Forcing a Child to Speak to His Father on the Phone

[simplyme123]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: washington. Can a 4 year old be forced to talk on the phone to his father when he (the child) absolutely refuses to do so? The father was granted permission to call his son once a week, but everytime that he calls, the mother tells the 4 year old that his father is on the phone and she asks him if he wants to talk to him. The 4 year old cries and screams "NO! I don't want to talk to him." He throws an absolute fit and will NOT come to the phone. Can the court require the mother to force the child to take the phone?

[cbg]

Based solely on what you have posted here, Yes, the mother can be required to put the child on the phone.

[Dogmatique]

I'm curious as to why Mom is ASKING this child if he wants to talk to Dad.


Very curious as to why Mom is giving a 4 year old that kind of power.

Never mind, no longer curious.

Mom doesn't have much interest in co-parenting with Dad, it seems. Mom should be careful. Because if Mom isn't careful, she'll be the NCP. And I'm sure she would have a FIT if Dad was allowing kiddo to say "no" to this court-ordered visitation.

[cbg]

Yeah, posting history is interesting, huh?

[Dogmatique]

Oh yeah. Mom actually needs to get herself here. Because I can actually see Dad going to court and getting a "no 3rd party interference" clause added to the current orders.

And in this state? Oh yes, they'll put one in there. Yes indeedy.

[drivingmecrazy]

Ok so similar question what about if the child is 3 years old and mother hands phone to the chile and they start to speak. The bio dad identifies himself and child says to mom I don't want to talk to him and tries to hand the phone back to the mother. Mother will not take the phone, so the child throws phone on the ground and breakes it. What happens now?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You need to start your own thread.

[asulover]

Ok so similar question what about if the child is 3 years old and mother hands phone to the chile and they start to speak. The bio dad identifies himself and child says to mom I don't want to talk to him and tries to hand the phone back to the mother. Mother will not take the phone, so the child throws phone on the ground and breakes it. What happens now?

You explain to the 3 year old that you are the parent and behaviour like that is not appropriate. Everytime the child reacts like that she will get a timeout/ grounded. People you are the PARENT they are CHILDREN. You are suppose to have respect and basic manners from your children.

[simplyme123]

Intersting responses. So, from what has been said, the mother must physically force her child to take the phone? And when the child will not, then what? Is the mother expected to punish the child for his not wanting to talk to his father? The mother tries to get him to take the call, but draws the line a physically forcing him to do so.

[Dogmatique]

Yes, the mother is expected to be a parent and explain to the child that this is not the child's decision.

If the child refused to brush his teeth in the morning, would she let him do that? How about if the child later on decides he's not going to school?

There should be no need to physically force the child. It should be an understanding - yes, even at 3 or 4. What the parent says, goes.