Chapter 18 - EXHIBIT 18C • SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS OF PARENTS, CHILDREN, AND COLLATERALS

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

EXHIBIT 18C • SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS OF PARENTS, CHILDREN, AND COLLATERALS

SAMPLE INTERVIEW OF PARENTS, CHILDREN, AND COLLATERALS

PARENT ORAL INTERVIEW (POI) [Select questions appropriate to the case]

MAJOR TOPICS

I. Historical Background of the Marriage/Family's Chronology

1. How did you and [the other party] first meet? What attracted you to her/him?

2. Tell me about the stages of your relationship/marriage. What were the defining events when things seemed to change?

3. Tell me about how the two of you decided to have [each] child.

II. Ideals/Role Models/Philosophy

4. What do you enjoy about being a parent?

5. What don't you like about being a parent?

6. If you could mention anyone, alive or not, someone real or fictional, who would you say is the ideal parent? Why?

7. If you could mention anyone, alive or not, real or fictional, who would you say is the ideal child? Why?

8. What positive role model do you want your child[ren] to grow up to be like? Why? [Or, what positive influences do you want your children to embrace?]

9. What negative role model do you NOT want your child[ren] to grow up to be like? Why not? [Or, what negative influences do you want your children to resist?]

10. Where, or how, did you learn to be a parent? What lessons have you later reconsidered?

11. If you could change one thing about yourself to be a better parent to your child[ren], what would that be? Why? What do you think keeps you from changing that?

12. Whom do you lean on for support when things don't go well in your life?

III. Developmental Needs Projection of Each Child: Current/Future

13. Describe [each] child of yours for me. [Or, since the Court normally does not have the chance to meet the children, how would describe them to somebody who hadn't met them?]

14. What do you think is the most important lesson you can teach your child[ren]?

15. If you could change one thing about [each] child's approach to life or daily routine, what would that be?

16. Tell me about [each] child's general health since their birth. Were they ever in the hospital? What happened?

17. Imagine five years from now, when your child[ren] is [current age +5], and you are [current age +5]. What do you think daily life is going to be like with [each] child? What do you think [each] child needs in order to be prepared for life in [current year +5]?

18. What three things does [each] child enjoy doing most now? Why?

19. How do you monitor what your child[ren] see on TV? What are

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