My son is 11 and I have decided to move from NC where we have lived for 6 yrs back home to a small town in VA. My ex husband lives in another part of NC and my son has told me that he wants to live with his dad because he thinks that he would like it better there than in VA. My ex husband has never paid child support because I have never really pushed the issue.My son sees his dad as often as possible, although my divorce papers say that I have primary physical custody. I understand that my son is confused right now and I am trying to explain to him that I think he needs to go with me for his best interest(his father hasn't had a steady job in years, lives with his girlfriend, and recently received a DUI). I try not to put his dad down but how do I make him understand that what he wants isn't always what is best?

Tell him daddy loves him but that daddy is going through a time right now that he can not have him stay there. Just make sure you do not use words like inconvenience even if you are not referring it directly to your son.

And see if dad will help explain it, and in the end it is not what he wants, it is what the court order says, and dead beat dad who is not paying support will have to file for custody if this was to happen.