Lafferty says her worries were "about the baby's safety and my own." Women who are concerned about their own safety need to obtain legal assistance or go to a domestic violence shelter. If you feel your child is in danger or has been harmed, contact your state child abuse hotline and hire an attorney immediately (or pursue help from a legal aid agency).
Hartnell got past her worries about visitation "...by telling myself that it was important for him to have a relationship with his father and the benefits of that outweighed the possible problems."
She points out that to get through the difficult periods when her son would cry or be upset she and her ex "had to work together...Be prepared compromise on the things that don't really matter."
When your child is new to the world it is hard to think about giving up time with him or her. Visitation is about giving your child the benefits of having two parents. Working together to do this will offer your child incredible benefits.
Resources for Single Mothers
Brette McWhorter Sember is a retired family attorney and mediator and nationally known expert about divorce and parenting after divorce. She is the author of:
Learn more about Brette on her web site.
Copyright © Brette McWhorter Sember. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.
