Sherri Shepherd working too much to care for kids

It’s not a sitcom or daytime drama, but the drama unfolding for television personality Sherri Shepherd is heating up. According to reports, her estranged husband has been battling it out with the View co-host arguing he should be given full custody of their unborn child because Shepherd is refusing to cut her work hours after the birth of her child. According to reports, Lamar Sally and Sherri Shepherd have not only separated, but Sally is requesting full custody of the child’s couple with only reasonable visitation given to Shepherd after the birth.

Years ago this type of arrangement would have been laughable, but in the last several decades fathers have gathered traction in the courts and have won more access to their children. No longer do courts simply assume the mother should be given full custody.  Courts now consider a host of other factors into the child custody decision and focus on what the courts decide “is in the best interest of the child.”

Does Sherri Shepherd have a point?

At question in this specific divorce case is whether or not Sherri Shepherd is working too much to adequately care for a new born baby. Shepherd has admitted that being a working parent is difficult and her other child has already questioned her about why she has to work.

“Why do you have to go to work, why do you have to… and you are trying to explain to them mommy is trying to pay the bills. Mommy’s trying to take care of you,” Shepherd said during The View’s discussion about being a working parent.

But joining the battle is Shepherd’s former husband Jeff Tarpley who is also battling Shepherd for full custody of their nine-year-old son Jeffrey Jr. According to documents filed last April, Tarpley has complained that Shepherd is not only busy hosting the View, but she also works touring as a comedienne. Tarpley alleges in his court papers that she is not really caring for their son but rather he ends up staying and being cared for by “unskilled nannies.” Tarply believes he is better suited to care for Jeffrey and can provide him with a more loving environment and better meet his basic educational needs.

Tarplay and Shepherd have been divorced since 2011. There is a court hearing scheduled later this summer to address Tarplay’s concerns.

Friends of Sherri Shepherd have been quick to come to her defense arguing that she is simply trying to work and care for her children. One friend noted that she believed that these two men have simply teamed up together to “bury Sherri.”

How much is too much work?

This case brings up an interesting question. How much should a mother or father work and when does absenteeism turn into neglect? I’m guessing Sherri Shepherd lives better than 99% of families across the nation. Without knowing about her particular situation we can’t say for sure whether or not she is working too much, but my guess is the children would be okay with a little less luxury and a little more time with their mother.

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