I am in the process of working through visitation issues with my lawyer, so that stbxH can spend some time with the boys (he hasn't seen them since November 2002).

His bail conditions were altered so that he can have supervised visitation. However, the "supervisors" are to be either or both my FIL and MIL. They live 2 hours away, and can only commit to one visit per month (my personal opinion on that, is that they won't even live up to that promise, b/c in the 6 1/2 years that they have been grandparents, they have yet to visit every month on a regular basis).

Anyways... these visitation times fall far short of the suggested every other weekend and once per week, and I have concerns about the emotional well being of my boys.

Now, my question to you, is if any of you know of any articles, or web site links, that could give me statistics, information, etc on the effects of such minimal visitation between the boys and their dad? Or information on why it is important for the kids to have the "standard" visitations? The boys are: OS, 4 yrs old next month, and the twins, just turned 2 yrs old.

Thanks for your help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Karen

Here are a few ideas for you:

Statistics from a "pro-father" web site:
http://www.childrensjustice.org/stats.htm
http://www.childrensjustice.org/fatherlessness1.htm
http://www.childrensjustice.org/fatherlessness2.htm

The Divorce Statistics Collection (lots of links):
http://www.divorcereform.org/stats.html

An article about supervised visitation with statistics:
http://www.womensafe.net/Advocate/advocate%20_7_3.html#supervised

This is a recent report "Children of Incarcerated Parents" (March 2000)
It’s good, but FYI: it’s .pdf format so you’ll need Adobe Reader.
http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/00/notes/v7n2.pdf

The letter by Michelle Etlin is good, but skip the response—it’s ridiculous:
http://www.fathermag.com/news/1798-supervised-contact.shtml

Hope that helps!!

CJ

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I"ll start reading through the links right away FaithfulWife. I appreciate your help with this... I was having a heck of a time finding things through regular search engines.

Karen

Hi Topie!

Any place that allows supervised visitation by a separate agency? Many areas in the states have that.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by nursebetty:
<strong>Hi Topie!

Any place that allows supervised visitation by a separate agency? Many areas in the states have that.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Hi NB! How are you doing?

Yes, there are agencies in town that do supervised visitations ("merrymount", the Children's Aid Society, and a few private people)... however, H's bail conditions weren't altered to allow for that, unless his parents (one or both) are present. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> The lawyers are hashing it out more today... hopefully they'll come up with some answers.

Karen