Chapter 14 - CO-PARENTING WITHOUT RECRUITMENT
The hardest negotiation was Lucas.
Both parents wanted substantial time.
Neither was declared unfit.
Rachel Moore recommended:
shared parenting structure,
parent communication rules,
no financial discussions around Lucas,
no using child as messenger,
no disparaging the other parent.
Ethan resisted one line.
“No disparagement is impossible. What if she actually does something wrong?”
The mediator answered:
“Then discuss it with adults.”
Claire nearly smiled.
The birthday incident became the reason the rule was taken seriously.
Ethan later apologized to Lucas.
Not:
Mom made me angry.
He said:
“I talked about adult money in a way that made you think you had to protect me from Mom. That was wrong.”
Lucas asked:
“Was Mom freeloading?”
Ethan looked at Claire.
Then answered:
“No.”
Claire had not expected that.
Ethan continued:
“She worked differently than I did. I was angry and said things I should not have said.”
Lucas cried.
“I called her useless.”
“I know.”
“That was because of you.”
Ethan swallowed.
“Partly.”
May you like
Not perfect.
Honest enough.
