Kansas Family and Divorce

How to Notice the Signs of Child Abuse

The US government claims that there were 872,000 reported cases of child abuse or neglect in 2004.' Of course, there are countless other cases which were not reported.' No child deserves to be mistreated, and it is of the utmost importance that everyone act within their abilities to protect them.

A New York foster care and adoption agency put together a list of warning signs to aid in the detection and reporting of child abuse, which include the following indicators:

• a child who fails to thrive
• a child who is improperly dressed for the weather
• a child who wears ill-fitting clothing or clothing in poor condition
• a child left without adequate supervision who has been injured by another child in the home
• a child who has indicated that a parenting adult is withholding food
• a parenting adult failing to provide adequate hygiene or seek medical attention for a child
• a child suddenly exhibiting signs of depression
• a child who is always tired
• a child who is always late to school
• a child who rapidly gains a tremendous amount of weight
• a child who exhibits an unhealthy preoccupation with sex
• a child whose behavior changes noticeably in any way

Source:' 'How To Recognize The Warning Signs Of Child Abuse' by April Jiminez, published at the Long Island Press.' Thanks to Janet Langjahr of the Florida Divorce Law Blog for her post on this subject.

Source for Post: South Carolina Family Law Blog.

Family Safety Resources Available Online

During the holidays, children are the central focus for many of us, so now is a good time to think about Internet safety. To educate yourself on both the dangers that exist online and safety precautions to take, visit:

• SafeKids.com
• FBI's A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

For in-depth guidance on ensuring the safety of your child’s online experience, visit the following sites:

• i-SAFE
• StaySafe.org
• Easy Ways to Keep the Internet Safe for All Ages by Scott Spanbauer
  

Source:' 'Family Safety Online' published in the South Carolina Bar's E-Blast, volume 409

Source for Post: South Carolina Family Law Blog.

Kansas bill requiring car booster seats advances

A bill requiring car booster seats for children ages 4 to 7 now travels to a joint House-Senate committee for final tinkering before heading to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Parents found in violation would be fined $60. Children who are larger than 80 pounds or 4 feet 9 inches tall would be exempt from the rule.

Both chambers approved similar booster seat bills, with one minor difference.

The Senate version would fine out-of-state drivers who violate the law; the House version would not.

My question is this. It now looks like we will have a new law in Kansas that requires boosters for children 79 pounds and below. This can include children in middle school. What will be the fine for our school districts if they don't provide boosters on school buses? Think about it, why should parents be fined for this if our school buses and school districts will not. Or are we going to require our schools to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars bringing school buses up to this standard? That should make school finance even easier.

First, breast feeding, now booster seats for our under 80 pound children. What's next?

Source for post: Kansas City Star

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Booster Seats

Kansas avoids debate on morning-after pill

Battles over access to the “morning-after pill” are raging in state legislatures nationwide, but Kansas — usually an eager participant in culture wars — is sitting this one out.

For now.

Those representing Kansas pharmacists, reproductive-rights groups and anti-abortion activists on Monday said while the issue was on their radar screens, other matters were higher on the agenda.

“To be honest, I’m pretty surprised,” said Judy Smith, state director for Concerned Women of America, a conservative Christian organization. “I fully expect it to hit Kansas. Kansas never seems to be exempt from these things.”

Source: LJWorld

Divorce and a "Problem solving Court"

Johnson County, Kansas now has what is called a problem-solving court, sometimes referred to as "therapeutic jurisprudence." The idea behind the courts is to hook up people with classes, counseling or treatment so they can solve their own problems. In other words, help them resolve their conflicts.

"Johnson County District Judge Allen Slater said research shows that children can do very well when their divorcing parents cooperate in raising them. But children stuck in high-conflict divorces are suffering, Slater said."

The program was started because the judges saw what conflicting parents were doing to their children. If a parent balks about participating in a particular service, a judge can limit his or her visitation rights or delay granting the divorce.

Johnson County judges hope the “problem-solving court” they implemented Jan. 1 will teach parents how to put their animosity aside for the good of their children.

Gary Kretchmer, director of domestic relations division, Johnson County Court Services provided the following Advice for Parents:

Worst things a divorcing parent can do to a child:

■ Criticize the other parent.

■ Make the child feel guilty for loving the other parent.

■ Use the child to spy on the other parent.

■ Ask the child to serve as a messenger to the other parent.

Best things a divorcing parent can do for a child:

■ Respect the other parent.

■ Use a cooperative rather than competitive spirit with the other parent.

