_SUGGESTIONS FOR FATHERS DURING CUSTODY CASES:

AREAS OF PRACTICE





FATHER'S PARENTAL RIGHTS
LAW CENTER
3428 NW 178th
Edmond, OK 73012
Phone:    405.752.1300
Fax:        405.752.1705
1. Use all of your custody time. Don’t pick the child(ren) up late or return them early.

2. Read all you can on the subject of children, children’s development, parents, and how to be a good parent. If a class or study course in this general area becomes available in your area, attend it. See the suggested reading list for additional information.

3. Involve yourself in your child(ren)’s activities. Work with youth groups (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Big Brother, Little League, sports, and other children’s groups). Make your contribution to these or any other worthwhile organizations and groups.

4. You should consider joining one or more organizations that has as its purpose helping individuals who are parents but not living with the other parent. Find friends or a group of people with whom you can talk and discuss your feelings, frustrations, and problems without embarrassment. 

5. Work up a plan as to how you will provide care, love, and guidance to and meet the needs of your child (children). Examples: Where the child would live; his/her daily routine; who would care for the child when not in school and when you were not physically present, educational and religious training plans, plans for custodial or visitation periods with the other spouse.  Develop a workable, reasonable, logical daily routine for the care of your child and, if possible, point out how your plan, your care, your attention to the needs of the child is better than that now in existence and how it will be BETTER—MORE BENEFICIAL—in the future for the child. Research and evalu­ate the schools your child would attend if living with you. Know and familiarize yourself with transportation, etc., and have a general knowledge of this impor­tant area of your child’s development. 

6. Make sure the physical facilities of your home are child-oriented—adequate room, privacy and safety. 

7. Develop common interests with the children. Become a part of their world and share and enjoy their world with them. Do not forget to attend their school activ­ities. Do not overlook their birthday, holidays, and other special occasions that mean so much to a child. Show interest in their schoolwork, outside school activ­ities, their sports, their clubs, organizations, their friends, and their plans for the future.

8. Get to know your child’s medical needs and school and health records.

9. Get a copy of the child’s health record from his/her attending physician and den­tist. Have these medical experts available to testify about the child’s health and the care he/she receives.

10. Have, maintain, and show an open healthy attitude toward contact with the other parent. Every child needs the love of both parents. Your own attitude in this respect gives clear signals to the child.

11. Take care of yourself. 

12. Don’t try to outbid the other parent. Money doesn’t prove good parenting.

13. Discipline... this is important. Always saying “yes” would be just as wrong as always saying “no.” Children can manipulate parents who are not sharing infor­mation. As a parent you must make judgments and decisions daily about your children and their requests. As long as you are consistent, reasonable, and fair, discipline at the right time for the right reason is not only necessary—it is vital.

14.  The goal should always be to improve the child’s life and to provide better for the child’s needs.

15.  REMEMBER: Everything you do or don’t do as a parent may have an effect on your child and his or her future. When you have children, your relationship with your spouse does not end with the final decree. You will have continued contact with your spouse about support, vis­itation, and other parental responsibilities. For the sake of your children, keep open the lines of communication with your spouse.

 

                                  "ATTORNEYS HELPING DADS" 

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Thank you for visiting our site.  We are the original Father's Parental Rights Law Center, established by Oklahoma Attorneys Jay F. McCown and Tamra A. Spradlin with the mission to give Dads a voice in Court.  Our Attorneys have over 38 years of experience representing Fathers in Family Law litigation including: Divorce; (Contested and Uncontested), Child Custody, Child Support, Visitation, Modification, Visitation Enforcement Issues; DHS cases, Guardianship, Relocation and Paternity.  We understand the concerns of Fathers and will work to protect and preserve your rights to your child(ren). 

    If you (or someone you know) need an Oklahoma Father's Rights Attorney, fill out the form below to Contact our Attorneys about the case. We are happy to help you and will provide information about your legal rights as a Father.
Cities and Counties we serve:  Our office is conveniently located in Oklahoma City, and we provide legal representation in all 77 counties in the state of Oklahoma.   If you are unable to travel to Oklahoma City to meet with one of our attorneys, we offer a telephone appointment for your convenience. 
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The information contained within this site is for general information purposes and is not intended to create an attorney/client relationship.  Copyright 2012 All rights are reserved.
3428 NW 178th, Edmond OK 73012 
Jay F. McCown, Tamra A. Spradlin