For all of you divorced parents out there who try to use their children as pawns in your revenge against your ex, watch out, jail time could be in your future. In a recent decision by the Honorable Robert A. Ross of the Supreme Court for Nassau County, a mother was recently sentenced to six (6) weekends in jail for alienating the parties children from their father. 

The case, Lauren R. v. Ted R., dealt with the following facts:

1.    The mother continually attempted to 'replace' the childrens' father with her new     
husband;
2.    The mother continually interfered with the father's visitation with the children by either deliberately withholding the visitation or scheduling other activities for them so the father could not effectuate his visitation;
3.    The mother falsely reported sexual misconduct by the father against the children; and
4.    The mother threatened the children with tirades and punishment if they were to        
embrace the relationship they wanted with their father.

While most families go through an emotional upheaval during a divorce, things generally settle down once a settlement is reached or a Judgment is handed down after a trial.  It is in cases as the one described above where a heavy hand is used to punish the wrong-doing spouse.  No matter what, your children are your children and should not be used as pawns in your divorce or custody/visitation hearing.  Try your best to make a life for your children so that you are there in their lives to see them achieve all of life's milestones - after all, would you really want to miss out on birthdays, graduations, ceremonies?  After all, the alternative could be jail!