I went to a required course last night called What about the Kids.<P>It is put on by the concilation court and they talk alot about how they are for both parents (joke). Laws in this state are all against fathers, but none the less it was an interesting experience.<P>Talk about feeling like you don't belong!! I felt like an outcast, like I had a big D on my head. I didn't even feel like this when I first started going to AA in 1979.<P>There was some good info. presented yet it was all focused on divorce rather than trying to work things out! The other concern I have is that after two years the non-custodial parent drops out of the kids lives 70% of the time!<P>I can't imagine yet I do understand especially with the financial obligations fathers are given in this state. Take half our salary and then expect us to setup a home like the kids were used to! Yeah right!<P>Oh will, I will do the best I can for my kids!!!!!!!!!!!

It's extremely sad and you know what? I would guess the statistics are right. My ex has became almost non-existant in his kids lives and he only lives 2 miles away. It took him about 1 1/2 yrs. to 2 yrs. to get to that point. But, it also depends greatly on the chacter of the father. My husband, for instance, has never ever missed a visitation with his children and he also pays way above the guide lines for support. So there are some good dad's out there.

I have a bad feeling that my kids won't see their dad much longer as well and he refuses to let me give them a life they were used to before the divorce.<P>Omaha, keep up being a good dad no matter what it costs , its for the children.<P>Bonnie, are u remarried? I didn't realize this???<P>Dana<BR>

Hurting in Omaha,<P>Unfortunately in my state, the non-custodial parent is not generally required to pay more than at most 40% of his income, even if there are 20 kids, and he's splitting expenses with an OW. He basically only has to support the first 3. And if the kids are young, or the wife is working, it is much less. And forget alimony if there are 3 or more children. After all, he has to have enough money to live on - and it does not matter if his kids do.

Yes Dana, been remarried for almost 3 yrs.