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ÐStatement€of€Evidence,€which€is€deemed€approved€and€is€the€record€for€this€appeal. =Ý ƒR„û$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€2ô Ø ò»2»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ ÓThere€is€no€transcript€of€the€proceedings€below.€€The€record€on€appeal€includes€a€Statement€of€the€Evidence,Ð ° Ðtimely€filed€by€counsel€for€Mother.€€The€Statement€of€the€Evidence€was€not€disputed€by€Father,€and€not€acted€upon€byÐ tÄ Ðthe€trial€judge.€€Consequently,€under€Rule24(f)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure,€the€Statement€of€EvidenceÐ 8ˆ Ðis€deemed€approved.€ Ý ƒR„û$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€2ô Ø ò»2»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAffidavit€of€Jennifer€Jackson.€€In€her€affidavit,€Jackson€asserts€that€Father€was€an€excessive€drinker.€€She€statesÐ ° Ðthat€she€witnessed€him€lose€his€temper€on€many€occasions€and€that€it€was€almost€routine€for€him€to€throw€a€plate€or€glassÐ tÄ Ðat€her.€€(|G2„û$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôpàò»»Ô d(|3Åä$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Åä$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK&c$"ð"ðà0 àÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€d»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€2¼° »»2»ÔÑ8€w¤XXdê»»d 8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡2î¶±î»2¼° ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†2¼° »î2î¶± #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓÔ_ÔAugust€27Ô_ÔÔ_Ô,Ô_Ô€Ô_Ô2001Ô_Ô€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡2XìœX»2¼° ÔÌò òÔ#†2¼° »X2XìœR#ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔMELONEYÔ_Ô€GAIL€CARR€(CAMPBELL)òòóó€v.€GRADY€Ô_ÔLEONIALÔ_Ô€CARR,€IIIòòóóÔ‡2XìœX»2¼° Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà @ àà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Ô_ÔHaywoodÔ_Ô€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€12031€€€€€€George€R.€Ellis,€ChancellorÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€Ô_ÔW2000Ô_Ô„02420„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„Ô_ÔR3Ô_Ô„CV€„€Filed€October€3,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€child€custody€case.€€The€parties€were€separated€in€February€2000€and€the€father€wasÐ xÈ  Ðawarded€temporary€custody€of€the€partiesðð€two€minor€children.€After€the€trial,€the€mother€was€grantedÐ d´ Ðthe€divorce,€but€custody€of€the€two€children€remained€with€the€father.€€The€father€was€required€to€payÐ P  Ðrehabilitative€alimony€on€the€condition€that€the€mother€enroll€in€EMT€classes.€€The€mother€appeals,Ð <Œ Ðasserting€that€the€trial€erred€in€denying€a€continuance€when€several€of€the€motherððs€witnesses€wereÐ (x Ðunavailable€to€testify€at€the€hearing,€in€awarding€custody€to€the€father,€in€making€the€rehabilitativeÐ d Ðalimony€conditional€on€the€mother€enrolling€in€EMT€classes€and€in€the€division€of€marital€property.€Ð P ÐWe€reverse€the€award€of€custody€to€the€father,€modify€the€order€on€rehabilitative€alimony,€modifyÐ ì< Ðthe€division€of€marital€property,€and€remand€to€the€trial€court€to€determine€issues€relating€to€childÐ Ø( Ðsupport.