Evidence of a loving relationship between mother and child.

Child's behavior indicates a fear of father's disapproval.

The mother has had experienced substance abuse, but she shows a clear willingness to deal with her problems in a healthy manner, as evidenced by her voluntary treatment in a rehab program.

The father was intoxicated, and "claims" to be in a rehab program.

The mother revealed an episode where, in a blind rage, the father launched into an obscenity-laden verbal attack, and then grabbed a picture frame of the wall and threw it at her. The picture struck her and shattered. She chose not to go to a hospital for fear of further angering him.

Try to deny that the event happened as he perceived it. If that fails, minimize the event's importance by explaining how the judge won't want to hear it. If he is still insistent, try to discover what he did that caused her to react as she did.

If you do decide to include it in the report, you can write it up like this:

In response to the father's verbal, psychological, and physical abuse, the mother revealed an incident where she defended herself by grabbing a picture off the wall and threw it in his direction. The picture shattered upon impact, but the father was unharmed.

Despite very difficult economic circumstances following the family breakup, the mother has managed to rent a comfortable apartment with enough room for the children. The apartment was clean and sufficiently furnished.

(Leave out of report).

(Leave out of report)

The father often gets angry, at his child as well as at what he refers to as "the court system." In response to the question: "What one thing about your parenting requires improvement?" the father replied, "I lose my temper too easily."

Mother has a loving relationship with child, which she demonstrates by healthy physical displays of affection.

Father appears to be excessive in his need to touch the child. Though this reporter found no evidence of sexual abuse, the father's display of physical affection is troubling.

The mother displayed a healthy, instinctive understanding of the appropriate application of parental discipline. When the child had a tantrum during the interview in the restaurant, insisting on having ice cream, the mother firmly but gently corrected the child.

Father appeared to be controlling with the child. At one point during the interview, the child's repeated request for ice cream was treated with excessive harshness by the father.

Child has been traumatized by seeing mother abused by father, and has developed pathological behavior to avoid showing affection for mother out of fear father will retaliate by hitting mom. Father's abuse must be so severe that the child does not even recognize that with the father not present, there is no way he can know.

Child appears fearful of the father, evidence of father's abusive and controlling behavior.

Despite the trauma of the family breakup, the mother has maintained relationships with her friends and has a social life outside of her family that helps her maintain a healthy psychological balance.

The father appears to be more interested in hanging out with his friends than paying proper attention to his children. He frequently has friends over, even when he has the children with him.