As a Mother, when dealing with a Guardian Ad Litem in your child custody case:

Don’t Exaggerate, Understate.–when explaining the difficulties you are encountering with the father of your child, narrow the focus and the conversation to the top 1 or 2 issues. Focus on the most critical issue and be organized about your concerns. Have specific incidences outlined in summary form with a list of any witnesses, their phone numbers, email address and physical address as well as the best time to call. Give a copy of your outline to the GAL but make sure their is no profanity and no opinions about dad. The outline should not be longer than one page.

Don’t be a “Gusher” in your first Meeting – If you are speaking more than 5 or 6 minutes straight about an issue, you are probably “gushing”. I liken “gushing” to verbally throwing upon the GAL, trying to express all your thoughts and emotions about dad’s parenting deficiencies in one prolonged monologue. The problem with “gushing” is the GAL, like other people, just quit hearing and discerning what you are trying to communicate. They simply turn “gushers” off.

Part “C” to follow-Feed your information to the GAL in manageable doses—- Your GAL may oppose you in Court—–