If you had to testify at your parents' divorce proceeding, and your mom said she'd never talk to you again if you testified for your dad, and your dad said he'd pay for all your college if you testified for him, you would testify for your dad, amirite?

I would testify for neither

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I would tell the court that my parents attempted to coerce the witness and have them sent to jail.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

The love a child has for their parents...

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Right. I'm sure you would try to get both of your parents sent to jail. You'd really be a lot better off that way. It's easy to say that when you're not the one trying to make the decision.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Anyone who values logic over emotion WOULD make that decision. If your parents feel the need to bribe you, then either they don't actually love you or they don't think that you love them.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

No, an armchair quarterback WOULD make that decision. I don't think anyone would try to get both of their parents locked away (not that any judge would probably lock then up for that). It's easy for you to say that because you're not faced with the situation. On thr other hand, you really expect me to try to get both of my parents locked up so I can be placed into the care of the state and end up at a foster home over this and think that's a better solution? That's ludicrous, and I know for a FACT that you wouldn't do that if you were on my position. Stop being ridiculous.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yes, you know exactly how a complete stranger would act in a situation you've only just imagined and have never been in.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I find it easier to believe than that someone would try to send both of their parents to jail and have themself put into child protective services over their parents' divorce squabbles.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

As the atheist portion of the world will testify, belief gets you nowhere.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Look, we get it--you're stone cold and not affected by emotions, and you wouldn't hesitate to get both of your parents thrown in jail and become a ward of the state. We're all very impressed. What I'm saying is that there's a big difference between playing Internet tough guy and actually being placed in the position for real, as has happened to me.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What I hate about arguing with anyone is that they always assume there is no in-between. Either you agree or you're a monster that needs to burn in hell forever. There's no way to point out the logical fallacies without being... let's face it, exiled.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

???

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yeah, because your mother is your mother and would speak to you again. She needs to come up with a better bribe.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yeah. If your mom can't respect your decision to live with your father, well, I feel sorry for her, but come on. He'll pay for your life. It's not like you would never see your mom again.DAMN IT stop making me think :(

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'm sure your mother would help for you college, too. She might be able to put up half, and don't judges have the power to force your dad to pay for the other half? Or save up the child support money! Idk. A college education is pretty important, and your mother should never not talk to you again for that reason.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What are you talking about? A judge can't order your parents to pay for your college. That's ridiculous.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

A judge can enforce a settlement which requires one parent to help the other with child's college educations. These expenses can sometimes be included in child support or even alimony.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Not true.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

http://www.divorcenet.com/states/new_jersey/payment_of_college_costs If the parents include college expenses in the divorce settlement, an agreement based on income and other factors can be reached. True, if there is no talk of colllege in the settlement, it is unlikely that a parent will be forced to pay for the education, but if there is, a judge can enforce it. If OPs testifies for her mother, and there is a college settlement, her father may still be required to help with college expenses. This process may vary in different states and countries, but it is not an impossibility.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

You're assuming that paying for college is part of the divorce settlement. Of course a judge can force someone to pay a certain amount of anything that's a part of a settlement. I was saying that a judge can't just point at my dad and say "You have to pay for half of your kid's college!"

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yes, I guess you can say that I assumed that there was a settlement involved, but I never said that a judge could force a parent to pay for the child's education without one, either. I suppose I worded it strangely at first without mentioning anything of a settlement.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Right in the first comment you said my mom could pay for half (which she can't) and then implied a judge could force my dad to pay the other half.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Okay, I'm sorry that my suggestion does not apply to your situation. My parents are divorced, and I know how parents can try to get you to play for their sides. If you really think a college education is something you want for you life, I think you should do what you need to do to get one. Ultimatums are never easy. If you choose to go with your dad, I hope your mother can understand your decision and try to keep a relationship with you.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If they both really loved you, they wouldn't be giving you options like that.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Well, they are, and I have to make a decision. We could sit here all day and talk about how it shouldn't be the case if they really loved me, but that's not going to change the fact that I have to make the choice and soon.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

They don't need to bribe me, I would choose my dad either way

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I would choose my mum

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Someone who offers to fund my education > Someone who would choose not to contact her child because she wasn't the favourite parent

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'd tell 'em both to shove it. Parents shouldn't blackmail their fucking kids.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

As a child needing a guardian, you shouldn't be fucking.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

That's easy to say when you're not the one presented with the situation.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'd choose my dad over my mom any day. My mom's too bitchy.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

lol my dad paying for college...

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If I was being bribed both ways I would go for neither, well actually it doesn't matter if they bribed me or not, when it comes to stuff like that I think the kids should be left out of it. (Although their opinion counts, they shouldn't be made to testify against a parent unless they really wanted to).

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Well, in my case, my dad's an asshole.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I don't need a bribe, I favor my father already. It's sad but I know all of my siblings do too.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It would depend for me.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

My dad's pretty much a dick.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I love both of my parents.. :/ I think I wouldn't testify at all.

by Anonymous 12 years ago