Mother loses custody of two sons as judge slams her ‘permissive parenting’ style

A mother who let her sons play video games until late at night has lost custody of them to their father, after a judge criticised her for her laid back parenting technique.

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by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

The boys, 11 and 14, have been placed in the care of their father so that they'll be given 'the guidance and boundaries appropriate for teenage boys.'

According to the judge who made the order, the boys would stay up late, show up late for school and not do their homework - whilst their mother stayed in bed for most of the day.

Judge Laura Harris said the mother was: 'complacent about the educational issues and minimised concerns about lateness, homework and general progress.'

Judge Harris suggested the mother was probably suffering with depression, as she spent most of the day in bed
Judge Harris suggested the mother was probably suffering with depression, as she spent most of the day in bed

The judge added that she thought it likely the mother was depressed, adding: 'She does spend hours under the duvet, on the phone or using her iPad, and the children are left to their own devices. It seems to me to be likely that they are spending a lot of time playing on their own or on their Xboxes.'

'I am satisfied that there is a failure to provide proper guidance and boundaries essential for the social and emotional development of these pre-adolescent and adolescent boys.'

In her cutting statement, the Judge added that the mother had 'significantly failed' her sons, and that the older boy is not achieving his educational potential because of his lack of guidance.

'I consider the permissive parenting in this case has caused the children harm.'

'I consider the permissive parenting in this case has caused the children harm'

The boy's father, who requested custody in 2012 after complaining he had been denied contact with his children, will now be their primary caregiver.

Judge Harris praised the father for his belief in 'structure, boundaries and discipline' and that it was unsurprising that the boys disliked this approach.

She also added that the mother's hatred of her ex-husband was so great she had started to instil this hatred in her children.

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