CHILD SUPPORT: 5 KEY THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOWWritten by Detra D. Davis
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4.Child support equals survival. Break-ups are never easy for parents or children. It often means that emotional and financial standard of living for all parties will suffer. Parents must understand that child support is paid for well being of child and parent caring for that child. Money is a powerful tool in this society and can be used as a weapon when it comes to child support. The duty to pay child support and right to visit are two different issues. They are not connected in law. In eyes of court child is entitled to contact with both parents. If non-support is an issue, begin documenting visitation and during your next visit with judge or referee assigned to your case mention fact that support has stopped. If you don’t have an upcoming court visit, write judge or referee assigned to your case. You can also inform your child support worker if you have one assigned, but write judge and request a hearing to address matter immediately. 5.There is power in pen, or in keyboard, depending on how you choose to communicate with people associated with your child support case. Always, always leave a paper trail. If you send a letter, ask postal worker to give you a confirmation, it will at least let you know when letter has arrived. Calling child support workers or trying to get in touch with “Friend of Court” staff is as impossible as willing “mega millions lottery.” Parent must continue to write or, drop off letters to their workers/judges, and get name of person you leave letter with, along with a phone number, This is great advice for any situation, if you think someone is giving you a bogus phone number, use your cell phone or a pay phone and call number before you leave location. If number is not valid go back, ask to speak to a supervisor and let them know; and take information to court with you so it can become part of court record. If you truly have a problem getting child support issues addressed, write your legislators and your governor, weekly if needed. The squeaky wheel get oil, and nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Detra D. Davis is a Consultant, and technical writer with over 20 years of experience. She writes technical and operational manuals, and works as Parent Educator teaching workshops on the importance of establishing paternity and paying child support. Detra may be reached at 313-446-0896, at www.supportingourchildren.com or by mail at J. Davis & Associates Publishing, P. O. Box 44782, Detroit, MI 48244-0782, Attention: Detra D. Davis.
| | Emphasizing the Spiritual Side of Christmas with Our ChildrenWritten by Lisa M. Hendey
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•Christmas crafts and activities: For those moments when mom needs some quiet time to wrap, address cards or just unwind, hand your child a Christmas themed coloring picture (with a manger scene rather than a wrapped present) and invite her to color a picture for Grandma, your pastor, or a special teacher or friend. A large selection of spiritually related coloring pictures are available at http://www.christiancoloring.com •Go to Church: For many families, attendance at Christmas services is one of few times all year that they attend a religious service. This year, try visiting Church as frequently as possible prior to holidays to help your child truly understand meaning of Christmas as we embrace and celebrate birth of our Savior. Many churches have beautiful Nativity displays available for viewing – your child will remember his visits with Baby Jesus as a special precursor to holidays. Please join me and my family in praying for peace in our world as we near Christmas.The ideas are limitless, but intention is one we all share – to create special, meaningful memories for our children as we help them grow in mind and body. Think back to your own childhood and remember those things that stand out in your mind about Christmas. My own family traditions growing up included our family Christmas play, a simple, costumeless rendition of Nativity, which was performed for family and friends each Christmas Eve. I can’t tell you what I received as a present any of those years, but I can recite every line of that play! Treasure your child this season as you cherish true meaning of Christmas together. Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons and webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons and webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com
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