A Greeting
This case describes a succession of events as described by a father. The father is a professional licensed in economics. The mother is a professional licensed in a medical field. The (then) four year old son is their only child. Neither parent has had any other children.
It is his birthday. He lives in New York. Alone.
His child lives with his ex-wife in Florida.
The phone rings.
"Happy Birthday, darling!"
"Hello ?! ..."
"It's me darling, your ex-wife. I just wanted to wish you happiness and let you know that I am having sex with one of the doctors from my hospital in front of your four year old son. Happy Birthday, darling!"
And click. There is no more sound.
It is his birthday. And he is looking at the phone in his hand.
Questions:
- How often do you think scenarios similar to this story happen in real life?
- Do you think that the behaviour exhibited by the custodial parent in this story affected the son's relationship with his father?
- Do you think that the behaviour exhibited by the custodial parent in this story affected the son's relationship with his his mother?
- Do you think that the behaviour exhibited by the custodial parent in this story affected the four year old?
- Do you think a real life Court would start a serious investigation of this matter?
- Do you think a real life Court would do anything in this matter?
- Obviously, if confronted about her statements, the custodial parent who is an otherwise intelligent woman, would never admit to having used that language, as she would hire a high pay partner from "Schlanders and Schtumpingone" to make it virtually impossible to prove what actually happened on that day.
Do you think it would be worth doing something to educate custodial parents against behaviours which may be very hard to prove illegal, but carry horrendous potential to engender violence, long standing resentment, and affect multiple and complex relationships, particularly involving their own children, in irreversible ways?
- What do you think could be done?
