In 1996, over 650 children from seven countries came together to draft and adopt a Bill of Rights corresponding to their rights and needs in the world, addressed to the adults all over and what children should expect in their world.1 The precepts range from freedom of persecution of religion and unlawful working conditions, right to an education, clean environment and world, standard of living, amongst 26 commandments.

Within a divorce, it's easy for parents to

a) forget the children are absorbing the pain

b) make their problems the children's problems, even though they are relentlessly stuck in the middle. Parents should refer to and print out this Bill as a reminder that the world doesn't center around themselves, but more importantly, their future-the child (http://web.kidlink.org/KIDFORUM/Bills/Rights.html). Because the child is the future and it's important to understand to also review these Rights to them to be able to understand and flourish in today's and tomorrow's world.

Some important ones to stress that involve the subject of divorce are as follow:

• CHILDREN'S UNIVERSAL RIGHTS
  This is a bit broad but children are just little people that are entitled to basic rights of life despite their origin, sex, race, or religion. However, until they are 18, the parent is responsible for caring and protecting the minor (until 18 years old).
  
  
• RIGHT TO RESPECT AND COURTESY
  The children have nothing to do between the parent's matters and should always be kept in mind, respected with courtesy because they have done nothing wrong.
  
  
• RIGHT TO AN IDENTITY
  It is the baby/young child's right when they are older to know who their other parent is. They deserve the right to know who their other parent is so they can mature with knowledge of self identity.
  
  
• RIGHT TO CARE AND NURTURING
  This is the parents' responsibilities to do the absolute best care-giving because they are a minor and dependent.
  
  
• RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING 
  Every child has the right to a standard of living adequate for his or her physical, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development
  
  
• RIGHT TO LIFE, PHYSICAL INTEGRITY AND PROTECTION FROM MALTREATMENT 
  Children have the right to all the above alongside having a healthy quality of life. This means that no child should be harmed by any adult or parent in the forms of abuse {physical (slapping and hitting), mental, verbal, drug (including tobacco and alcohol), and sexual}.2

There are other “Bill of Rights” drafted by others about the children’s rights in a split family. Some important ones in need of attention:
A) The child has the right to love both parents.

• The child should never have to pick between the two. They should have the right to both parents’ love. As well as if the child holds favor with one parent, that it should be granted the child be heard and considered.

• That also means that parents should never slander the other parent to the child. This is the parent’s battle; don’t make your kid fight your battle.

B) The child has the right to be raised in a safe and nurturing environment

• The child is entitled to be assigned to the fit parent. The child should never be abused sexually, physically, mentally, or verbally. It is already a shaking and insecure time for the child, to cede all negatives in a home and provide a supportive and positive environment is the best setup.

C) Children have the right to see both sides of family (aunts, uncles, grandparents). If those members were an integral part of the child’s life, it should be continued to maintain a healthy mental state and stability.3