Divorce Balance

Negotiation > Recovery > Enhancement

Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Childcare after Ireland

When divorcing parents mix child custody decisions with childcare concerns, divorce lawyers are likely to think of Jennifer Ireland and the Supreme Court of Michigan, May 21, 1996.

More specifically, they're citing Ireland v Smith 451 Mich. 457, 547 N.W.2d 686 for authority here.

We "...need to confirm that actual and proposed child-care arrangements — whether in the custodial home or elsewhere — are a proper consideration in a custody case.

"Many children spend a significant amount of time in such settings, and no reasonable person would doubt the importance of child-care decisions."

But the current issue of Psychology Today argues that we have not been getting the whole picture when it comes to consequences.

"Recent evidence from the [National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Childcare] shows that the total number of hours that a child is without a parent, from birth through preschool, matters.

"The more time in child care of any kind or quality, the more aggressive the child.... Children in full-time day care were close to three times more likely to show behavior problems...."

Psychology Today is unambiguous in its assessment. "Day Care Bomb," is its introduction on the magazine cover: "What Experts Won't Admit."

The Ireland Court may be governing precedent when it comes to divorce. But as divorced parents, it's still up to each of us to reconcile disparate research with our own individual situations.

"Just focus on the best interests of the child."

Yeah — but according to whom?

—posted by Dell Deaton @12:01 PM EST 4/20/2005 [250]

Link to complete articles index