Law Office of Heath L. Baker

DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO! There's a lot of this going around lately. And not just with our government officials who demand one set of standards for the public while maintaining a separate standard for themselves. ... This is going on in our homes, schools, work places, childcare centers, and everywhere that children and parents interact. Often I see entire families sitting in a restaurant, or in a "family room" with the television OFF, or at an "outing" and none of them are interacting with the others. Rather, everyone is banging away on the phone in their hand. As an attorney who represents parents and children I often hear about the "cell phone struggles" and the problems associated with kids on the phone non-stop. But then I see the parents setting the example - without the ability to set the phone down for even a moment. If your child has an issue with their screen time, start resolving the issue by setting the example. Your children typically want to emulate you; so start being the example you want your kids to follow. Be good to each other! #phone #cell #cellphones #cellphone #smartphone #children #kids #child #example #rolemodel #screentime #coparenting #dads #family #families #doasisaynotasido #doasisay #begoodtoeachother See more

Sound familiar? The day(s) after Christmas are full of their own parenting challenges. ... As if, no school for two weeks (haha, okay, 10 months) isn't hard enough for some parents. Now, throw in the post-Christmas gratitude and you have a design for turmoil brewing. If you are thinking about having children... do it! They are a greater joy than they are a frustration. But be prepared for your child to be "that kid" every once in a while. They will be. Be good to each other! #christmas #presents #gift #gifts #toy #toys #children #kids #kid #son #daughter #raisingboys #raisingkids #parent #parents #parenting #moms #dads #fighting #divorce #divorced See more

Merry Christmas to you and all of your families. Prayers and hope for a 2021 much different than 2020. ... Be good to each other! #christmas #merry #merrychristmas #newyear #2020 #2021 #family #families #kids #kid #child #children #parents #parent #mom #moms #dad #dads #divorce #divorced #coparenting #holidays See more

is there something you've always wanted to tell your parents? Say it here. Every generation we hear about a disconnect between parents and children. Are the differences that great? ... I've found it to be a case by case, family by family issue more than a generational thing. What do you think? Be good to each other. #parent #parents #parenting #kid #kids #children #child #relationships #respect #understand #love #questions #fatherfigure #rolemodel #custody #divorce #divorced #familylaw #familylawattorney #familylawattorney #begoodtoeachother See more

Be good to each other! This week many of you will experience the receiving end of someone else's poor decision making. ... The other parent will be late to pick up or to drop off the kids for a visit or Christmas. PLEASE, don't explode; your children pay attention to how you respond. If you've been teaching and talking, "joy" and "cheer" and "kindness to mankind" then act like a monster your children will start to assimilate the two as one. You might have family that is completely screwed up! And you get to host them for the holidays. The same applies. Either way, this is a short week. Prepare for hurdles as you anticipate Christmas. You can handle it. Have a great holiday. Merry Christmas, everyone! #begoodtoeachother #parents #parenting.#kids #children #child #relationships #christmas #merry #merrychristmas #childcustody #custody #coparenting #coparent #dads #moms #singleparent #stepparent #divorced #divorcerecovery See more

This one mom gets it.... Separation and divorce is hard. Very hard! They say that going through a divorce is only second, to dealing with life's worst trials (following the death of a child). ... But what is a divorce, really? A divorce is nothing more than dissolving the marital relationship. YES, there are other issues; like child custody, support and division of property. But you can work those out. It's the interpersonal issue that cannot be worked out that lead to dissolving the relationship between mom and dad; not parents and children. Often, I have found, the toxic environment goes away when the parents stay away from each other. Then the parents can continue to love the children separately. Think about it. Be good to each other. #divorce #divorced #dads #moms #dadlife #momlife #parents #parenting #fighting #children #child #custody #custodybattle #coparenting #coparent #custodybattle #family #kids #singleagain #toxic #toxicrelationships #toxicpeople #separation #begoodtoeachother See more

Happy Hanukkah! From all of us, to all of our Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah. As you celebrate the Festival of Dedication we wish you well, joy, and prosperity. ... Be good to each other! #hanukkah #hanukkahgifts #hanukkah2020 #holidays #holidayseason #holiday #jewishfriends #eightnights #family #children #kids #gift #gifts #presents See more

Blended family? Step children? How did they get there? Have you ever stopped to think about the input a step child has regarding their "new" family? Not much; is usually the answer. ... Just because you love your new spouse and have the ability to move on in life, doesn't mean your children will feel the same way. Remember, your step kids might not like you as much as their parent does, either. Give step kids a break. They have no choice in where or who their "step family" might be. Be good to each other! #blendedfamily #stepchildren #stepkids #stepparents #stepmom #stepdad #stepmoms #stepdads #stepchild #stepbrother #stepsister #divorce #divorced #divorcedmom #divorcelawyer #family #friends #love #children #kids #child See more

Are you making a living or a life? The success of parenting is the balanced act of each of these. In reality, parents must make a living. We must provide for our children. ... But there's a balance and we must make a life with the living we earn. If you're not enjoying a life with your children from the living you're earning; you're out of balance. If you're going to work that hard ("for your kids"), take some time and let them enjoy it (while you're still around). Be good to each other! #income #earnings #wages #living #job #work #career #overtime #money #life #fun #joy #kids #children #family #hope #future #parenting #dad #dads #singledads #divorced #parents #love #begoodtoeachother See more