Do children have to go to their father?

[amandaly007]

Do children have to go to their father?

[Ethel]

If you mean does the natural father have rights of parental access after splitting from the mother, this is complex and there is not a straightforward yes/no answer.

What are the circumstances? How old are the children?
Is the man violent, a registered sex offender or have any other serious problems?

[scruffscat]

when i left my kids dad in 1994, because we were never married,he didnt have any automatic rights to see the children.now i think ithas all changed and i dont think it matters if you re married or not i believe the father has automatic paternal responsibility.But is there a reason why your asking this?if youre worried in any way i would seek leagal advise

[amandaly007]

I feel I should clarify the situation. In 2003, it was agreed through the county court that my ex husband would have our children, then 6 & 13, every other weekend.

Now 3 years later & 10 & 16 respectively, they are receiving invitations which very very occasionally fall on his weekends.

What is the legal position, do they have to go? I personally feel that there needs to be flexibility on both sides to ensure the children don't miss out of events which are important to them.

[madham]

I think it depends if the court stated the visitation arrangements and if they are listed on the court papers or if it was a mutual agreement, anyhow the children are both old enough to make up their mind if they would prefer to go to the invitation and could always telephone and ask their Dad if he minded seeing them on a different day.

I should imagine if he enjoys seeing his children that would be fine. I am just going on personal experiences so please don't take my advice as gospel.

[Pippa68]

I think as long ad the children get to see their father & alternative arrangements can be made then flexibility is good.

I have two children from my previous marriage and due to distance & his working hours they only see their father once a month. If there are things happening that the children have been invited to etc they turn it down as because of his work commitments & the distance (250 miles) they don't know when they would see him again. On the other hand, my stepdaughter lives just 4 miles away & constantly changes weekends due to parties etc. She usually comes every other weekend because her mother won't change the contact order...(arranged when SD was 2) if we want to change weekends it is usually met with a big fat 'NO'.

If you are both reasonable it can be worked out :o)