by the staff of Family Court Counseling Service, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1974.