Photos of the kids, taken by the kids

Update on Fathers & Families Shared Parenting Bill

September 14th, 2009 by Ned Holstein, MD, MS, Board Chairman

Fathers & Families’ Shared Parenting Bill HB 1400 will be heard this coming Thursday (9/17). Massachusetts is one of the worst states in the country for shared parenting and for fathers, but Fathers & Families has nevertheless made considerable progress there. This includes:

Over one-quarter of the Massachusetts Legislature has expressed clear, public support for Fathers & Families’ Shared Parenting Bill, many of them signing on as co-sponsors.

Fathers & Families gathered thousands of signatures to place shared parenting on the 2004 Massachusetts ballot and led a successful campaign for its passage, winning 86% of the vote.

Fathers & Families persuaded the Boston Globe to become first major newspaper in the United States to endorse Shared Parenting in principle in an editorial (Feb 23, 2008).

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick told the Legislature that if they pass Fathers & Families’ Shared Parenting, he will sign it.

Fathers & Families recently met with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick concerning Shared Parenting and related topics.

Fathers & Families pushed “Shared Parenting ” to the number one issue on the Massachusetts Governor’s website for citizen input.

Fathers & Families ignited a debate in the Massachusetts Democratic Party over Shared Parenting , leading to a spirited, 40 minute debate on the floor of the 2009 Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention and winning 40% of the Convention’s vote.

How is it?

That we live in 2009 and before a father is able to speak in court, he is looked upon as less than the mother? Why does a judge believe that empowering a woman in court by saying "I'm not changing a thing unless the mother says so" belive anything other than how that may hurt an already troubled relationship? Maybe even show her dividends on how not to get along could lead her into sole physical custody?

How does a mother believe that "extreme limitation, or elimination of visitation" will benefit her children or even her, in the long run?

The fear of losing money in child support holds her from allowing me to see my children more than I already do. Let the record show that I already pay more than the state tells me that I need to pay, and now expects me to not see them.

Why are there no term limits on Judges in our court system? Does one person provide that sort of unbiased opinion that lasts through their lifetime? Has anyone experienced it?

Enjoying the summer in the yard!

Camping in the great outdoors!

Hope for a new season!

So it has come up again with the ex. I have asked permission to sign Nathan up for Little League for next year as I have just been asked to coach again for the kids that I had last year. I am hopeful, but my expectations are low for their mother to agree to have him play in Billerica.

More to come.

Random Tuesday Night

So I forgot that Eric Sullivan was going to be up in the area again on vacation with his girlfriend. So after a quick phone call last night, off we go. What a great night that we had with everyone catching up. More promises of moving back up to Boston, but until the bags are packed, I will not believe it.

August....

It's hard to think that it's almost the end of the summer and I don't have many photos posted. It's also hard to believe that Lily has been with us for about 6 weeks now and is pretty much doubled her size. Yikes.

Our goal

Again, I am not sure where I am going with this blog, but thought it could be a good idea to document our trials as we do our best to get additional time with our little ones.

Here is the starting point.

Ok, so this is not really the starting point, but it is the largest physical mark that I can show to be a point at which to start, so bear with me.

The actual starting point for me would be July of 2007 when I took a quick little trip to California for Marriott. Little did I know that I would meet someone who would become part of my path to getting better.

I just love this idea!

Here goes something, although I am not sure exactly what. I have always been a little wary of blogs and was pretty much believed that I would never create one of my own, but since we started our family blog www.wheelerfotos.blogspot.com and now that I see a few side blogs, I like the idea that we can now branch out to create one of our own to make it a bit more personal. Heres to new starts!