Getting Counseling for Children After Divorce, in California
Recently, the children that lives with mom has talked about running away and hurting themself if they do not get to be with dad. The children are ages 8 and 9 years old.
How can we get the mom to get counseling for these children? I know that if will be helpful for the children. A place to release their thoughts and tension.
Can we get the court to order this? What can we do? I really want to help these kids before it is too late. We all know that the children wants to be together, as the two older ones live with us. They all want to be with dad, but with mom's BS in court, judge dismissed everything. I'm confused, but am desparate. These children need help...and they need help NOW, but mom will not cooperate. Dad has talked to mom already about attending parenting classes, but mom refused. She said she doesn't need it. Dad is currently taking parenting class by himself and should be done in about 4 weeks. How can we go about getting mom to cooperate more when it comes to parenting? Court order does not state what time and day Dad could call to talk to the children, so mom refuses to allow dad to call. Court order does not state anything about holidays, so mom refuse dad to spend any holidays with the other two children being present. The only thing on the court order is: Rotate weekends with the children starting on Friday at 6:30pm to Sunday at 8:00pm. And it also states that both parties must inform the court of any change of address.
Anything we can do?
Re: California - Counseling for children
Quote:
Quoting
mareeh
Recently, the children that lives with mom has talked about running away and hurting themself if they do not get to be with dad. The children are ages 8 and 9 years old.
How can we get the mom to get counseling for these children? I know that if will be helpful for the children. A place to release their thoughts and tension.
Can we get the court to order this? What can we do? I really want to help these kids before it is too late. We all know that the children wants to be together, as the two older ones live with us. They all want to be with dad, but with mom's BS in court, judge dismissed everything. I'm confused, but am desparate. These children need help...and they need help NOW, but mom will not cooperate. Dad has talked to mom already about attending parenting classes, but mom refused. She said she doesn't need it. Dad is currently taking parenting class by himself and should be done in about 4 weeks. How can we go about getting mom to cooperate more when it comes to parenting? Court order does not state what time and day Dad could call to talk to the children, so mom refuses to allow dad to call. Court order does not state anything about holidays, so mom refuse dad to spend any holidays with the other two children being present. The only thing on the court order is: Rotate weekends with the children starting on Friday at 6:30pm to Sunday at 8:00pm. And it also states that both parties must inform the court of any change of address.
Anything we can do?
Dad doesn't have to convince Mom to take the kids for counseling. Dad can do it himself, he is afterall, the childrens' parent. IF the court order is that these decisons should be made with the other parent's agreement- this is one of those situations where it'd be better to just go ahead and make the decision alone. Dad can take the kids for counseling, and if Mom doesn't like it she can file in court. Then, by the time it goes to court Dad would have some real evidence to present in court, and the kids will already be getting help.
Also, if Mom is not obeying the court order for visitation, Dad can file for contempt.
Re: California - Counseling for children
the problem with this is:
The two children age 8 and 9 are with mom. We only get them every other weekend. I don't know and I know he does not mind getting them into counseling. We want to, but with the limited time we get with them, i don't know if it is possible...especially the weekends.
Re: California - Counseling for children
Quote:
Quoting
mareeh
the problem with this is:
The two children age 8 and 9 are with mom. We only get them every other weekend. I don't know and I know he does not mind getting them into counseling. We want to, but with the limited time we get with them, i don't know if it is possible...especially the weekends.
Try contacting your local mental health center to see if the possibilty exists for some type of week-end program is available. I know in my area they have a Sat counselor, but not all areas/states do that.
If there isn't anything available on a week-end, Dad might need to file to ask for a court order. the problem with that is that at ages 8 and 9, bringing the kids to court to testify isn't a good idea, so Dad will need to have some other proof of the childrens' problems.
Have the children voiced anything to their teachers or school counselors? Have either of the children actually run away where ther's a police report? Have either of them actually tried to harm themself to the point of needing medical care? These are all things that can help prove the need in court.
Re: Getting Counseling for Children After Divorce, in California
Thanks. I will look into that. The information you provided is really helpful. Thanks again.
Re: Getting Counseling for Children After Divorce, in California
The parents should, of course, communicate in relation to the children's medical and mental health needs. The father should also check the custody order to see if it has any provisions relating to the authorization of mental health services.
Re: Getting Counseling for Children After Divorce, in California
They both have Joint Legal Custody. He just got off the phone with Mental Health and Mental Health said that there is nothing they can do if she does not call them, since the child live with her. He's really upset, because the child can run away...and what if this time, it's not to our house. He is afraid of telling the mother, because the mother does not cooperate, and the mother will punish the child...I mean with a fly swatter. We've called CPS to investigate for the times she did hit the children with fly swatter, but it was too late because when they investigated, the marks were no longer there. I'm afraid...very afraid as well.
Re: Getting Counseling for Children After Divorce, in California
As was expressed in your other thread,
Quote:
Quoting
aaron
If he wishes to modify the custody order, he can go to court and petition for modification of the custody order. He would benefit from getting help from a lawyer.
Re: Getting Counseling for Children After Divorce, in California