I Was Just Given Full Custody of My Children, What Can I Tell Them

[td76]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: CA

I am a father of 3 (ages 2-9), I have had joint custody for the last year and was just given temporary full custody of my children.
Their mother has been charged with domestic battery against me and is being investigated by CPS. What should I tell my children, legally, when they aren't going to see their mother?

[Dogmatique]

You tell them Mommy can't see them right now.

That's really it.

They don't need to know anything else.

[FF9ZidaneGal]

I agree with Dogmatique. You just tell the children that they can't see Mommy right now. Kids always ask why but if you elaborate too much you can confuse them or they could try to blame themselves. So keep it simple and just tell them Mommy isn't here right now.

[LawResearcherMissy]

Concur. The way you handle this is to simply tell them that Mommy can't see them right now. You can say she's very busy, or that she has to work.

The nine year-old may have some inkling of what's going on - they're pretty perceptive at that age - so if s/he asks specifically if it's because Mommy hit you (or whatever it was she did), be truthful, but still keep it simple. You can say yes, and that the judge wants the kids to stay with you until he sorts everything out.