€€Ô#†2¼° »X2Xìœ+#ÔÔ‡2XìœX»2¼° ÔÐ Ä ÐÓØÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmed€in€Part,Ð œì ÐReversed€in€Part,€Modified€and€Remandedó óÐ ˆØ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†2¼° »à2XìœR #ÔÔ‡2XìœX.2¼° ÔHolly€Kirby€Lillard,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€whichòòóó€òòJ.Ô#†2¼° »à2Xìœx #ÔÔ‡2XìœX.2¼° Ô€Alan€E.€Ô_ÔHighersÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€andÔ#†2¼° »X2Xìœ #ÔÔ‡2XìœX»2¼° ÔòòÐ `° ÐDavid€R.€Farmer,óóÔ#†2¼° »X2X윌 #ÔÔ‡2XìœX»2¼° Ô€joined.Ð L œ ÐÌSteven€R.€Walker,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Ô_ÔMeloneyÔ_Ô€Gail€Carr.Ð $"t! ÐÌDidi€Christie,€Brownsville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Grady€Ô_ÔLeonialÔ_Ô€Carr,€III.Ð ü#L# ÐÓI ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†2¼° »X2Xìœù #ÔÔ‡2XìœX»2¼° ÔÐ Ô%$!% ÐòòóóÔ#†2¼° »X2Xìœ~#ÔÓ  ÓÔ€2XìœX»2¼° ÔÓ Óà  àThis€is€a€child€custody€case.׃6×Ý ƒ3#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€This€case€arises€from€the€divorce€of€Appellant,€Meloney€CarrÐ À&"& Ðâ â(now€Campbell)€(hereinafter€ð ðMotherðð),€and€Appellee,€Grady€Carr€(hereinafter€ð ðFatherðð).€The€partiesÐ ¬'ü"'ý Ðwere€married€in€January€1994,€€and€had€two€children,€Britney€(born€February€13,€1994)€and€GradyÐ ° Ð(born€November€12,€1996).€Ð œì Ðâ âà  àPrior€to€the€partiesðð€separation,€the€family€lived€in€Haywood€County,€Tennessee.€Father€wasÐ tÄ Ðemployed€by€a€railroad€in€a€job€that€at€times€required€him€to€be€away€from€home€overnight.€€DuringÐ `° Ðthe€marriage,€Mother€was€not€employed€outside€the€home,€but€instead€stayed€at€home€with€theÐ L œ Ðpartiesðð€children,€by€agreement€of€the€parties.€€Several€members€of€Fatherððs€extended€family€live€inÐ 8 ˆ ÐHaywood€County,€while€members€of€Motherððs€extended€family€live€in€Desoto€County,€Mississippi.€Ð $ t ÐIt€is€undisputed€that€Mother€was€the€childrenððs€primary€caregiver.Ð  ` Ðà  àOn€January€2,€2000,€Mother€moved€out€of€the€marital€home,€taking€with€her€the€partiesðð€twoÐ è 8  Ðchildren.€€Mother€was€unemployed€and€without€means€of€support;€she€and€the€children€moved€intoÐ Ô$  Ðher€sisterððs€home€in€Mississippi.€€Father€remained€in€the€marital€home€in€Haywood€County,Ð À  ÐTennessee.Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àOn€February€4,€2000,€Mother€filed€for€divorce€alleging€both€irreconcilable€differences€andÐ „Ô  Ðinappropriate€marital€conduct.€€In€the€Complaint,€Mother€alleged€that€Father€had€recently€ð ðthreatenedÐ pÀ Ðto€beat€and€kill€her,€as€well€as,€take€the€children€to€where€she€would€never€see€them€again.ðð€€MotherÐ \¬ Ðsought€a€restraining€order€against€Father,€which€was€granted.€€Father€contested€the€divorce,€deniedÐ H˜ Ðthe€allegations€of€inappropriate€marital€conduct,€and€sought€temporary€custody€of€the€children,Ð 4„ Ðasserting€that€he€could€provide€a€more€stable€environment€and€noting€that€he€had€the€support€of€hisÐ  p Ðextended€family€in€Ô_ÔHaywoodÔ_Ô€County.€€He€sought€to€have€the€temporary€restraining€order€dissolved.€Ð  \ Ѐà  àAfter€a€hearing,€the€trial€court€awarded€temporary€custody€of€the€children€to€Father,€providedÐ ä4 Ðthat€the€paternal€grandmother€move€into€the€marital€home€with€Father€and€that€the€children€not€beÐ Ð  Ðexposed€to€alcoholic€beverages.€€The€temporary€restraining€order€against€Father€remained€in€place.€Ð ¼  Ѐ€€à  àThe€divorce€action€was€heard€on€May€22,€2000.€€Mother€sought€to€present€testimony€fromÐ ”ä ÐJennifer€Jackson€to€establish€that€Father€had€had€a€lengthy€affair€with€Jackson,€and€also€to€establishÐ €Ð ÐFatherððs€temper,€propensity€to€violence€and€his€abuse€of€alcohol.