The National Children’s Rights Council (CRC), which was founded in 1985, is a non-profit organization that was put in place to work with families, and assure that children maintain meaningful relationships with both biological parents, as well as extended family, regardless of what the parent’s martial status may be.

The organization works hard to provide support to families, favoring joint custody, mediation, and making sure that both parents maintain access rights to their child, or children. As well as working with the adults, the CRC also has... more

While the legal process of a stepparent adoption severs the ties between the child, and his or her non-custodial biological parent, it does not mean, in all cases, that it must cut that biological parent out of the child’s life completely.

Not all stepparent adoptions must be, or are performed, in order to cut a non-custodial parent out of a child’s life altogether. In some cases it is simply in the best interest of the child, for him or her to live in a home with two legal parents. If the non-custodial parent lives across the country, or even out... more

Many times, once a divorce has become final, many miles grow between a child and his or her non-custodial parent. When the custodial parent moves away, keeping in regular contact with the child can prove to be extremely difficult for the non-custodial parent. Feeling helpless as to what to do, and how to stay in touch, the non-custodial parent watches his or her very own child, move away, and seemingly slip out of the non-custodial parent’s life. With the expense of long distance phone calls, coupled along with the rising cost of gas prices, the ability for the non-custodial... more

When a non-custodial parent lives far away from his or her child, it can be hard to stay connected to that child, and be a real part of his or her life. Phone calls can be cut short by custodial parents, or may not even be answered at all.

One of the many ways to stay connected to your child, even when a custodial parent is trying to push the non-custodial parent out of the child’s life, is to send a tape of your voice to the child. All children love to receive mail, and having that package be a tape of the non-custodial parent’s voice is an even bigger treat.

Making... more

It is tough to really get to know your child as a non-custodial parent. Especially when you are dealing with a custodial parent whom is trying to the non-custodial parent out of the child’s life. Without the day-to-day interactions with the child, it is hard for the non-custodial parent to really know what the child is into, and what he or she enjoys.

When the non-custodial parent does have contact with the child, it is important to remember to ask questions such as “what cartoons do you like to watch” or “what is your favorite TV show?” “Is red still your favorite... more

You know, I realized that I wrote an article for the new section in my blog yesterday, without really explaining what that new section is really for! So I figured before I go ahead and write any more articles for the new “The Flip Side” category, that I would take a moment to sit down and explain just what it is that I intend to use this category for.

The Flip Side category will be used to look at stepparent adoption from the non-custodial parents, or the relinquishing parent’s side. Sometimes they are willing to sign over their rights to a child, and sometimes they are systematically pushed out of their own child’s life by the custodial parent. Some custodial parents go to great... more

If you are a non-custodial parent whom is unfairly being pushed out of your child’s life, you are more than likely frustrated with the lack of help from local police and court systems. Many local police departments do not want to get involved in custody disputes, often leaving a non-custodial parent with no power to enforce his or her visitation rights.

While it can be hard to maintain contact with your child, if the custodial parent is trying to alienate the non-custodial parent from the child, there are things that can be done, to help maintain the relationship between... more

When you are dealing with an older stepchild, and you wish to adopt him or her, it is important that both the remaining biological parent and the stepparent sit down with the child, and speak with him or her about the prospect of a stepparent adoption. If the child is old enough to grasp the concept of adoption, and all that it entails, than he or she should most definitely have a say as to weather or not a stepparent adoption should occur.

Some children will be very happy and excited to be adopted by their stepparent. The adoption for the child, will symbolize being... more

Sadly, not all stepparent adoptions are pursued in the sake of the child’s best interest. In some stepparent adoption cases, a stepparent adoption is sought (and done) to purposely push a biological parent out of the picture. It can be because either the stepparent or the custodial biological parent doesn't get along with the non-custodial parent, or the stepparent is using the child as a tool to punish the non-custodial parent, due to ill feelings and resentment.

Many times, once a divorce is final, both biologcial parents of the child/ren have large amounts of anger... more