Child support can't be tied to visitation

This is in response to the letter from Bill Fischer, Elk Grove Village, concerning child visitation and support payments, published May 11 in the Daily Herald.

His letter pains me greatly.

His proposition ignores the impact of denied visitation on the child.

I was 10 years old when that situation arose between my parents. There was Dad only a few feet away, and I couldn't see him until he immediately coughed up cash money for support payment. How that hurt!

I didn't care about their problem. As a child, I just wanted them to quit fighting so I could have both of them. It didn't happen that way.

I was just a piece of merchandise to be bought and paid for, a pawn in their battle. I can't wish that kind of pain on any child regardless of the circumstances.

I have to make a plea for other solutions to the question of financial support apart from visitation. We can't make kids pay the awful price.

Bob Meger

Streamwood