Your child is watching....

Children are very much in tune with the moods of their parents. They frequently follow by example and this is particularly true in cases of separation, when a child is stressed and unsure how to feel.

The point is that your child is watching you and is likely to mimic your behaviour and your attitude towards the other parent. If you are hostile, the child, especially when very young, is likely to perceive that as the expected reaction. If you are cooperative with your spouse, the child is likely to "buy into" a schedule, for example, or a plan proposed by both parents. Access is a classic example. If you are opposed to access and speak negatively about your spouse, the child is likely to pick up those signals and act accordingly: ie: refuse access. If you are encouraging of your child's contact with the other parent, your child is likely to follow by example.

Remember, you child is watching!

The Office of the Children's Lawyer (Ontario)

What is it?  - The Office of the Children's Lawyer (OCL) is an Ontario government-funded law office (part of the Ministry of the Attorney General) which provides legal services targeted at protecting children's personal and property rights (for children under 18).

What role might the OCL play in my family law case? - The OCL conducts clinical assessments of families (in the context of custody and access disputes, for example) but also provides legal representation (their own lawyer) to children under 18. There may be good reasons why you may want to have the OCL involved in your case and, therefore, they may become involved on consent of both parties.  The OCL may also be involved in your case as a result of non-consent court order.

Who pays for the OCL's services?  - The services of the OCL are free to parties in a family law proceeding provided the OCL agrees to accept the case. The OCL (and not the court) ultimately decides whether the office will become involved in a particular case or not.  This discretion is directly related to the fact that thousands of litigants want to use the free services of the OCL and apply for the OCL's assistance each day.  Based on a review of Intake Forms submitted by the parties, the OCL decides which cases qualify.