Suddenly *Not So* Single Journey

Kids Need 2 Parents…

Author: thenicknick

While my marriage was no picnic and the divorce was…similar, I still find myself in a better position than many.  There were arguments about who would remain in the house.  Ultimately, we both lost on that one.  There were arguments about who would get some of the various possessions.  Only on one point did we truly agree: no matter what, we wanted the kids to have plenty of time with both of us.  How to handle visitation and custody, for the most part, has not been much of an issue between us.

I know that I’m lucky.  I know this because I talk to parents who are fighting for custody and up to their eyeballs in debt because of exorbitant court costs.  I know because I have spoken to single moms who have exes that simply disappeared after the divorce, exes who rarely keep their scheduled visitation.  My big challenge…child support.  We even managed to work out the entire divorce without lawyers.  The entire process, start to finish, cost me about $15.  In the scheme of things…I’m doing just fine.

My kids spend three weekends a month with their father.  They live with me during the week all school year.  And we tend to be pretty flexible during the summer.  I am…ridiculously fair, overly considerate, a mediator and peacemaker from birth.  I suppose that’s why we stayed married for so long.  And I know that’s why the kids are as well-adjusted as they are.  Yes, I’m lucky.

For those who aren’t so lucky, there are organizations that work to change the laws, work to make sure that parents have the resources to co-parent.  One such organization is Kids Need 2 Parents.  They have a lovely logo designed by one of their members.  And I think their slogan is nothing short of perfect: Because the BEST parent is BOTH parents.

For those of you located in the Carolinas and Charlotte , specifically, there is a rally being held today in center city.  It will be from 3-5pm in Marshall Park.  (More information is available on the website.)  There will be several speakers, some famous even, like Tim McKyer.  Check them out.  Hear them out.  And do what you can to ensure that others who might benefit know about this.

Kids should never suffer because their parents can’t make it work.  And it’s our job as parents to do our best to put our differences aside for the sake of the kids.  (That’s what I have to keep reminding myself.  I don’t pretend it’s always easy.)

So, if your checking out the Taste Of Charlotte, one of my favorite food festivals, swing by and show your support.  And tell Sheila Peltzer, the president of Kids Need 2 Parents, that Nicki sent you.

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at 12:34 am and is filed under Big News!!!!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.