In Family Law the “best interest of the child” is the paramount concern for the Court. When parents are feuding over custody, or child related matters, the Court is charged with deciphering what is in the best interest of the child by determining the facts of a particular situation and how those facts relate to a list of certain factors. This is called an Albright Analysis (previously blogged).
However, while this may result in the Court determining which parent is in the best interest of the child- it only ultimately results in a comparison of the two and does not indicate what act/actions are in the best interest of the child. In English, this means the Court picks the better parent, but it does not automatically mean that the favored parent is a great parent. Rather it just means they were better than the alternative.
So, what is a great parent? A parent that reads to their young child, provides for their education, health and general welfare. A parent that has fun with their child and encourages creative thinking and activities. Well, yes. All of these are factors in good parenting.
But what is the best thing that YOU can do for your child? Love them. Sure, but in addition, LOVE the other parent.
What? That creep? Yes. Loving the other parent means you make sure the other parent is in that child’s life in a meaningful way. Loving the other parent means you are not denigrating them to the child or others. Loving the other parents means you do not do anything to cause your child to not love the other parent.
I see the opposite too much! One parent hates the other. They try to punish the other parent by restricting their access to the child. This is wrong. (There may be circumstances that warrant this, but they are rare and are usually temporary.)
What is the BEST thing you, as a parent, can do for your Child? LOVE the other parent enough to let them have a relationship with the child.
Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer
You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms
(601) 850-8000 - - BowTieLawyer.MS 
TOUGH advice to swallow MT! But you are right. When your children are comfortable and happy or excited to talk with you about good times and memories with/about their other parent, and you encourage that behavior and relationship, it is extremely helpful to and healthy for them. You are teaching morals that they will remember forever. It may be hard, but it IS best for the kids! They will thank you for it, a loving and guilt-free childhood.