׃7×Ý ƒ3#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€However,€the€day€before€theÐ l¼ Ðhearing,€Jackson€€suffered€an€accident€and€was€unavailable€to€testify.€€On€the€date€of€the€hearing,€twoÐ X ¨ Ðother€persons€Mother€intended€to€call€as€witnesses€had€not€yet€been€served€with€subpoenas.€Ð D!” ÐMotherððs€attorney€sought€a€continuance.€€The€trial€judge€called€the€attorneys€for€the€parties€into€hisÐ 0"€  Ðchambers€to€discuss€the€continuance;€the€attorneys€agreed€that€the€unavailable€witnessesððs€testimonyÐ #l! Ðwould€be€cumulative€to€the€other€testimony€offered€by€Mother€and€would€primarily€go€to€the€groundsÐ $X" Ðfor€divorce€and€not€to€custody.€€After€Father€stipulated€to€the€affair€and€to€the€grounds€for€divorce,Ð ô$D # Ðâ âthe€trial€judge€denied€the€continuance.€€Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àMother€testified€at€the€outset€of€the€hearing.€€She€testified€that€Father€worked€for€a€railroad,Ð ° Ðâ âand€that€his€work€required€him€at€times€to€be€away€overnight.€€Mother€said€that€she€had€not€workedÐ œì Ðfor€approximately€the€last€eight€years.€€She€said€that,€when€the€parties€married,€she€quit€school€atÐ ˆØ ÐFatherððs€request.€€She€had€discussed€with€Father€the€possibility€of€returning€to€school€to€become€anÐ tÄ ÐEMT.€€She€asserted€that€Father€told€her€that€she€was€supposed€to€be€a€housewife€and€take€care€of€theÐ `° Ðchildren,€that€she€could€not€make€it€in€school€because€she€was€stupid,€that€she€would€never€amountÐ L œ Ðto€anything,€and€that€she€would€only€be€a€housewife€who€depended€on€someone€else€to€take€care€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðher.€€Mother€said€that,€since€the€partiesðð€separation,€it€had€been€hard€to€find€a€job.€€She€said€that€twoÐ $ t Ðtemporary€employment€agencies€had€indicated€that€they€could€find€her€temporary€employment€atÐ  ` Ð$8.00€per€hour.Ð ü L  Ðà  àMother€described€Fatherððs€alcohol€abuse.€€She€said€that€Father€drank€almost€daily,€that€heÐ Ô$  Ðwould€begin€drinking€Wild€Turkey€bourbon€in€the€morning€and€continue€until€supper.€€On€his€daysÐ À  Ðoff,€she€said,€Father€would€be€out€with€his€friends€until€the€early€morning€hours.Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àMother€also€described€Fatherððs€physical€abuse€of€her.€€She€testified€that,€immediately€afterÐ „Ô  Ðshe€had€knee€surgery,€Father€threw€and€pushed€her€across€a€room€and€into€a€fireplace,€causing€herÐ pÀ Ðto€hit€her€head.€€On€more€than€one€occasion,€she€asserted,€Father€had€held€her€down,€sitting€on€topÐ \¬ Ðof€her,€and€poked€her€in€the€chest€hard€enough€to€leave€visible€bruises.€€She€said€that€once€FatherÐ H˜ Ðthrew€his€glass€of€bourbon€at€her€because€she€did€not€refill€his€glass€and€told€him€he€had€beenÐ 4„ Ðdrinking€too€much.€€The€glass€almost€hit€their€daughter,€Britney,€who€had€been€standing€next€toÐ  p ÐMother.Ð  \ Ðà  àMother€testified€that€Father€frequently€lost€his€temper€with€the€partiesðð€children€over€smallÐ ä4 Ðthings.€€She€said€that€if€Father€were€sleeping€and€the€childrenððs€play€woke€him,€he€would€whip€themÐ Ð  Ðwith€a€belt.€€She€asserted€that€Father€whipped€the€children€frequently,€and€excessively€hard.€€She€saidÐ ¼  Ðthat€he€had€whipped€Britney€so€hard€that€it€left€a€deep€bruise€on€her€back,€and€that€he€had€recentlyÐ ¨ø Ðwhipped€their€son€hard€enough€to€leave€visible€marks€on€his€bottom.