Inspired by a federal judge’s ruling in Florida, I would like to suggest a method for parents to resolve disputes–about anything.
Sometimes there is no “right” answer in a dispute. For example, perhaps the question involves whether mom will do the transportation or dad will do the transportation on a given weekend. Either could do it, but both would rather win the argument than simply give in.
When the federal judge was faced with two lawyers who couldn’t agree on where to hold a deposition, he entered a simple order: the lawyers were to meet at a neutral place (accompanied by one clerk, secretary or paralegal to serve as witnesses) and engage in one round of “rock, paper, scissors.” The winner would choose where the deposition was held. (If the lawyers couldn’t agree on a neutral site, the judge directed them to meet on the courthouse steps.)
Perhaps the next time parties or parents cannot agree on something, a simple round of “rock, paper, scissors” could be used to break the stalemate. It has to be less expensive than getting lawyers involved.
And here’s an even crazier idea–have the kids serve as witnesses. This could be an opportunity to show children an effective and fair method of resolving disputes without resorting to violence or other tactics, as well as demonstrating good sportsmanship by accepting the outcome.
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