Treat ex-hubby as guest when he visits child: Madras high court – Times of India

CHENNAI: How should spouses fighting for shared custody of their child conduct themselves in front of the child? Addressing this delicate issue, the Madras high court said: “During separation, spouses are not required to treat each other with equal respect or with love, but humanity demands they be nice to each other in front of their children … They shall treat the other … at least as a guest … since in our customs and practice, a guest is treated as ‘athithi devo bhava (guest is god)’.”
Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy, hearing an application moved by a man seeking visitation rights with his minor child who is residing with his mother, said some spouses misbehave and quarrel in front of the child.
As for the case on hand, he directed the wife to show hospitality whenever the husband visits, by providing snacks and by having dinner together so that the child feels happy.
“Hatred is not an emotion that comes naturally to a vast majority of children; it has to be taught. A parent who would teach a child to hate or fear the other parent represents a grave and persistent danger to the mental and emotional health of that child,” Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy said.