Ð ”ä Ðà  àAt€the€time€of€trial,€Mother€lived€in€her€parentsðð€home,€with€four€bedrooms€and€two€baths.€Ð l¼ ÐMotherððs€mother,€Mrs.€Walker,€testified,€corroborating€Motherððs€testimony€that€Fatherððs€disciplineÐ X ¨ Ðhad€left€visible€bruises€on€the€partiesðð€son.€€Mrs.€Walker€said€that,€when€the€children€visited€Mother,Ð D!” Ðthey€did€not€want€to€return€to€Father.Ð 0"€  Ðà  àMotherððs€cousin,€Adam€Walker,€also€testified.€€He€said€that€he€rode€with€Mother€to€FatherððsÐ $X" Ðhome€to€pick€up€the€children.€€When€they€were€picked€up,€Walker€asserted,€the€children€wereÐ ô$D # Ðunclean€and€hungry€and€Britneyððs€hair€was€ð ða€mess.ðð€€He€said€that€the€children€were€happy€to€leaveÐ à%0!$ ÐFather€and€cried€when€they€had€to€return€to€him.€€Walker€described€an€incident€regarding€a€puppyÐ Ì&"% ÐFather€had€gotten€for€Mother€during€the€partiesðð€separation.€€In€the€childrenððs€presence,€Walker€said,Ð ¸'#& ÐFather€yelled€at€Mother€that€she€ð ðhad€better€take€the€damn€dog€or€he€would€get€rid€of€it,ðð€and€thenÐ ¤(ô#' Ðâ âpicked€the€puppy€up€by€the€scruff€of€the€neck€and€threw€it€into€Walkerððs€arms.€€Ð )à$( Ðà  àBritneyððs€kindergarten€teacher,€Tracy€Riddle,€also€testified€at€the€hearing.€€Ms.€RiddleÐ ° Ðâ âtestified€that,€when€Mother€was€the€childrenððs€primary€caregiver,€Britney€was€always€neatly€dressedÐ œì Ðin€matching€outfits,€with€her€hair€nicely€fixed€with€a€bow€in€it.€€Since€Father€had€been€awardedÐ ˆØ Ðtemporary€custody,€she€said,€Britney€was€never€dressed€as€nicely,€and€her€hair€was€unkempt€and€atÐ tÄ Ðtimes€wet.€€Ms.€Riddle€noted€that€Ô_ÔBritneyÔ_Ôððs€hair€had€recently€been€cut€very€short.Ð `° Ðà  àMs.€Riddle€also€testified€that€Britneyððs€eating€habits€had€been€affected€since€Father€obtainedÐ 8 ˆ Ðcustody,€that€Britney€now€ate€very€little€at€school.€€She€said€that€she€spoke€to€Father€about€this,Ð $ t Ðnoting€to€him€that€Mother€had€always€packed€a€lunch€for€Britney€because€she€did€not€like€the€schoolÐ  ` Ðfood.€€Ms.€Riddle€said€that€Fatherððs€response€was€that€Mother€ð ðshouldnððt€have€left;€Britney€willÐ ü L  Ðeither€adapt€to€the€school€food€or€go€without.ððÐ è 8  Ðà  àIn€Fatherððs€testimony,€he€did€not€dispute€much€of€Motherððs€allegations,€but€asserted€that€heÐ À  Ðhad€changed€since€being€awarded€temporary€custody€of€the€children.€€Father€acknowledged€that€heÐ ¬ü  Ðð ðmight€have€drunk€more€than€he€should€have,€but€wasnððt€an€alcoholicðð;€he€said€that€he€had€gone€toÐ ˜è  Ðone€Alcoholics€Anonymous€meeting€and€decided€that€he€ð ðdidnððt€have€anything€in€common€withÐ „Ô  Ðthose€people.ðð€€He€asserted€that€he€had€since€stopped€drinking€on€his€own.Ð pÀ Ðà  àFather€acknowledged€that,€during€the€partiesðð€marriage,€Mother€had€worked€hard€cleaningÐ H˜ Ðthe€house€and€caring€for€the€children,€and€had€ð ðdone€a€better€job€at€it€than€he€ever€could€have€done.ðð€Ð 4„ ÐHe€admitted€that€Mother€had€been€the€childrenððs€primary€caregiver€prior€to€the€partiesðð€separation,Ð  p Ðand€€that€she€had€taken€good€care€of€the€children€during€the€marriage.€€Father€acknowledged€that,Ð  \ Ðprior€to€the€partiesðð€separation,€he€had€not€gone€to€church€with€the€children€or€gone€to€T„ball€gamesÐ øH Ðand€the€like,€but€asserted€that€he€had€done€these€things€since€the€parties€separated.Ð ä4 Ðà  àFather€admitted€that€he€whipped€the€children,€at€times€with€a€belt.