There were a few of my friends who were critical of my decision to take my son’s mother to court, but who never inquired as to how the proceedings fared. For me, the most important factor in my actions was my son. I had many conversations with him as to why I took action. It was in his best interest. One evening several months ago, he said, “Daddy, can you fix it to where I can talk to you on the phone?” I was moved. What was I to do? Surely I could not give him an empty response! So I went to his mother and asked her to let him talk to me on the phone. She said no. So I went to a judge and asked her to let him talk to me on the phone. She said yes. My single and overriding motivation for court action was because my son asked me to do it! Nothing more. Nothing less.

Next TVR: Can a Man Raise a Child Just as Well as a Woman? Join me Mothers Day, Sunday, May 13, 2012 as we probe this question with our special guest! Call-in number: 347.915.9517 The Village Report: Raising awareness. Inspiring change!

If a father is going to deal successfully with a hostile mother, he must put aside his ego. Most hostile mothers are hostile because they know they have the weight of the Texas child welfare establishment on their side. They also know that very few men are going to mount a legal challenge to their supremacy. They, therefore, can afford to go ‘toe to toe’ with the father of their children. What men must do is to check their ego and understand that the end-game for them is remain an active presence in the life of that child. If you are in jail or living under a restraining order, it becomes almost impossible to achieve that goal.

Selflessness

"The very act of separation and divorce, aside from any accompanying behavior or words, itself sends a myriad of terrible messages to children. It says that parents can put their own wishes above the welfare of their children. This is obviously a bad example, which the children can then carry on to their own families. But a perhaps worse effect is to destroy parental authority. No parent who has put himself or herself before their child in such a basic way has any moral authority to instruct, correct, or discipline a child. How can parents instill lessons of selflessness in children when their own actions demonstrate precisely the opposite?"

-Stephen Baskerville

Advocate!

Unmarried and divorced fathers who have contentious relationships with the mother of their child(ren) should begin to see themselves as advocates for the child. Their eyes are watching you!

visit www.tewdonline.org

Decision delayed

The Respondent was late arriving for the hearing. A continuance was granted. A motion for continuance was granted. Bummer! I was ready!

Stand up for Your Rights!

On Tuesday, April 10, 2012 I am presenting my case before a family court magistrate regarding my rights as father of my 4 year-old son. I stand for the dignity of all of God's people!