‘Since my divorce I’ve seen my boy only once, through no fault of my own’

Fathers and Families activists testified in favor of our shared parenting bill (H02684) last Wednesday. The bill, lead sponsored by Representative John Scibak, supports children and strengthens families by creating a rebuttable presumption of shared parenting in divorce cases, so that children can sustain their loving relationships with both parents.
Fathers and Families member Howie Simon (pictured) testified in favor of H02684. Simon said:

I was involved in a divorce in 2009. Three months prior to this, the mother disallowed me from seeing my 14-year-old son, who I was very close to. Since then I’ve seen my boy only once, through no fault of my own.

Simon’s full testimony is below. To read others’ testimony, click here. To learn more about H02684, see our campaign page, click here. Howie Simon’s Testimony in Favor of H02684 I support bill H02684 Shared Parenting. I am a hard working father in Massachusetts who believes it is best for both parents to share raising a child even in the face of divorce. Having both parents be involved allows for diversity in the child’s social development and emotional health. The laws of nature are clear when it comes to parents. All parents are created equal. I was involved in a divorce in 2009. Three months prior to this, the mother disallowed me from seeing my 14-year-old son, who I was very close to. Since then I’ve seen my boy only once, through no fault of my own. If all parents are created equal, then why are some parents more equal than others? I urge you to enact the shared parenting bill because it’s the right thing to do. It will help build kids who respect their elders and take responsibility for their actions. It would make a more productive state when the kids are behaving better in general.