€€He€acknowledgedÐ ¼  Ðwhipping€Ô_ÔBritneyÔ_Ô€hard€enough€to€leave€a€bruise€on€her€back,€but€said€that€it€ð ðwasnððt€as€big€a€deal€asÐ ¨ø ÐMeloney€and€her€family€tried€to€make€it€out€to€be.ðð€€He€conceded€that€he€ð ðmight€haveðð€whipped€hisÐ ”ä Ðson€with€a€belt€hard€enough€to€leave€a€mark.€€Father€asserted€that€he€was€a€firm€believer€in€disciplineÐ €Ð Ðand€said€that€he€would€discipline€his€children€ð ðas€I€see€fit.ððÐ l¼ Ðà  àFather€conceded€that,€shortly€after€Mother€had€knee€surgery,€he€had€ð ðslung€his€wife€acrossÐ D!” Ðthe€room.€.€.€.ððÐ 0"€  Ðà  àFather€asserted€in€his€testimony€that€Mother€is€now€an€unfit€parent.€€Without€offeringÐ $X" Ðspecifics,׃4×Ý ƒ3#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Father€said€that€since€Mother€had€moved€in€with€her€family,€she€was€no€longer€a€goodÐ ô$D # Ðâ âmother€and€that€the€children€should€not€be€raised€around€Motherððs€family.Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àFatherððs€mother€testified€as€well.€€She€said€that€she€had€been€staying€with€Father€and€helpingÐ ° Ðâ âcare€for€the€children.€€She€described€the€children€as€happy€and€well„mannered,€except€when€MotherÐ œì Ðcame€for€visits.€€She€said€that€her€son€was€ð ða€firm€father,ðð€and€asserted€that€ð ðif€it€took€spanking€themÐ ˆØ Ðwith€a€belt,€that€was€what€had€to€be€done.ðð€€She€said€that€they€had€cut€Britneyððs€hair€very€shortÐ tÄ Ðbecause€it€was€too€hard€to€fix.€Ð `° Ðà  àAfter€the€hearing,€the€trial€court€granted€the€divorce€to€Mother€based€on€Fatherððs€stipulatedÐ 8 ˆ Ðinappropriate€marital€conduct.€€The€trial€court€ordered€that€custody€of€the€children€remain€withÐ $ t ÐFather€and€awarded€visitation€to€Mother€in€accordance€with€the€Shared€Parenting€Provisions.€Ð  ` ÐMother€was€ordered€to€pay€child€support€and€all€medical,€dental,€psychological€and€optical€expensesÐ ü L  Ðnot€covered€by€Fatherððs€insurance.€€In€addition,€Mother€was€awarded€rehabilitative€alimony€for€aÐ è 8  Ðperiod€of€twelve€months,€conditioned€on€her€enrollment€in€and€attendance€at€EMT€classes€withinÐ Ô$  Ðthree€months€of€the€trial€courtððs€order.€€The€trial€court€also€divided€the€marital€property€such€thatÐ À  ÐFather€received€the€1998€Toyota€Camry€and€the€bedroom€suite€in€the€possession€of€Mother€andÐ ¬ü  ÐMother€received€the€1987€Acura€Integra€and€the€familyððs€computer.€€From€this€order,€Mother€nowÐ ˜è  Ðappeals.€€€€€Ð „Ô  Ðà  àMother€first€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€refusing€to€continue€the€trial€because€of€herÐ \¬ Ðabsent€witnesses.€€She€maintains€that,€had€her€request€for€a€continuance€been€granted,€the€absentÐ H˜ Ðwitnesses€would€have€corroborated€her€allegations€of€Fatherððs€alcoholism€and€violence.€€EvenÐ 4„ Ðwithout€the€testimony€of€the€absent€witnesses,€Mother€asserts€that€the€evidence€still€showed€her€toÐ  p Ðbe€the€more€fit€parent€and€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€awarding€custody€to€Father.€€Mother€alsoÐ  \ Ðappeals€the€requirement€that€she€pay€all€of€the€childrenððs€medical€related€expenses€not€covered€byÐ øH ÐFatherððs€insurance.€€She€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€requiring€her€to€attend€EMT€classes€inÐ ä4 Ðorder€to€receive€rehabilitative€alimony,€and€also€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€division€of€property.