Olivia Bates Kramer vs. Kramer Post 1

Ted could have done many things differently to be a better father to Billy and husband to Joanna. The most important aspect of those relationships that he failed to fulfill was stability. Though he always came home at night, he was never truly there and his time with the family was scarce. He could have tried to give more time to his family by leaving work early instead of getting drinks with his boss and paying more attention to the both of them in general. Ted could have had the option to help out around the house, taking more responsibility for his family and his home. He also needed to learn to listen to those around him. Ted could've been a lot closer to his son if he had the patience to sit with him and talk as well as listen, which he learned later on. He also could have avoided Joanna leaving him if he had listened to her and her worries from the start and given her a chance to feel important in his life. By emotionally closing off his family, Ted backed himself into a corner and when Joanna left, he had no idea what to do. He had no clue what to do with Billy, how to cope with the loss of his wife, or take care of himself and his home. Though he struggled for quite some time, Ted Kramer did deserve custody of his six-year-old son because he took responsibility for the aspects of his life that he hadn't before and truly blossomed into a great father. He also stepped up when Joanna ran away and never once abandoned Billy like she had. Ted and Billy became a team, working together to get things done like breakfast and setting the table, even going to school. The audience could see how much they loved to be with each other and just simply loved each other. As time went on, Ted became emotionally, physcially, and socially invested in his family making him well deserving of the responsibilty of the full custody of his son Billy.