1. Get to know your child’s teacher or daycare supervisor as soon as possible.
2. Don’t wait for parent/teacher conferences to come around.  Take the initiative to set up your own appointment or visit, even if it is only to introduce yourself.
3. Don’t be afraid to explain to teachers that you are going through a separation or divorce.  Just make sure to emphasize you still want to participate in school activities with your child.
4. Focus on your child when communicating with teachers.  They do not want to be choosing sides in arguments between you and the mother, but will be willing to offer advice on what is best for your child at school.
5. Ask for a separate parent/teacher conference if you are unable to attend the same one as the mother.  This shows that you are trying to be actively involved in your child’s schooling even if you can’t coordinate with the mother.
6. Be respectful of the mother when around school professionals.  This way, complaints the mother makes in your absence will not be viewed as an accurate representation of your character.
7. Offer to chaperone a school function or field trip to support your child’s teacher.
8. Come to open house and father-son/father-daughter events to show interest in activities your child cares about.
9. Follow up with teachers if you have any questions about your child’s assignments, projects, or other school activities.  This will show teachers you regularly monitor your child’s progress and involvement at school.
10. Remember, if teachers are called to the courtroom, they will be able to testify that you are heavily involved in the child’s life and are supportive if you stay active at school.

 www.MensDivorceLaw.com

With articles such as “Paying More Attention to Fathers,” “Fathers Gain Respect from Experts (and Mothers),” “The Basics of Fatherhood,” and “More Dads Influence Daughters’ Career Paths,” the nation is beginning to understand that BOTH parents are key factors in the wellbeing of a child’s upbringing. Managing Attorney Jeffrey Feulner of the Men’s Divorce Law Firm commends the New York Times for continuing the nationwide effort to raise awareness of the importance of fathers in the lives of their children.

As quoted in on of the articles, ‘“The walls in family resource centers are pink, there are women’s magazines in the waiting room, the mother’s name is on the files, and the home visitor asks for the mother if the father answers the door,” said Philip A. Cowan, an emeritus professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, who along with his wife, Carolyn Pape Cowan, has conducted decades of research on families. “It’s like fathers are not there.”’

The times are now changing, and it is important that every parent becomes educated about the effects of a fatherless environment.

The full articles from the New York Times:

Paying More Attention to Fathers

Fathers Gain Respect From Experts (and Mothers)

The Basics of Fatherhood

More Dads Influence Daughters’ Career Paths

Susie Sprague filed for divorce on Oct. 22 after seven years of marriage and is seeking sole custody of their son, Zen, 5, with visitation rights for Feldman. She’s also seeking spousal support. Feldman is “hopeful that he and Susie can work to resolve this quickly and amicably, and he is fully committed to doing what is best for the welfare of their son,” the statement adds.

Feldman, 38, and Sprague were married in October 2002, nine months after meeting in a nightclub, on the set of VH1′s The Surreal Life in a ceremony officiated by MC Hammer and a rabbi.

Article by Ken Lee | www.people.com

From a book made mostly of pictures to an hour and a half movie, a lot more story had to be added in order for the film to fill in the extra time. The movie is about a boy, Max, who is dealing with his parents’ divorce by rebelling and acting out. Although the detail and animation is superb, the storyline seems to send the wrong message in that it suggests the children are the ones responsible for moving past their parents’ divorce.

Children going through a divorce can be on a steep emotional edge. It is important for both parents to stay involved to reassure the kids that they are still loved equally and that the divorce is not their fault.

For more information on “Where the Wild Things Are,” click here.

Mark Heller, an attorney for Jon, said his client had repaid the money the octodad had removed from a joint bank account he shared with his soon-to-be ex but Kate had yet to return the $33,000 she had taken from the bank.

“Jon Gosselin has met all of the obligations he was required to make,” Heller said outside a Pennsylvania courthouse today. “The obligations that Kate Gosselin has were not fulfilled. Maybe that explains why she didn’t appear in court today.”

To read the full article click here.

Article by | www.nbcchicago.com

Florida custody laws took a positive change for Fathers this past October when a new statute was enacted that removed the words custody, visitation, and primary and secondary parent from Florida law. The new designation for both the Mother and Father is “parent,” a change that our firm views as a long overdue attempt at equalizing the parents in a divorce. Additionally, the new law requires that divorced, separated, or never-married parents develop a detailed parenting plan for raising and sharing time with their children. The plan is to specify when each parent will spend time with the children as well as outline how decisions that affect the children’s lives are to be made. The parenting plan requirement eliminates interpretation and should minimize disputes among parents allowing both a more meaningful role in their children’s lives.

At the Men’s Divorce Law Firm, we view this change as a gateway in the Courtroom to give father’s equal rights to their children. Because there is no longer a legal requirement to name one parent primary, the logical starting point is equal time and rights for both parents – a dramatic step in the right direction for fathers who have historically been awarded “standard visitation.” To our firm, this change is an opportunity to deviate from the norm of the “every other weekend” father and afford children sufficient and meaningful time with both parents. Obviously, if a specific case is not suited for shared and equal parental responsibility, the law still affords the option for sole parental responsibility or less than equal timesharing and authority for one parent.

