Legal Question in Family Law in California

Children have rights, but what this is really about is a parenting plan that everyone, including the older children buy into. It would be useful to work out a set of guidelines for communicating with the other parent which is clear but sufficiently flexible that it takes into account (a) emergencies; (b) situations where a call would be expected (i.e. a birthday or a holiday); and (c) points in time when the custodial parent needs back up vs. what the kid expects which is criticism and an escape hatch. 11 year olds are starting pre-adolescence with a vengeance so new parenting skills and strategies are needed, rather than an attorney for the child. I recommend you talk to your family law attorney and set a mediation appointment to work out a new contact plan. It would also be good to have a long talk with the 11 year old to really get a picture of what's up.