Would you let your child decide which parent to live with in a divorce? Say they were 8 yrs old?
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ANSWERS: 12
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That is a very soul searching question! it is so hard for the little ones, they suffer the most and the action of the parents should be to make the choices that are best for the child, even if they are very hard ones, sadly!
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When I divorced my 2 oldest son's father, I took both boys. We both agreed they would be better of with me and he's never regretted that decision even once. He's complimented me several times on how well they've turned out. I would talk to the 8 year old and take his opinion into consideration BUT at the same time be the adult and make the adult decision to what is truly best for that child. An 8 year old may base his decision on who he has the most fun with etc; children can't think like adults. There are many factors to consider, though decision sometimes.
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A child this age would be deciding with his heart not his head - perhaps the other parent is better equiped to pay for the childs needs, or cope emotionally with being a single parent raising a child. An 8 year old does not see things like an adult does and doesnt see the future possibilities.
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Of course not. The whole point of being the parent is to understand the big picture and the multiple factors that go into a custody arrangement. There may be compelling reasons why the children need to live with one parent over the other that have nothing to do with what the child "wants." Ideally both parents realize the problems are between them, not the children, and that the children need to maintain parental relationships with both. But sometimes tough choices need to be made, and it's completely inappropriate to try and push those choices back on the head of a small child. That's what being the grown up is about.
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No, an 8 year old need their mother!
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No, I would consider, what would be in the best interest of the child, and therefore leaving the decision to a child is not in his/her best interest.. so no.. lol...
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Absolutely not, the judge can decide who the child is better with, if you cant agree amongst yourselves.
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NO!I went thru that.Ended up being my drunken step fathers punching bag for 8yrs.
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I think that eight is too young. At eight, you want to live with the person who gives you candy before bed, doesn't make you brush your teeth, lets you stay up until midnight, and puts gummi bears in your pancakes. A child of that age probably won't make the decision that is best for their development - they'll make the decision that offers them the most fun.
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ahh, no. moms tend to be the more nurturing parent at that age.
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I would say no. I currently am going thru a seperation/divorce and I have an 8 yr old and its already enough that the child knows that family is splitting up and its a heavy burden to put on a child to try to make a choice whom to go with. The best choice is if both parents are non-neglegent and can give the child love, nuturing, and emtional support there should be joint custody.
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No way because of all of the reasons that alot of people have already given, yet at the same time even a 14 year old shouldn't be able to decide which parent they should live with for the same reasons. A kid is going to want to be with the parent that gives them what they want, gives them their way, a parent that doesn't make them do chores, make good grades, be responsible etc... A kid, regardless if the child is 8 or 18 is going to always want to be with the cool parent and that is the one that is usually the least best for the child in most cases.
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