€€€€Ð Ð  ÐÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔà  àWe€consider€first€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€award€custody€to€Father.€€Ô#†2XìœXX/Xw¤H#ÔA€trial€courtððsÐ ¨ø Ðfindings€of€fact€in€child€custody€cases€are€reviewed€òòde€novo€óóaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€theÐ –æ Ðcorrectness€of€those€findings.€€Ô‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€€ò òòòHass€v.€Knightonó óóó,€676€S.W.2d€554,€555Ð ‚Ò Ð(Tenn.€1984).€€However,€where,€as€in€this€case,€the€trial€court€fails€to€make€specific€findings€of€facts,Ð pÀ Ðthis€Court€must€make€an€independent€review€of€the€record.€€òòò òCrabtree€v.€Crabtreeó óóó,€16€S.W.3d€356,Ð Z ª Ð360€(Tenn.€2000).€Ô#†2XìœXX/Xw¤aI#ÔÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔÐ D!” Ðà  àIn€child€custody€cases,€the€welfare€and€best€interest€of€the€child€are€paramount.€€ò òòòSeeóóó óÐ #h! Ðò òòòWhitaker€v.€Whitakeró óóó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€App.€1997);€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106Ð $R" Ð(1996).€€The€determination€of€the€childððs€best€interest€must€turn€on€the€particular€facts€of€each€case.Ð ì$< # Ðò òòòSeeóóó ó€ò òòòTaylor€v.€Tayloró óóó,€849€S.W.2d€319,€326€(Tenn.€1993);òòò ò€In€re€Parsonsó óóó,€914€S.W.2d€889,€893Ð Ö%&!$ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€In€òòò òBah€v.€Bahó óóó,€668€S.W.2d€663€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1983),€the€Court€adoptedÐ À&"% Ðthe€doctrine€of€comparative€fitness€as€a€common€sense€approach€to€determine€the€childððs€bestÐ ª'ú"& Ðinterest.€€In€making€a€custody€decision,€the€court€must€consider€the€factors€set€forth€in€TennesseeÐ ”(ä#' ÐCode€AnnotatedÔ#†2XìœXX/Xw¤K#ÔòòóóÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔ€ðð€36„6„106,€including€the€importance€of€continuity€in€the€childððs€life,€the€degree€toÐ ~)Î$( Ðwhich€a€parent€has€been€the€primary€Ô_ÔcaregiverÔ_Ô,Ô#†2XìœXX/Xw¤÷N#ÔÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔ€the€stability€of€each€parentððs€family€unit,€evidenceÐ h*¸%) Ðâ âof€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child€or€the€other€parent,€and€each€parentððs€past€performanceÐ R+¢&* Ðof€parenting€responsibilities.€€òòò òSeeó óóó€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„6„106(a)(2)„(4),€(8)€and€(10)Ð ° Ð(Supp.€2000).€ò òÐ šê Ðâ â€ó ó€ò òà  àó óAny€inquiry€into€the€comparative€fitness€of€parents€is€factually€driven€and€turns€upon€aÐ n¾ Ðnumber€of€considerations,€including€the€credibility€and€demeanor€of€the€parties.€€ò òòòÔ_ÔGaskillÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔGaskillÔ_Ôó óóó,Ð Zª Ð936€S.W.2d€626,€631€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€Having€seen€and€heard€the€actual€testimony,€the€trialÐ D ” Ðcourt€is€in€the€best€position€to€evaluate€the€partiesðð€honesty€and,€thus,€the€trial€court€is€vested€withÐ . ~ Ðbroad€€discretion€in€awarding€custody.€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€631.€€However,€the€determination€of€the€trial€court€mustÐ  h Ðstill€be€based€on€the€proof€in€the€record€and€upon€the€appropriate€application€of€the€law.€€ò òòòId.ó óóóÔ#†2XìœXX/Xw¤øO#ÔÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔÐ  R ÐÔ#†2XìœXX/Xw¤òT#Ôà  àReviewing€the€facts€in€this€case,€it€is€difficult€to€see€how€the€evidence€preponderates€in€favorÐ Ö &  Ðof€the€award€of€custody€of€Father,€even€considering€the€deference€accorded€to€the€trial€court€in€aÐ Â  Ðcustody€decision.