■ Try to rebuild at least a level of trust.

■ Work on communicating well.

Source for Post: Kansas City Star

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Divorce, Child Support, Child Custody, Mediation, Divorce Mediation, Collaborative Law, Divorce in Kansas, Parenting Time, Problem Solving Court

Breast-feeding measure advances in Senate

Boy do I feel better now. Kansas state senators advanced a bill concerning breast feeding to a final vote that should take place today. I mean good god. Once again our government is stepping into an area they should not have too and for that matter should not. Why is it that our government seems to believe it needs to tread in areas of our lives that are so personal as breast feeding. First we have the marriage amendment and now the breast law. What is next?

“We believe it is healthy for the state to encourage mothers to breast-feed,” Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, said. OMG, doctors encourage mothers to breast-feed. Any father in his right mind would encourage his wife to breast feed.

"The bill before the Legislature would allow a woman to breast-feed in any place she has a right to be. It also would excuse women who are breast-feeding from jury duty." Are there any laws that do not allow a mother to breast-feed in any place she has a right to be? Humm, let me ponder that one for a while.

"Experts have testified that breast-feeding is healthier for infants, creates a bond between child and mother, and is less expensive than formula." Wow, how much did we pay for that government study. This has always been the belief.

But in Kansas, many women have said they have been insulted, harassed and even threatened while breast-feeding in public.

My wife breast fed all four of our children. When she did in a "public" place, she would cover herself with the baby's blanket. While I certainly believe in the value of breast feeding, I hope we don't see the law abused. Please cover yourself if at all possible. And I might add, this is really not a problem. As to the complaint that many women have been insulted, harassed and even threatened, I have never seen that. A head or two may have turned. But I have not seen the behavior described. If I do, or if you do, say something to the offender. The offender being the big mouth that says something to the mother. Come on people, lets get our heads out of our butts and take care of our own business. Stop waiting on and letting the government control our lives to the point they pass laws saying it is OK to breast-feed in public. I would think our state government would have better things to do. Like the school finance mess they got us into. Oh wait, this is an easy, feel good bill. Well fine, get back to work.

Source of Post: LJWorld.com

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Breast Feeding

Fighting in Front of the Kids Causes Them distress about marriage and family life.

From News-Medical.Net:

"Researchers in the U.S. say that couples who fight in front of their children or even those who ignore each other, encourage negative thoughts and distress about marriage and family life which is sometimes evident up to a year later.

Marital conflict was examined as an indicator of the quality and quantity of sleep and was found to be a factor in otherwise healthy 8- to 9-year-olds, while emotional security became more of an issue in adolescents."

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Family, Divorce, Marriage, Marriage Counseling

Love Secret of Happily Married Couples

Focus more on your partner than yourself study shows.

Want a better love life that goes beyond Valentine's Day romance? Prize your partner's happiness and well-being above your own, a new survey suggests.

Those feelings -- called altruistic love -- are at the heart of the survey, which included more than 1,300 people, 60% of whom were married.

The findings:

• Married people with lots of altruistic love for their spouse had happier marriages.

• Married or not, altruistic love for a significant other was tied to higher levels of general happiness.

The survey was part of the General Social Survey, directed by Tom W. Smith, PhD, of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.

Read more from WebMD

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Family, Marriage, WebMD

Kentucky and Ohio Legislators File Abortion Bills Intended To Challenge Roe v. Wade

Kentucky and Ohio Legislators File Abortion Bills Intended To Challenge Roe v. Wade: "Legislators in Ohio and Kentucky have filed bills that are apparently intended to provoke court challenges that the proponents hope will lead to the Supreme Court reversing itself on Roe v. Wade. Both proposals would make it a felony to..."

(Via Family Law Prof Blog.)

Technorati Tags: Family, Abortion, Roe v. Wade

Benefits of a healthy marriage

For Children and Youth:

1. More likely to attend college

2. More likely to succeed academically

3. Physically healthier

4. Emotionally healthier

5. Less likely to attempt or commit suicide

6. Demonstrate less behavioral problems in school

7. Less likely to be a victim of physical or sexual abuse

8. Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol

9. Less likely to commit delinquent behaviors

10. Have a better relationship with their mothers and fathers

11. Decreases their chances of divorcing when they get married

12. Less likely to become pregnant as a teenager, or impregnate someone.

13. Less likely to be sexually active as teenagers

14. Less likely to contract STD’s

15. Less likely to be raised in poverty

Source of Post: Counseling Notes

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Children's Behavior, Family, Divorce, Marriage