Children's Bill of Rights

By Robert E. Emery, PhD

The Truth About Children and Divorce, (Viking, 2004) p. 82-83

1. The right to love and be loved by both of her parents without feeling guilt or disapproval.
2. The right to be protected from his parents' anger with each other.
3. The right to be kept out of the middle of his parents' conflict, including the right not to pick sides, carry messages, or hear complaints about the other parent.
4. The right not to have to choose one of her parents over the other.
5. The right not to have to be responsible for the burden of either of her parents' emotional problems.
6. The right to know well in advance about important changes that will affect his life; for example, when one of his parents is going to move or get married.
7. The right to reasonable financial support during her childhood and through her college years.
8. The right to have feelings, to express her feelings, and to have both parents listen to how she feels.
9. The right to have a life that is as close as possible to what it would have been if his parents had stayed together.
10. The right to be a kid.