If both parents always loved their children more than they hated their ex there wouldn't be so many people complaining about how unfair the courts are.
The courts are a lot more fair than many men think. On top of that, contrary to popular belief, single mothers would prefer to have the father of their child/children involved in the lives of the children and have positive interactions as parents.
The problem is that whoever was left in the break up of a relationship involving children usually ends up hating the other parent, wanting revenge and gets hung up on their own feelings, thereby forgetting about what is best for their child.
Now, I was married for 10 years to a man who treated me horribly. He gave me very good reason to leave him. I tried to make it work but he wasn't willing or able to do his part. I left. Our children were very young, their father was an alcoholic who behaved irresponsibly. Yes, I took our children when I left because I was better suited to care for them. Despite the fact that this man was physically violent and an alcoholic, I STILL did my best to include him in the lives of our children as much as possible. I didn't hate him for his behavior towards me or try to keep the kids from him or turn them against him. Of course, he still swears up and down that I did and do that. He's wrong.
Because he could not let go of his bitterness towards me, everytime he would call to talk to the kids or pick them up he would start a fight with me or trash talk about me to our children. Eventually, it got old and I just got sick of watching my children be hurt by his behavior. Discussing things with this man has always been impossible. He isn't capable of letting go of that bitterness. As a result of his inability to love his kids more than he hates me, the judge refused to grant his request for custody, even joint custody. He walked into court with a lousy attitude. He was rude, demanding and behaved like an idiot. This has been ongoing for over 10 years. Our children are now 19, 17 and 15. They all hate their father and refuse to talk to or see him. He keeps blaming it on me when it's genuinely the kids...they're sick of hearing him complain about me when they have seen with their own eyes that he's being irrational and unfair in his accusations. He kept filing motions in court and the kids got their own lawyer appointed to them. They told the lawyer they want no contact at all and why. The judge granted my children's request. Their father doesn't even have joint legal custody anymore and the kids decide the level of contact they have with him, if any. They don't want any contact at all. He brought it all on himself.
I also have a 5 year old with another man I am not with. He dealt with things like an adult and has been absolutely wonderful to deal with compared to the ex. I insisted on joint custody to keep his child support low and if I ever need anything for our daughter and can't provide it, I just call him and he'll make sure she gets what she needs. He doesn't use our little girl to harass try to hurt me like my ex does. He's quite happy with the court results...because he loves his daughter and knows that I love her too and that we have a responsibility to do what's best for her.
Obviously the problem with my ex husband isn't with me because I have no problems at all with my 5 year old's father. It's a shame it couldn't be the same way with my ex husband, because my kids have endured so much pain from his bad behavior and bitterness towards me.
So, the message here is this...
Love your child more than you hate your ex and you'll have a much more positive experience in family court than you will if you are bitter and want to hurt your ex. Hurting your ex only hurts your child, because the child needs BOTH parents and loves BOTH parents. Anyone who wants to hurt the mother or father of their child does NOT love their child. period.