So my mom and I fight a lot. And it usually just like yelling and arguing. And yes, I am disrespectful and have an attitude but my mom is crazy. Like she takes meds. And she is a drunk. Ya. Well recently she started hitting me. She's slapped me across the face 3 times and pushed me, very violently. Now my dad is out of town for work a lot and he is out of town right now. He has been there for 3 weeks and is coming home thursday and leaving again on sunday and then coming back for thanksgiving and leaving again. So i have an opportunity to be with him this weekend and thanksgiving - but my mom said she was going to keep me both of those times. Btw my mom has full custody because they never went to court when they broke up, and I am 13. I usually go with my dad every weekend i can, and he is a very responsible parent. So here are my questions:
1.) Can she really keep me from him with no reason?
2.) Is it ok for her to hit me?
3.) If my dad could stay in town, is there a possibility the court would give him custody?
4.) Can I chose which parent to live with? (Arizona) (I am very responsible, straight a student, njhs, student council, never do anything bad, ect.)
5.) How can I convince her to let me see him this weekend? (With as little conversation as possible.)
She has no reason to not let me see him. He is just as responsible as the next parent, and doesn't break the law or anything like that. And he can be strict, in the good way. HELP PLEASE.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
1) It depends on what your age is. But legally, yes, she can keep you from him.
2) No, it's not okay for her to hit you.
3) It really would depend on what judge you would get. If he cannot stay in town, he would likely only get partial custody.
4) Again, it would depend on what judge you would get. You can choose what parent to stay with, or you can ask that you be appointed to another adult and that your dad get partial custody (or both your mom and dad get partial custody). You would need to discus this with the guardian ad litem you are assigned (anyone under the age of 18 is given one). If she is a drunk, etc, you can say that this is why you do not want to stay with her full time if you don't want to. Sometimes they will either ban the adult from contact with you until they undergo rehab or they allow partial custody or supervised visits while they are getting clean. But do know if you bring this up they will limit your time with her.
5) Sit down and talk NICELY with her. Do you usually go see him for Thanksgiving? Explain that you can do thanksgiving with him for lunch and that you won't eat a lot and then you can do Thanksgiving with her for dinner if she wants. A lot of couples do two Thanksgivings. And ask if you can at least go stay there for one day/night this weekend. Compromise is what it's all about. Tell her you understand that she doesn't have to let you see him, but that you would like to.