Can an 8 year old decide which parent to live with?

[Hart70]

My son is 8 and has told the Social Worker, Guardian, Doctor and his teachers he wants to live with me. But they make it 50/50.
He feels his wish to live with me is being ignored and often gets very upset when its time to go to his dads. His teachers threaten him with punishment if he gets upset when his dad picks him up. This is because they have to do what the court says. Any ideas?

[cookian94]

The normal age at which a Family Court will accept a child's wishes is around 11.

[pink-kittens]

I think I would worry less at the moment about what age he can decide but more about the teachers threatening punishment for crying about who is collecting him! This will continue to have a negative effect on your son when both you and they should be encouraging this contact with his father

[sallybb]

What insensitive teachers. !!

[murraymints]

can't you appeal to dad's better nature..if he has one.....if he can see the child is upset surely he will want to do what is right...

[CuriousGeorge]

Your son obviously doesn't want to stay with his dad, maybe there's a reason behind it. Maybe you could have a word with the headteacher of the school. Just tell them you don't approve of your son being picked at because he doesn't want to go with someone he's obviously being forced to.