childrights

A Child’s Fundamental Rights

A Document for Parents Living Apart

I HAVE THE RIGHT TO . . .

to love both my parents with joy, and be proud that both love me.

to joyfully love all the people who are important to me.

to never face rejection by a parent.

to be safe, to be respected, to be cared for in every way.

to always have my developmental needs and challenges taken into account.

to be protected from hearing unnecessary and hurtful details about an adult conflict.

to have parents who are flexible about different rules, and respect all safe parenting styles.

to have parents who check in with each other on these rules when consistency is crucial.

to have my needs and interests come first when decisions about my schedule are made.

to be disciplined wisely, calmly and compassionately.

to be free from any blame for the break-up.

to never be asked to take a side in an adult argument.

to have parents who do what they can to stay emotionally healthy, and who will see to my emotional health.

to talk about things openly without fear of punishment or guilt; to keep my feelings private if I choose to.

to see my parents as good role models for how to be respectful of others, even when there’s a disagreement.

to just be a child without being responsible for the well-being of an adult.

to speak to adults privately, and not be required to discuss what is happening in one parent’s life with the other parent.

to be held accountable by both parents when I am intentionally encouraging conflict between them.

to have parents who talk to one another without asking me to act as messenger.

to have parents who will work at making the best of a very difficult situation.