Family Court

Today we had our first ever family court. And it was so very, very, very effective! We held family court because of a dispute between Miss 6, Miss 5 and Miss 8 over who was or was not lying about who was or was not beaten in the backyard.

My dear husband was the judge and I was the defense attorney. The charge against Miss 6 was battery and Miss 5 was the victim. ( I just learned that battery can be any unwanted touch!! Wow!) Miss 5 took the stand and after showing her which hand was her right hand, she promised to tell the truth. The minute she was on the stand she reminded me of Ronald Reagan saying, “I do not recall.” (anyone else remember Iran-Contra?)

Did you play with your sisters outside today?

I don’t remember.

Did something happen with your sisters outside?

I don’t remember.

(At this point, my husband and I were looking at each other, wondering if Miss 6 was going to get off scot free.)

After a few more questions Miss 5 was finally able to recall that Miss 6 had grabbed her by the shoulders and shaken her. Next Miss 8 took the stand as a witness. She assured us she had seen the shaking and that scratching may have also been involved. Miss 8 assured us that open handed hitting had also occurred.

Now, let me just say, that the reason we held this court was because previous to the court Miss 6 refused to admit any physical contact with Miss 5. She sobbed while she set the table for dinner, she was morose through dinner, and she was adamant that she had not hit or scratched her sister.

The judge called Miss 6 to testify. To my surprise, she sang like a canary! Yes, she had gotten upset in the backyard. Yes, she had grabbed Miss 5 by the shoulders and shaken her. She was careful to clarify that it was a “shake” and not a “scratch” or a “hit”, which is what she had previously denied. (Shockingly crafty for a 6-year-old if you ask me!)

The judge ruled that Miss 6 was guilty and ordered restitution. In other words, say you’re sorry to Miss 5 and report to daddy that you have apologized.

Overall, I was impressed. The truth came out without tears, without shrieking accusations and without added drama- which is HUGE in a house of all girls.

I would highly recommend this procedure. *two thumbs up*