When she was ,17 my niece started protesting having to visit her father. The custody agreement said she had to come but no judge could make her like it. She pretty much stayed on her room. When she turned 18 she stopped coming at all. Why? Because my brother in law is nuts and so bitter about the divorce that he couldn’t stop trashing his ex. She’s expressed concern about her 15 year old brother because being stuck in a house while your dad rants is no fun or healthy.
And this are the tragic stories....I have yet to hear of someone ‘forced’ to visit a parent for a period of time who has said it was wonderful and inspiring and uplifting. Truth is if the adults had worked as hard at their relationship with their spouse perhaps they wouldn’t have to work so hard in court to force children into even more uncomfortable situations