child's participation in sports

[franco53]

What is the name of your state?
New Jersey

My daughter shares joint custody of her child with his father. He get's him every other weekend. My grandson played TeeBall last summer and is starting to play again this year. His father says he will have a problem taking his son to the games on the Saturday that he has him. Can he keep my grandson from playing ball because he doesn't want to take him?

 

[VeronicaGia]

Each parent has the right to do what they want when they have their time with their child. Neither parent has the right to deny visitation for sporting events, and neither parent has the right to dictate what the other parent does with their parenting time.

A parent is more important than Tee Ball.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

What is the name of your state?
New Jersey

My daughter shares joint custody of her child with his father. He get's him every other weekend. My grandson played TeeBall last summer and is starting to play again this year. His father says he will have a problem taking his son to the games on the Saturday that he has him. Can he keep my grandson from playing ball because he doesn't want to take him?

My response:

Yes.

Why? Because he's the father. Stop interfering.

IAAL

 

[withonel]

It's unfortunate that the child's father feels he can't take him to his games, but, as it's been noted here already, it's perfectly legal.

From a personal point of view, I'd encourage your daughter to work with her ex to assist him in getting their son to the games. My 10 yo has been a sports nut from day 1, he's been playing something for years (baseball, football, soccer, basketball). We also alternate weekend custody but are both committed to allowing him to participate in the sports he enjoys. We each attend his games on our 'off' weekends whenever possible too.

We've been involved in community sports for many years now (my 14 yo did football for 5 yrs), it means so much for the kids to have their parents there, many kids come from similiar situations and the team experience and consistency of practices and games are a welcome part of thier lives. I've seen divorced couples bring their new partners and everyone get along great, in my case, my ex and I have decided to leave our new partners at home when we come to the games so no one has to deal with any uncomfortableness. My son comes home on my weekends and shares the highlights with my partner. Sure I've missed a weekend event or too with his family but they've always understood that my kids come first and have been very supportive from the start. Hopefully your former son-in-law will think of your grandson's needs and try to work out something.

 

[JoandJa'smom]

Unfortunately the fatehr is well w/in his rights to not take the child to his games. He will regret doing it one day when the child resents him.

JoandJa'smom

 

[haiku]

its TEE BALL people!

have any of you ever been to a teeball game? Its a laugh riot, but definitely NOT the world series....

 

[EEck]

Try having your daughter tell the father that when it is his weekend she will not show up to the ball field to watch the game,
chances are the dad just does not want to be near her. If she assures him that she will let it be the two of them he will most likely take their son. This was my brothers reason for not wanting to sit at the ball field...when it is her weekend she can go and participate...good luck

 

[vindictive X]

I agree 100 % with EEck, my husband didn't want to take his daughter to her t-ball games because her mother would be there. But at the same time didn't want to deprive his daughter of something she seemed to enjoy. As long as the mother didn't show up everything was fine. We didn't go on her times and she finally didn't go on ours. We later got her into gymnastics and the mother never came the daughter was a bit upset because "mommy doesn't want to watch me."
Good luck, if the parents can communicate even if it's just for the the sake of the children it goes much smoother!