€€In€the€record€before€this€Court,€Motherððs€testimony€is€essentially€unrefuted,Ð ®þ  Ðregarding€Fatherððs€history€of€alcohol€abuse,€his€physical€verbal€and€emotional€abuse€of€Mother,€andÐ šê  Ðhis€hot€temper€and€excessive€discipline,€bordering€on€physical€abuse,€of€the€partiesðð€children.€€It€isÐ †Ö  Ðundisputed€that€Mother€was€the€childrenððs€primary€caregiver€prior€to€the€temporary€award€of€custodyÐ r  Ðto€Father,€and€that€Mother€did€a€good€job€caring€for€the€children.€€Father€admits€he€was€not€deeplyÐ ^® Ðinvolved€in€the€care€of€the€partiesðð€children€prior€to€the€separation.€€The€importance€of€continuity€ofÐ Jš Ðcare€for€children€in€divorce€has€been€repeatedly€emphasized€by€this€Court.€ò òòòSee€Ô_ÔBarnhillÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔBarnhillÔ_Ôó óóó,Ð 6† Ð826€S.W.2d€443,€453€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991).€€òòóóWhile€acknowledging€his€past€history€of€alcohol€abuseÐ "r Ðand€physical€and€verbal€abuse€of€Mother,€Father€maintains€that€he€is€now€a€changed€man,€ceasingÐ ^ Ðconsumption€of€alcohol€with€no€counseling€or€professional€help€and€becoming€a€sensitive€andÐ úJ Ðinvolved€parent,€taking€the€children€to€church,€sports€and€similar€activities.€€Yet€he€cavalierlyÐ æ6 Ðdismisses€his€excessive€discipline€of€the€children,€whipping€them€with€a€belt€hard€enough€to€leaveÐ Ò" Ðbruises,€maintaining€that€he€will€discipline€the€partiesðð€children€ð ðas€I€see€fit.ðð€€When€BritneyððsÐ ¾ Ðteacher€told€Father€that€Britney€ate€very€little€at€school,€suggesting€that€he€pack€her€a€lunch€as€MotherÐ ªú Ðalways€had,€Father€responded€in€a€manner€devoid€of€sensitivity€to€the€childððs€needs,€asserting€thatÐ –æ ÐBritney€could€either€adapt€to€school€food€or€go€without.Ð ‚Ò Ðà  àFather€asserts€that€he€provides€the€more€stable€environment,€noting€that€Mother€lives€in€herÐ Zª Ðparentsðð€home€while€Father€continues€to€reside€in€the€marital€home.€€However,€this€fact€must€beÐ F – Ðviewed€in€overall€context.€€From€the€record€in€this€case,€Mother€left€the€marital€home€with€theÐ 2!‚ Ðchildren€after€Fatherððs€stipulated€adultery€and€against€a€backdrop€of€Fatherððs€admitted€alcohol€abuseÐ "n  Ðand€physical€abuse€of€Mother.€€It€is€undisputed€that€Mother€was€unemployed€and€without€job€skillsÐ  #Z! Ðor€financial€support,€by€virtue€of€the€partiesðð€agreement€that€she€leave€school€to€care€for€the€partiesððÐ ö#F" Ðhome€and€children.€€Indeed,€Motherððs€testimony€is€unrefuted€that€Father€belittled€and€demeanedÐ â$2 # ÐMother€when€she€broached€the€idea€of€obtaining€job€training,€calling€her€stupid€and€telling€her€sheÐ Î%!$ Ðwould€always€be€a€dependent€housewife.€€The€award€of€temporary€custody€to€Father€was€conditionedÐ º& "% Ðon€the€paternal€grandmother€moving€in€with€Father€and€the€children.€€Mother€now€resides€in€herÐ ¦'ö"& Ðparentsðð€home,€with€ample€space€and€the€support€of€her€extended€family,€so€both€parents€now€resideÐ ’(â#' Ðin€a€suitable€home€with€family€support.