Opinion ID: 901914
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Willingness to maturely encourage and provide frequent and meaningful contact between the child and the other parent.

Text: [¶ 44.] The trial court focused extensively on this factor in determining its custody award. There are some serious discrepancies in the record. [¶ 45.] We can only conclude based on the record that neither parent wanted to give up any time with Thomas, and would have preferred not to share visitation time with the other parent. This is unfortunately the reality of the child custody and visitation process. We do not see any successful attempts by either party in blocking access to Thomas, but certainly attempts by both parties to have as much time as possible with Thomas. [¶ 46.] The record does not support Mike's claim that Joleen was purposefully attempting to alienate Thomas from Mike, as there is no evidence anywhere in the record other than Mike's allegations, that Joleen was so engaged. Dr. Van Gilder, Dr. Clayborne, and Turbak all testified that Joleen was unable to hide her fear of losing Thomas and her panic for his safety and security while at the farm. Both parties made inappropriate comments regarding their distain for the other in Thomas's presence, although the record is also clear that more comments were made at Joleen's home. Thus, we conclude that the trial court's finding of fact number twenty-nine, that Joleen had continued to attempt to alienate Thomas from Mike, is clearly erroneous.