Thank you for joining me. My name is LaSheena Williams, and I am a Maryland family law attorney. My firm helps our clients take control of out-of-control domestic situations. Today we will be discussing custody battles with newborn children.
Child Custody Concerns with Younger Children
Having child custody issues, whether you’re in court or you’re trying to work out an agreement with a co-parent, it changes depending on which stage you’re currently in. When you have very small children, there are different concerns from when you may have a teenager or an older child. When it comes to newborn children there are things you need to consider, the feeding schedule, whether the child is being breastfed or not, if there are any special needs, or any special treatments your child must have. There are a lot of considerations that we’ll have to go into crafting a parenting plan a custody agreement or a custody order.
Change in Relationship Dynamics
After having children, some people’s relationships can drastically change. The relationship may change in unexpected ways. After having a child, the parent birthing the child may go through significant hormonal changes, mental changes. They may change their perspective on their current relationship. They may not feel the way they would like to feel about their child and all of that can impact their relationship with their child as well as their co-parent. To the parent that’s not necessarily birthing, the child they may have stressors that aren’t necessarily being taken care of by their support network or by their partner. Having a newborn child can put a significant strain on your relationship and because of that strain, it may be important for you and your co-parent to develop a parenting plan or at least a Parenting Agreement so that you both understand what your actions will need to be moving forward.
Attachment Concerns
It is very important to note that whether you’re the parent birthing the child or the parent supporting the parent birthing the child, you both have equal rights to the child. Your attachment to the child is both justified and you have the right to spend equal time with your child. And it may be a situation where your co-parent may not realize that you have concerns, or your co-parent may be going through something and they might not necessarily understand that you’re going through something similar or different, but also that needs to be addressed. Regardless, it’s important to note that your feelings are justified. Your relationship with your child is your personal relationship alone and if you cannot work through these issues with your co-parent, it’s important that you come up with a plan of action so that you end up with an access schedule that works for you and your family.
If you have any questions about child custody or any other issues relating to small newborn children, contact the Law Office of LaSheena M. Williams at (301) 778 – 9950 or leave an online request for a consultation.
