Stepfamily Zone » Stepfamily Forums

Parents’ Rights Vs Children’s Needs

John Faulkner — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:21:22 +0000

Lawyers back this up: Around 62 percent of them believe the laws favour parents’ rights over children’s needs.
Do you think that parents’ rights should outweigh children’s needs (unless in cases of proven abuse/violence)? I feel that parent’s should have rights to their children unless we are somehow not living in a free society.

I can see that children’s needs are important but I believe that parent’s rights to a child they brought into the world should be also. As long as their child’s basic needs are being met and they are not coming to any harm I believe that parent’s rights should be paramount to the decisions of custody.

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Step family pamhplets

John Faulkner — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:29:21 +0000

I have been reading a few pamphlets recently about tips for sm and bm’s .

Now one thing i have noticed is the sm tips relate mainly to “dealing with” and relating to the children and being sympathetic to the bm situation . I have also noticed that bm’s pamphlets refer mainly to support the new partner ( sf) and understanding her own emotions .

Stepfamilies ARE different, but…….

John Faulkner — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:45 +0000

I’m wondering what people’s opinions are on a statement I read the other day?

The paragraph was basically telling people that it is hard to be in a stepfamily, there are past relationships and baggage to consider and stepfamilies are far more complex than biological ones. Which is all true and realistic and the sort of thing people definately need to realise and bear in mind.

But, the first sentence of the paragraph went like this:

“Don’t expect your stepfamily to work like a biological family for the reason that the stepfamily is a family built on loss.”

So what are people’s thoughts/reactions/opinions on that statement?

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Stepfamily adoptions Western Australia – Stepfamily Zone Forums

John Faulkner — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:56:59 +0000

Does anyone have information Stepfamily Adoptions in WA?

Stepfamily adoptions Western Australia – Stepfamily Zone Forums

Child care rebate

John Faulkner — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:42:04 +0000

I have received my tax return quite a while ago. But what is happening with the child care rebate/ payment.. I think it was 30% of out of pocket expenses??

I am not quite sure. I use After school care, once a week. Should I have received a payment by now? Do I need to apply for it?

Child care rebate

Do you personally have any contact with their ex?

John Faulkner — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:27:58 +0000

As a step parent do you have any contact with your partners ex wife/husband?Do you do change overs alone, discuss issues on the phone, emails, get involved in issues? Anything of that nature? If you dont do you find things easier or harder?I dont at all. I used to but i put a no contact rule in place.

No phone calls, no emails, no hand overs, no chatting, no arguing, no nothing! I love it, i havent seen her in about two years and its bliss. Some times she try’s to drag me into the games again and some times i bite but its all through DH now no way am i breaking the no contact rule i have put in place.

This works really really well for me. It used to be really volatile but now there is an invisible wall i have put up. When issues arise i handle it better now i am out of the line of fire. I also dont resent the situation as much and have a better relationship with the kids. How much contact do you have with the ex? Do you think its working for you?

Do you personally have any contact with their ex?

Steam mop

John Faulkner — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:54:13 +0000

I have more tiles than carpet in my house and am so over the mop and bucket routine (although it is a lot easier than keeping carpets clean) and have been thinking about a steam mop, I know they vary according to brand and price etc and was wondering if anybody had any stories good or bad about it.

steam mop

Taxable income and Centrelink

John Faulkner — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:46:14 +0000

Hi all, DP and I are excited to find out that Centrelink payments DO have weight in CSA income findings, this information may already be known to you all, but on the incase that it isn’t here goes….. After many, many deals with CSA …

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Statutory declaration to accompany Will

John Faulkner — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:36:39 +0000

Hi, I recently asked a lawyer a question about Wills – specifically, if Dh dies, 75% of the assets go to me (and BK’s) and 25% to SS. Apparently, it is possible for BM to argue that SS is entitled to more than 25%. …

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Need some advice….not sure how to deal

John Faulkner — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:29:36 +0000

Hello everyone..I’m new to this site and think it’s just great to know there are others out there that have similiar experiences. If anyone has ideas or advice… thanks! So my dilemma is with my SS6. He is a great kid but from time to …

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