• 22
  • November
    2012

Natural disasters are trying for everyone, but for those with joint child custody, storms such as Hurricane Sandy can be a total nightmare. Parents worry if their child is with their significant other, but they also fret about their children's reactions to the storm. During these difficult times, the inspirational stories of some families can bring hope to co-parents who may be struggling to reconcile recent events with their own custody plans.

One woman who lives in a small village near Brooklyn reported that she took custody of her son for Hurricane Sandy. Aside from a few questions and isolated late-night wake-ups, her son weathered the storm with grace. Luckily, the family's home was spared from the storm and remained warm, safe, lighted and dry.

After the storm was over, the woman called her ex-husband, who reported that his house was also untouched from the storm. He remained in his own warm, dry house with plenty of food, in contrast to many of the other area residents.

The child's parents realized that this was an excellent opportunity to teach their son about community and the importance of giving to others. They collected goods for people whose homes had been devastated by the storm, and they volunteered to assist others. They were then able to prepare for their own festive Halloween, which was made even sweeter by the fact that they were spared damage during the severe weather event.

Most importantly, the storm confirmed the family's faith in their custody agreement, which allowed the child to spend time in two loving, functional households. The woman confessed that she found herself in the midst of an embarrassment of riches when she considered the resources available to the family.

This couple reports the same trials and problems as most other divorcees, but they find themselves thankful for their ability to weather storms that are both physical and emotional.

Source: The Huffington Post, "An embarrassment of riches," Annette Powers, Nov. 12, 2012.