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ariel1168 · Jul 21, 2007, 04:19 PM

Hello I live in Florida and would like to know if my 14 year old daughter can make a decision as to when she spends time with me. She says she wants to be with her friends and that she doesn't want to come to my house so much. My wife and I moved to Naples 3years ago and they still live in Miami. Needless to say all her friends live in Miami too. There is a court order stating that I get her and my son every other weekend. Her mother has always tried to put me down and make me look like the bad guy... so now she is allowing her to do what she wants as long as she doesn't spend time with me. She (my daughter) recently said that she cannot be forced to be at my house. My wife and I have been very good to my kids and have always been honest with them unlike their mother. I feel betrayed by my own kid. I have even thought about relinquishing my parental rights. Please help. :(

Thank you!

Fr_Chuck · Jul 21, 2007, 04:38 PM

Let me see you love her so much you are going to give up rights to her.
Makes sense to me??

She can testify in court and ask the judge to change court orders. If you are not getting your visitation, you can take your ex back to court for being in contempt of the court order you have in force.

** also giving up rights, just means you can't see the child, you can't have any say in the child's life, but you still pay your child support

ScottGem · Jul 21, 2007, 07:31 PM

You have a very sticky situation here. If you force your daughter to visit (and you might be able to do so), you risk alienating her and making matters worse.

I would try to negotiate a compromise here. Maybe she can bring a friend with her on a weekend visit. Maybe you can work out a different schedule, like one week a month. But relinquishing your rights is cutting off your nose to spite your face. And I agree with Chuck, that it seems a strange thoguht if you really love your daughter. And If you don't care that much about her, maybe that is coming through and partially behind why she doesn't want to come.