Ð ~)Î$( Ðà  àConsidering€all€of€these€circumstances,€including€the€fact€that€Mother€had€been€the€childrenððsÐ V+¦&* Ðprimary€caregiver€prior€to€the€award€of€temporary€custody,€the€importance€of€continuity€in€theÐ B,’'+ Ðchildrenððs€lives,€Fatherððs€lack€of€involvement€in€the€childrenððs€care€prior€to€the€award€of€temporaryÐ ° Ðcustody,€Fatherððs€history€of€alcohol€abuse,€Fatherððs€history€of€physical€and€verbal€abuse€of€Mother,Ð œì ÐFatherððs€excessive€discipline€of€the€children€and€insensitivity€to€their€needs,€and€the€fact€that€bothÐ ˆØ Ðparents€live€in€a€suitable€home€with€adequate€support€from€extended€family,€we€must€reverse€theÐ tÄ Ðdecision€of€the€trial€court.€€Mother€is€hereby€deemed€the€primary€residential€parent,€and€the€causeÐ `° Ðmust€be€remanded€to€the€trial€court€to€determine€an€appropriate€visitation€schedule€for€Father.€Ð L œ ÐObviously,€the€award€of€child€support€to€Father€must€also€be€reversed.€€The€record€does€not€includeÐ 8 ˆ ÐFatherððs€income€level,€so€the€cause€must€also€be€remanded€for€an€appropriate€award€of€child€supportÐ $ t Ðto€Mother.€€Father€is€ordered€to€maintain€health€insurance€on€the€partiesðð€children€and€is€ordered€toÐ  ` Ðpay€all€non„covered€medical,€dental,€psychological€and€optical€expenses€of€the€children.€€In€light€ofÐ ü L  Ðthis€holding,€the€issue€on€appeal€regarding€the€trial€courtððs€refusal€to€continue€the€trial€isÐ è 8  Ðpretermitted.€€Ô‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔÐ Ô$  Ðà  àMother€also€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€condition€rehabilitative€alimony€on€herÐ ¬ü  Ðenrollment€in€EMT€classes€within€three€months€of€the€trial€courtððs€order.€€Ô#†2XìœXX/Xw¤±i#ÔMother€asserts€that€she€noÐ –æ  Ðlonger€intends€to€go€to€EMT€school€and,€thus,€the€condition€on€rehabilitative€alimony€is€overlyÐ „Ô  ÐrestrictiveÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔ.€€The€trial€court,€of€course,€is€afforded€wide€discretion€concerning€an€award€of€alimony.Ð pÀ Ðò òòòHanover€v.€Hanoveró óóó,€775€S.W.2d€612,€617€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989)Ô#†2XìœXX/Xw¤k#ÔÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔ.€€This€includes€the€discretion€toÐ ^® Ðmake€alimony€subject€to€conditions€imposed€by€the€court€or€agreed€upon€by€the€parties.€€ò òòòIsbell€v.Ð H˜ ÐIsbellóóó ó,€816€S.W.2d€735,€739€(Tenn.€1991).€€However,€where€the€trial€court€fails€to€make€specificÐ 2‚ Ðfindings€of€fact€considered€in€reaching€its€decision,€independent€review€is€required.€ò òòòCrabtree€v.Ð l ÐCrabtreeó óóó,€16€S.W.3d€356,€360€(Tenn.€2000).€Ð V Ðà  àThe€purpose€of€rehabilitative€alimony€is€to€rehabilitate€an€economically€disadvantagedÐ Ú* Ðspouse.€€òòÔ#†2XìœXà/Xw¤{l#ÔóóÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔTenn.€Code€Ann.Ô#†2XìœXX/Xw¤3o#ÔÔ‡1XìœXX2XìœÔððÔ#†2XìœXX1X위o#ÔÔ‡/Xw¤XX2XìœÔ€36„5„101(d)(1)€(Supp.€2000).€€It€is€undisputed€that€Mother€was€in€anÐ Ä Ðeconomically€disadvantaged€position.€€Ô#†2XìœXX/Xw¤Êo#ÔIn€the€record€before€this€Court,€it€is€clear€that€the€decision€forÐ ² ÐMother€to€leave€school,€refrain€from€seeking€employment,€and€care€for€the€partiesðð€home€andÐ  ð Ðchildren€was€with€Fatherððs€agreement,€indeed,€at€his€insistence.€€The€testimony€regarding€MotherÐ ŒÜ Ðenrolling€in€EMT€classes€was€not€in€the€context€of€her€plans€for€rehabilitation.€€Rather,€it€was€in€theÐ xÈ Ðcontext€of€her€testimony€that,€during€the€partiesðð€marriage,€when€Mother€broached€the€topic€ofÐ d´ Ðobtaining€job€training€such€as€enrolling€in€EMT€classes,€Father€would€demean€and€humiliate€her,€andÐ P   Ðinsist€that€she€remain€at€home.€€Under€the€circumstances€of€this€case,€in€which€Mother€is€clearly€inÐ