Co-paren ling
Resources
AS THE FATHER, YOU WILL HAVE A UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR BABY. Children who know their fathers also have more complete medical histories and have a potential to access financial benefits like Social Security. Studies have shown that
You are a Fat her
There
are
websites
and
resources
available
to
offer
support for fathers. Young Fathers of Central Florida is an example of a resources available to young fathers (youngfathersofcentralflorida.com). Planned Parenthood
PART ONE
is another resource that might be helpful for you.
children whose fathers were very involved with their life had higher educational achievement and income achievement.
CO-PARENTING: IT’S NOT A COMPETITION BETWEEN TWO HOMES; IT’S A COLLABORATION OF PARENTS DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KIDS. Co-parenting with your child’s mother can be very rewarding for both you and your child. Children need both of their parents’ love, support, and attention for healthy development and growth. During the first year of your child’s life, co-parenting leads to better child adjustment in later years and better socio-emotional development. Successful co-parenting involves active cooperation and communication between both parents. This is especially important if the parents no longer share a romantic relationship as successful co-parenting leads to positive father involvement and lower levels of parental conflict. Low levels of parental conflict are linked to children’s behavioral
outcomes,
academic
achievement,
and
psychological well-being. Co-parenting leads to a sense of stability and normalcy for children, increased consistency in rules, and shared responsibilities and concern for the child.
THERE ARE FOUR MARKERS OF SUCCESSFUL CO-PARENTING: 1) children have a good relationship with both parents; 2) both parents respond to the needs of their children; 3) parents rarely argue and never argue in front of children; and 4) parents do not place their children in the middle of conflicts.
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CO-PARENTING
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YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
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CUSTODY AND ADOPTION
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RESOURCES
Your Legal Rights During pregnancy, the mother has legal rights regarding the pregnancy.
However, your role is still important.
Research suggests many mothers will make decisions about the pregnancy based on the expectation of involvement by you, so it is important to support your child’s mother and be involved early on in the pregnancy.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY,
Custody
Adop t ion
Custody is important to establish and is generally done
Adoption is an option that, in most states, requires that both
through the court system.
UNMARRIED FATHERS ARE NOT ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY GIVEN FULL RIGHTS TO THEIR CHILDREN. In Florida, if a child is born to unmarried parents, the father will have to petition the court for timesharing (visitation with
YOU AS THE CHILD’S FATHER,
say in your child’s life). You may have to pay child support,
your child) and shared parental responsibility (having equal
SO THAT YOU CAN EXERCISE YOUR
you can have visitation with your child, or you can petition the
PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
school, your parents may be held responsible for paying child
courts for joint custody. If you are a teen still attending high support under the Welfare Reform Act.
of Paternity, which must be signed by both you and your child’s mother. You can also establish paternity through genetic or DNA testing, which usually requires the court system and costs money.
In some cases, if the mother wants to pursue an adoption plan, you as the father can petition to get sole legal custody. Guardianship refers to the temporary rights of a guardian, such as the child’s grandparents, to make major life decisions. You as the father and your child’s mother would still have your parental rights; however, guardianships can be granted
WHICH IS THE LEGAL RECOGNITION OF
You can establish paternity by signing the Acknowledgement
you and your child’s mother must agree on this arrangement.
when you or the mother need help caring for your child.