How do I prove that I am fit to have custody of my children?

Embarking on a legal procedure to have custody of a son or a daughter is a complex but necessary process to guarantee the well-being of children in the family context

In this kind of experiences, psychological reports are usually required by expert psychologists in the forensic area and expert opinions, since This class of professionals are trained to collect relevant information on this topic and carry out from it what is known as parental fitness report, document that talks about the evidence that the father or mother is fit to receive custody parental.

Next, we will briefly see what they are. the main parental skills and aptitudes valued by the psychologist, facts collected in the report and that help judges decide who should keep custody or if it should be shared between both parents.

• Related article: "Forensic Psychology: definition and functions of the forensic psychologist"

What are the psychological aspects that are evaluated in a parenting aptitude report?

This type of psychological expert report aims to establish a context of upbringing and coexistence in which the well-being of the child is prioritized, based on what is known about the parenting skills of the child adult. Starting from this, this process of assessing her parental competence should serve so that the adult shows her ability to exercise a parental role based on the following parental skills.

1. emotional skills

To obtain custody of the children, the father or mother must show that she has the essential social skills both as a functional human being and those that are necessary for to act as a role model before the boy or girl who is raised and cared for, providing not only the material resources necessary for her survival, but also emotional support and affected.

These emotional skills are usually good emotional management, that is, the ability to develop self-care skills regarding alterations such as excess stress, mood problems or difficulties of all kinds on an emotional level.

In addition to that, another of the skills that are most valued are those of emotional self-control, that is, those that allow the person to regulate their emotions when necessary and develop good impulse control, without making the child "pay" for the discomfort suffered by the person adult.

• You may be interested: "Emotional management: 10 keys to dominate your emotions"

2. teaching skills

The next skill measured on a parenting fitness report has to do with the parent's ability to direct, supervise, and control the children's learning course successfully.

These teaching and learning skills also consist of knowing how to establish discipline guidelines and teaching respect and understand norms, guidelines and rules of all kinds that allow life in society and that prepare the child for life adult.

• Related article: "The 13 types of learning: what are they?"

3. Healthy habits

It consists of knowing how to teach healthy lifestyle habits related to hygiene, good nutrition, safety and health in general as well. It is another of the elements that carry the most weight in this type of expert evaluation, because has clear repercussions on the child's health status.

In this section it is necessary to have the essential knowledge about each of these healthy habits and also know how to teach them. in a didactic and understandable way for the son or daughter, at all times, with the aim of integrating them into their day-to-day routines day.

• You may be interested: "10 psychologically healthy daily habits, and how to apply them to your life"

4. Know how to care for and protect

It is evident that one of the essential requirements to obtain custody of a son of a daughter is to be aware of his well-being 24 hours a day, in short, knowing how to care for and protect the child from any problem or eventuality that may arise at any moment.

This very basic skill is essential to maintain the well-being of the child and avoid dangers as much as possible.

5. communication capacity

The ability to communicate effectively with the child consists in being able to transmit all the important knowledge related to their normal growth, their learning about the world and their social relationship with the environment.

In this section, activities such as assertiveness are evaluated, that is, transmitting information or own points of view while respecting the other party; and a correct use of a sense of humor, and empathy, that is, being able to put oneself in the place of the son or daughter at all times.

• Related article: "The 6 types of social skills, and what they are for"

6. Monitoring of evolutionary development

Any father or mother fit to have custody of her children must show a capacity adequate to the time to adjust expectations about the child's cognitive development and its different stages evolutionary

That means, in a nutshell, that the father or mother is capable of detect any type of problem, deficit or disorder throughout the child's cognitive and personal development, and put it in the hands of a qualified health professional, as well as not demanding from her cognitive development more than what corresponds to her level of brain maturation.

7. affective bonding

The affective bond of a parent with her children is the degree of affectivity between the two in a certain moment, and it is another of the most evaluated elements in the aptitude reports parental.

This connection can be understood as the emotional ties between parents and children, the love between them, the capacity for effective communication, empathy and good treatment that are professed both in public and in private.

8. parental involvement

The degree of interest that fathers and mothers can show towards their children It is another of the elements that are valued favorably in the expert reports on parental aptitude.

Involvement with children means always having a good disposition to spend time with them, fun activities together, show them recurring love or affection, and offer support in whatever they do. need.

• You may be interested: "Respectful parenting: 6 tips for parents"

Do you want to have psychological expertise services?

If you are looking for expert and forensic psychology services, get in touch with us.

In Azor & Associates We have been working in this field for many years, as well as in psychotherapeutic support. You will find us in Tres Cantos.