All the best soap operas and dramatic TV shows have at least one storyline that dives into a custody battle over a child. In those storylines, something happens to the parents, and those who are left behind – whether they are other family members, a romantic partner, or simply close friends are left to fight over who gets to raise the child they left behind.

Even though the first instinct is to have the child go to the closest family member, it’s not necessarily the best option for the kid. More often than not, a relative is not actually someone the kid knows and trusts, and it’s not an easy transition to have them become the primary guardian. Other times, a kid’s wish is to stay as close to the family, even while there is a step-parent or romantic partner who is ready to step up and take care of them.

So, what is the best option for a child?

Setting aside the soapy dramatics, what’s best for a child is not something that can be easily answered, and the story below is a perfect proof of that.