A Child's Bill of Rights

1. I have the right to LOVE WHOM I CHOOSE: parents, stepparents, and relatives, without guilt, pressure, or rejection.
2. I have the right NOT to be asked to CHOOSE which parent I want to live with. I also have the right to express a PREFERENCE if I have one.
3. I have the right to BE WITH BOTH OF MY PARENTS, regardless of grown-up wants and wishes regarding convenience, money, or feelings.
4. I have the right to CONSISTENCY and a dependable daily and weekly ROUTINE, one that is not filled with alternating patterns and disruptions.
5. I have the right to be angry, sad, and fearful, and to EXPRESS MY FEELINGS.
6. I have the right to LOVE BOTH OF MY PARENTS, since they are both a part of me, and to be reassured that this is ok.
7. I have the right NOT to be asked to BLAME or to CHOOSE SIDES.
8. I have the right to be a CHILD; I am a child. Don't ask me to act like an ADULT or to make adult decisions. It is not my responsibility to be a friend or comforter to either parent.
9. I have the right to expect my parents to BE ADULT ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND that if I need to be with one of them it does not mean I love the other less.
10. I have the right to HAVE MY SAY, BUT NOT MY WAY.
11. I have the right NOT to be asked to serve as a MESSENGER between my parents.
12. I have the right NOT to have to hear my parents ARGUE and FIGHT in front of me.
13. I have the right NOT to have to hear my parents say BAD THINGS about each other or each other's friends and family.
14. I have the right NOT TO HAVE TO TELL one parent what goes on in the other's home; don't GRILL ME.
15. I have the right to TELL ANYONE if a parent harms me or places me at risk.
16. I have the right NOT to be asked to keep SECRETS from one parent.
17. I have the right NOT to be involved in CHILD SUPPORT and MONEY ISSUES.
18. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE A KID!!!!!