Hostile Aggressive Parenting (HAP) is defined as: A general pattern of behavior, manipulation, actions or decision-making of a person (usually a parent or guardian) that either directly or indirectly; 1) creates undue difficulties or interferences in the relationship of a child with another person (usually a parent or guardian) involved with the parenting and/or rearing of the child and/or, 2) promotes or maintains an unwarranted unfairness... more

Recently an old friend of mine whom moved overseas turned me on to Google Talk. It is a messenger service, much like MSN, or Yahoo, but has another function as well. You can actually talk through your computer’s either built in microphone, or external one, and hear the person on the other end of your conversation through your computer speakers. Most new computer models have both built in microphones and speakers making Google Talk a simple few minute... more

In many domestic infant adoptions, as well as some adoptions that are done through the foster care system, an agreement is made to keep contact between the adoptive family and the surrendering family, or parent. Sometimes this contact is direct through visits and phone calls, while other times, the contact is done through a third party, such as the agency that completed the adoption.

In stepparent adoption situations where there is a bond between the non-custodial parent and the... more

There has been a lot of talk on the adoption.com forums about allowing contact after a stepparent adoption goes through, for biological parents whom have been in the child’s life, but are willingly signing over their parental rights to their children. When children have an established bond with an uninvolved parent, it can be a difficult call as to if the relinquishing parent should still be allowed contact with the child or not.

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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

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