As a loving father, I pay $800 monthly to my son's mother while also splitting his care 50/50 with her. Simply put, I'm bearing extra financial responsibilities despite sharing equal custody, which feels unfair both financially and emotionally. Now, I am not alone. There are numerous parents across the nation experiencing this similar distress. It's time for change.

Data from United States Census Bureau in 2013 stated that child support payments averaged $430 per month. But for many, it's much higher. For example, I, as I stated in my personal story, pay nearly double the average. The system seems to be unjustifiably weighted against those parents who share equal custody.

Families come in all shapes and sizes, and our system needs to recognize this diversity. Policies should encourage and support shared parenting; not punish it financially. We must strive for comprehensive, fair reform that takes into account the diversity of family structures and reflects the true spirit of child support: to provide for the child, not punish the parent.

Legislative bodies must now step in and revamp child support policies. A new approach must allow for adjustments where parents split custody equally, eliminating the unfair additional financial burdens being placed on such parents.

Our children's well-being is ultimately at stake here, making it all the more important that we strive for solutions that are fair and equitable to all parents involved in the upbringing of their child.

Please support us in this fight for fairness by signing our petition. Your signature could trigger the policy change that so many parents urgently need.