The guardian feels that Matt is doing well in her custody now and that many of Matt's reasons about living in his father's house can be addressed by expanding visitation, particularly in the summer. In addition, it is troubling to the guardian that Dustin harbors much resentment towards his mother, and the guardian feels that there is a chance that Matt could also formulate similar resentment if he lived primarily with Dustin and his father. Wife testified that Matthew received good grades, A's and B's, and that her work schedule allowed her to spend considerable time with Matthew after school. She also noted that Dustin's grades were not as good, and she felt this was because his father did not spend enough time with him after school. Matthew's classroom aide and wife's sister testified that Matthew and his mother had a good relationship and that wife was a good mother to Matthew.
Wife has a high school education.
Husband also worked in a factory full-time and attended college at night, obtaining his degree in about eight years. In 1983, at husband's request, wife stayed home to care for Dustin and the household. Except for a brief return to factory work, wife was a homemaker until 1990, when she became a teacher's aide at Matthew's school. As a teacher's aide, wife works 182 days per year, seven hours per day. Wife testified that she felt it was in Matthew's best interests that she continue working as a teacher's aide and that a factory job would entail irregular hours and child care expenses.