Family Law
Children's Bill of Rights
All children shall enjoy the following inalienable rights:
- The right to be treated as important human beings, with unique feelings, ideas and desires and not as a source of argument between parents.
- The right to a sense of security and belonging derived from a loving and nurturing environment which shelters them from harm.
- The right to a continuing relationship with both parents and the freedom to receive love from and express love for both.
- The right to "listening" parents.
- 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.
- The right to grow and flourish in an atmosphere free of exploitation, abuse and neglect.
- The right to know that their parents' decision to divorce is not their responsibility and that they will still be able to live with each parent.
- The right to continuing care and guidance from both parents where they can be educated in mind, nourished in spirit, and developed in body, in an environment of unconditional love.
- The right to honest answers to questions about changing family relationships.
- The right to have a relaxed, secure relationship with both parents without being placed in a position to manipulate one parent against the other.
- The right to have one parent not undermine time with the other parent by suggesting tempting alternatives or by threatening to withhold activities with the other parent as a punishment for the children's wrongdoing.
- The right to be able to experience regular and consistent parental contact and the right to know the reason for not having regular contact.
- The right to be a kid and to be insulated from the conflict and problems of parents.
- The right to know and appreciate what is good in each parent without one parent degrading the other.
- The right to be taught, according to their developmental levels, to understand values, to assume responsibility for their actions, and to cope with the just consequences of their choices.
- The right to be able to participate in their own destiny.
From Putting Kids First: Walking Away From a Marriage Without Walking Over the Kids By Michael Oddenino, attorney for the Children's Rights Council