Children and their parents are being failed by our justice system in Canada and some states.

Freedomlaw.ca

 

Men and women are incredibly different beings. Society is trying to make us seen as the same, but I don’t think that’s wise.

An exmaple:

Yesterday I asked 7 men, & 7 women, where their happy place is.

0 out of 7 men asked me mine as well, but talked about theirs.

7 out of 7 women asked me mine as well, they cared to know. They thought to ask.

This is just a small example, but think about it.

Mothers and fathers are not the same. They are both important, but definitely not the same. This should be recognized in family court for babies. I firmly believe that babies under age of 2 should not be taken away from their mothers for more than a few hours, a day at most. Especially breastfeeding babies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding until age 2. No, pumping is not the same. If a mother wants to breastfeed her baby, that should not be stripped from her, and her baby.

I am an advocate for small children who cannot speak. If they could speak to a judge, I think they would say “please do not take me from my mommy”

Being born is scary enough. Then taken away from the heartbeat they developed hearing. That is traumatic, and unnecessary, and happening daily in Nova Scotia Family Court.

Please stop this suffering.

Justin
Iona Stoddard - Councillor for District 12
Iain Rankin
Ns Bar Council Legal Aid Centre
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service

Judges seem pressured to provide each parent with half of their child’s time. This plan is often not safe for the child(ren). This is forcing millions of children into an unstable and traumatic childhood. Therefore, producing children, teenagers, and eventually adults with a multitude of mental health issues.

50-50 custody is forcing innocent children to live a life of being juggled around as if they are not a human with thoughts, feelings, desires for stability.  

It’s simple really. For a commonly seen example: If a parent has a history of anger issues, child abuse, domestic violence, they should receive mental health support in order to be granted time with their child. Not handed over 50% custody of an innocent child by default. This is sickening. Please Judges, stop doing this! Please don’t force us to suffer. Let us be safe.

This is just one example with millions of singleparents and children who can relate to it. 

Children need consistency, and nurturing to develop properly; children need their primary care taker to continue to be their primary caretaker, even after separation or divorce. 

Unless a parent is deemed unfit, please let him or her remain the primary care taker of their child.  Please Judges, stop just resorting to 50-50 parental rights and custody. It is NOT always in the child’s best interest. 

Children will still grow up with relationships with their other parent, if that parent is willing to put forth an effort. Allow children, especially babies, to stay with their primary care giver for most of the time. The other parent can have time arranged to foster a relationship. It does not need to be 50-50. 

Look at all of the mentally distraught children forced to live in 50-50 split parenting schedules. It’s sickening. It’s unnecessary. It is often because the Judge is afraid of appearing sexist by recognizing the mother as a primary caregiver. What would the child want? 
Please start providing home stability for children.

The point has been made that most non-primary parents did not care about 50-50 custody until it affected child support. I appreciate this valid point. Can we at least allow child support to be a bargaining tool? The primary caregiver will choose the well-being of their child over money 9 times out of 10! Stop letting that 1 rotten person rule the laws.

Thank you,

Canadian Mothers who have escaped domestic violence,

and those who see the need for this change.

This petition is in memory of Jacqueline Brewer and John Turner.