2006-07-17 13:18:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
This is a really interesting question. When my mother was growing up her parents were very poor and they had 7 kids to take care of. One of my aunts was 6 or 7 at the time and since she had become close to a neighbor family.........she decided she wanted to stay with them. This family had more advantages and my grandparents decided to let her go. Over the years as my aunt grew up she began to distance herself from all of her family and eventually stopped talking to them all together. My mother and her family was so hurt and eventually it came out why she felt this way. My aunt assumed because she was allowed to go with the other family, she wasn't wanted by her mother and father.....which really wasn't true. All the time she was gone my mom and siblings actually envied her for being able to have a better life than them. My aunt passed away a few years ago and things never fully got resolved which just broke so many hearts. I think it's nice to allow kids to make choices, but we have to realize also that kids make choices with the concepts of a child's mind. we as adults have to intercede with adult experience and understand that what a child wants isn't always what's best. Maybe my family scenario is different from what you are experiencing, but i hope it has helped. good luck and God bless.
2006-07-17 13:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by softlyinspired 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is different in many states.i know for a fact it is 12 in louisiana.my mum has always been the domicillary parent.when i was 12, i hurt my mum deeply when i wanted to live with my dad.i see now that it was a mistake(although i didn't ''live'' with him at all,she made me go over there for two months during the summer.)on about the 3rd day i was crying to come back home.the whole reason for it though,was that i started a new school...(middle school!) all by myself with no friends.my dad lived in the school district where my previous school was.if the age in your state is as young as 12 or even a little older...make sure the reason is not silly like mine.also make sure the child will not be abused or bothered by the other parent.after i changed my mind again..my dad put my mum down and blamed her for pursuing me to come back to her.just make sure tou are carefull with this!! think it through very well. i learned the hard way.
2006-07-17 13:53:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it varies from state to state. Also, even though there might be an "age" where the child can decide where to live, it is almost always up to a jusge to determine whether or not the child is ready to make that decision on his/her own....regardless of age....
2006-07-17 14:54:56 · answer #3 · answered by disney_mommy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In most states the child needs to be 16.
2006-07-17 13:20:46 · answer #4 · answered by Kristonia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is 12 or 13 when they can decide who they want live with.Unless there is some reason that the other parent is unfit to care for the child
2006-07-18 11:18:09 · answer #5 · answered by wcoit1977 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my parents divorced I could choose at age 14 if I wanted to stay with mom or go live with dad.
I think the age varies from state to state.
2006-07-17 13:28:16 · answer #6 · answered by couriousk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
37
2006-07-17 13:24:16 · answer #7 · answered by Tranquillado 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whom as in parents? Or whom as in friends, it all varys from state to state. Check with DHS
2006-07-17 13:20:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Indiana is 14 but they have to go through counseling to make sure it's an appropriate environment.
2006-07-17 13:22:25 · answer #9 · answered by Loo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why should the child have to make such a decision?
2006-07-17 13:22:05 · answer #10 · answered by strangeduck82 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