To the Editor:

Do your parents ask you for your opinion? Do they even consider it or think about your opinion?

I think that every child should be able to have a say or bigger part in joint custody. In my case, I never got a choice or a say on where I would live. The court and my parents made a schedule and agreed on it.

I have some reasons on why children should have more of a say in joint custody:

— The child doesn’t like the other parent: Most children have a favorite parent. In most cases, it is the mom. My preference is my mom. I don’t like going to my dad’s. I would rather be at my mom’s;

— The child doesn’t like the environment: When I go to my dad’s, I live and sleep in a crappy basement. There are spiders, dead bugs, and cobwebs everywhere. Before we moved,we had an apartment where I actually had a room. When we moved, my dad had a girlfriend (still does and she has a daughter). So, it is a family of five. Sophie has Lisa and my brother has my dad. I have no one; and

— The child or teen’s mood or attitude might change throughout their life: Over the years, I went from being sensitive and the crybaby to being pissed or angry — especially when I come back from my dad’s house, from the stress over there.

You might say that the parents want the child to see both parents. But, do you think that the child’s opinion should be heard?

The child might feel uncomfortable with switching to a different house. I usually always feel uncomfortable, frustrated, and left out. During movies, I sit by myself and everyone else sits together on the couch; there is no room for me. I feel that sometimes they would be better off without me.

Having and raising a child between different houses is not only hard for you, it’s hard for them too. Let them choose where they can live, or at least let them have more of a say for where they live. I know children are supposed to be 13 to choose, but maybe we can make it an earlier age. I want to have a choice, I never did, but maybe someone else can.

Victoria Zickas

Farnsworth Middle School