Children of Divorced Parents Month
Mayor Paul Finley City of Madison, Alabama, will present the following Proclamation during the Madison City Counsel meeting 6:00 pm. October 12, 2009, at Madison City Hall, 100 Hughes Rd. Madison, AL 35758.
A Proclamation
WHEREAS, there are more than 2.4 million divorced North Americans including the parents of more than one million children under the age of eighteen, with nearly as many unmarried couples with children separating; and
WHEREAS, children of divorced parents and children of separated unmarried couples face unique and daunting challenges during their formidable years; and
WHEREAS, alienating behaviors and hostile parenting tactics are often found in high conflict divorce and custody situations; and
WHEREAS, children of divorced parents can find themselves caught in the crossfire of people they love, and that even caring parents can resort to using their children as emotional weapons to hurt an ex-spouse; and
WHEREAS, behaviors, such as speaking negatively about a parent to or in front of a child, interfering with communication and visitation, and discussing inappropriate information with a child can destroy the relationships of that child; and
WHEREAS, Parental Alienation and Hostile-Aggressive Parenting are considered forms of psychological child abuse as the alienating tactics used on children are confusing, frightening, and rob children of their sense of security; and
WHEREAS, children of divorced parents are particularly susceptible to emotional and psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and stress; and
WHEREAS, children deserve to know that the conflict between their parents is not their fault, and that thousands of other children every year experience similar situations; and
WHEREAS, parents should be encouraged to work together cooperatively in raising their children, most especially during divorce, separation, or marital turmoil; and
WHEREAS, children deserve the right to have personal relationships with both loving parents, even if they should decide not to stay married, and they deserve the right to unfettered and private communication with both parents at any time; and
WHEREAS, schools should be encouraged to appreciate the circumstances of children that split time between households, through no fault of their own; and
WHEREAS, children of divorced parents need the support of teachers, counselors, and other adults who are willing to take the steps necessary to understand the emotional impact that divorce and post-divorce conflict can have on children; and
WHEREAS, children are the most important investments in the future of our society:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, xxx, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2009
Children of Divorced Parents Month in xxx.
Dated this xxxxx day of October, 2009