Meet Tina Swithin
In 2009, Tina Swithin found herself navigating a harrowing custody battle in the California Family Court System, representing herself (pro se). Two years into her journey and in a moment of desperation, Tina started a blog titled "One Mom’s Battle," believing she was the only person enduring such a difficult experience in the family court system. At the time, no one else was speaking openly about these challenges, so Tina decided to start the conversation.
Just six months after launching her blog, Tina’s writing caught the attention of Christie Brinkley, who had recently gone public with her own difficult custody battle involving a diagnosed, malignant narcissist. The two women connected, and "One Mom’s Battle" began to grow as more and more people reached out for support while sharing their similar experiences.
The turning point in Tina’s family court case came when she began observing court proceedings. She realized that to the court, these were just business transactions and case numbers. Through this experience, Tina recognized the importance of operating from a place of strategy rather than emotion. She dedicated herself to understanding the system, spending countless hours in courtrooms, learning about the professionals involved, and developing an intricate documentation system to build her case.
Against all odds, Tina successfully protected her daughters. She refused to accept that a 50-50 custody arrangement was her destiny or in the best interestsof her children. Her journey taught her how to approach the family court system strategically, and she has since dedicated her life to teaching others everything she learned along the way.
Today, One Mom’s Battle has grown to be a community over 250,000 people worldwide and a grassroots movement aimed at raising awareness about post separation abuse in the family court system. Through her advocacy and education efforts, Tina helps others navigate their own battles, empowering them to protect their children and build a brighter future. Tina has gone on to become one of the top advocates for Family Court reform in the United States and has helped to pass legislation in multiple states. She frequently testifies at legislative hearings across the country and is recognized as an expert on the topic of reunification programs and reunification camps.
Contact Tina Swithin:
After a decade-plus in advocacy, Tina has reached a point that it is impossible for her to respond to every message. This link is a current compilation of everything from advocacy suggestions to online courses and one-on-one support.