These changes in the law began over a decade ago when the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar began considering new vernacular that would recognize that a child’s relationship with both parents must be protected. The new parenting plan requirement allows decisions to be made collaboratively as it eliminates the notion that one parent is inherently better suited to do so. This move towards equal footing is long over due. However, as with any change in the law, it will be years before the judicial system fully adjusts to this revision. For the next several years, the judiciary will contemplate the application of this rewrite to their cases while attorneys will argue on what the correct interpretation will be.

[ Article By | Men's Divorce Law Firm ]

With the below tips, you can ensure that you are effectively helping your child and complimenting what he is learning in school.

The Right Place:
Be sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework away from the distractions of television or other noisy activities.

The Right Tools:
Be sure your child has paper, pencils, and any other materials needed to complete the homework assignments.

The Right Attitude:
Be positive and encouraging about homework, and be positive about the value of hard work and doing well in school – it will help shape your child’s future!

The Right Plan:
Help your child be proactive in planning to do homework. This includes the child having a role in setting aside a specific time each day for homework–ideally as soon as is reasonably possible after coming home from school.

The Right Approach:
Cooperate with our child’s teacher. When the teacher gives directions for homework, follow those directions.

- When your child asks for help, provide guidance regarding how to achieve the required result–don’t give away the actual answers or complete the task for yourself.

- Homework can be a great way for children to learn to develop independence and lifelong learning skills. If the homework assignment is meant to be done by your child alone, respect the teacher’s instruction and “stay away.”

- Be proactive in communicating with your child’s teacher about how your child is handling homework assignments.

The right rewards: Recognize your child’s homework-related progress and encourage your child in specific ways (e.g., small gifts, treats, stickers, “stars” on a chart, a favorite activity) to reward and reinforce the positive effort.

With just a little time and effort, you can make sure your children conquer their homework!

[ Atricle By | Fatherhood.org ]

The following are tips to help your child handle school bullying.

• Do not instruct your child to fight back. Contact your child’s school and learn about the school policy and how to access available resources.

• Talk with your child about meeting new friends that are supportive and who have common interests. Teaching your child appropriate social skills that build self-esteem will make them less likely targets.

• Encourage your child to speak with an adult at the school. Teachers, principles, or guidance counselors are available to help them stop the bullying.

• Ask your child if he or she has ideas about how they will address the bullying. Dads, you can role play with your children in order to help them feel comfortable and confident in their approach.

• Finally, it is important for you to explain to your child that sometimes all that is necessary is avoidance. Bullies may give up if they don’t get attention.

Dads, it is important to consider that all instances of bullying are meaningful to your child. Remember that the goal is to support your child’s overall well-being. Want more advice? Check out NFI President Roland Warren’s thoughts on how to deal with a bully.

Best wishes for a bully-free school year!

[ Article by | Fatherhood.org ]

Learn a new sport. Choose a new sport for your and your children to tackle together – golf, tennis, football – whatever sparks your interest. If your child is already on a sports team or is about to join, work on his/her sklls: teach your child how to pass a soccer ball, dribble a basketball, or catch a baseball and have fun running the drills outside.

Take a hike! Find a local trail and take the whole family out. Or, turn it into a family camping trip. Hikes and camp outs are great opportunities to teach your kids fun skills – how to use a compass, how to identify animal tracks, or how to start a campfire. Can’t go far from home? Camp out in your backyard!

Visit a local monument or national park. You’d be surprised at what’s in your backyard. A local national park is perfect for a picnic or a hike, and many of them hold special festivals, tours, and events – for free or low cost.

Get wet. Visit your local community pool with your kids, but don’t just sit on the sidelines as they have fun. Race your kids from one side of the pool to another, or initiate a game of tag or Marco Polo. Gather a group and have a cannonball contest.

If you want something more outdoorsy, try kayaking or canoeing at the nearest lake. This is perfect for older kids, and shows them the value of teamwork and cooperation.

Be the student. Have your child teach you their favorite activity – skateboarding, jump roping, kickball – the possibilities are endless. Swallow your pride and laugh along with your kids as you fumble at double dutch jumprope.

Now that the weather is warm and summer is approaching, don’t just sit around watching movies! Get active and get outside with your family! Don’t forget the sunscreen!

[ Article by | Fatherhood.org ]

The ultimate purpose of alimony is to level the playing field post divorce in long term marriages. In determining whether alimony should be awarded, the Court will first determine whether your marriage was a short term marriage or long term marriage, or a grey area marriage. While there is no bright line rule, marriages of fifteen years or more are considered long term and there is a presumption of alimony.

It should also be noted that there are multiple types of alimony including rehabilitative alimony, permanent periodic alimony, and temporary alimony. The ultimate purpose of alimony is to ensure that both parties are able to provide for themselves post-separation.