I believe that young children should have a stay-at-home parent, if at all possible. I also believe parents should stay together for the sake of their children if at all possible. I believe that if parents cannot stay together for the sake of the children, then they should cooperate in promoting the best interests of the children, and treat each other with respect and dignity.
If the parents split up, believe that joint legal custody is best, and that the children should spend as much time as possible with both parents.
Based on what some of the people have posted on this thread, and others, I must have very unrealistic expectations.:)
Seriously, though, I know that not all parents are good parents, and not all divorces are amicable. But the people who are good parents and treat each other with respect are the ones who deserve commendation.
I agree up to a point. Unfortunately, around middle school the whole thing starts to break down. I saw some kids in high school go through real hell being ping ponged back and forth between parents. At some point, "the best interest of the child" standard really needs to prevail.