On August 21, 1979, the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County entered an order granting custody of appellant’s two daughters to their mother. This appeal followed:
*53 I
Brenda and Jоn were married in 1969 and had two children, Heather, born in 1970, and Holly, born in 1972. Serious marital difficulties arose and the parties separated in July 1976. Brenda left the home and the children remained with the father. After her departure, Brenda remained in the area to work. In the late fall of 1976, she was involved in a severe automobile accident which resulted in a month of hospitalization. Brenda suffered emotional problems during this period and at one time attempted suicide. Her health improved, however, and she was able to return to work in March 1977. The parties were divorced in January 1978. In September 1978, Brenda married Bryan K. On December 1, 1978, Brenda took the children and refused to return them. The police intervened on December 5, 1978, and returned the children to Jon W. He commenced custody proceedings a few days thеreafter. 1
After the separation, Jon W. continued in his position as a systems engineer for Westinghouse Corporation. Heather and Holly remained with their father in thе family home. Their home was located on a cul-de-sac, situated in a family neighborhood, and the girls had many friends close by. Heather and Holly attended a local public school. Although baptized in the Catholic faith, the girls became Methodists and attended church with their father.
II
It is well settled that the primary concern in child сustody cases is the best interests of the child, including his
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physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual well-being.
Commonwealth ex rel. Cutler v. Cutler,
An appellate court’s scоpe of review is very broad in child custody cases.
Commonwealth ex rel. Holschuh v. Holland-Moritz,
Ill
We find that the lower court’s custody award in the instant case is not supported by the record. The award of Heather and Holly to their mother was basеd on the following two premises: (1) that the girls would be in a family setting by living with their mother and her husband which was “preferable to being with strangers as baby-sitters despite their best intentions” (Lower ct. op. 5); and (2) that Brenda possessed an “innate ability and knowledge superior to that of the father” on personal matters such as dress, *55 underclothing, hair style and body grooming. (Lower ct. op. 5).
In rejecting the first premise, we find that Heather and Holly were involved in stable family environment when they lived with their father. The fact that a parent must work may not deprive him of custody if he makes suitable arrangements for his children’s care in his absence.
Hooks v. Ellerbe,
We reject the second premise because there is no evidence in the record concerning Brenda’s innate ability or superior knowledge rеgarding personal matters. In merely presuming the mother to be superior to the father, we find that the lower court relied on the tenders years doctrine. As the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania stated in
Commonwealth ex rel. Spriggs v. Carson,
Courts should be wary of deciding matters as sensitive as questions of custody by the invocation of “presumptions”. Instead, we believe that оur courts should inquire into the circumstances and relationships of all the parties involved and reach a determination based solely upon the facts of thе case then before the Court.
This court cannot accept a finding which has no competent evidence to support it.
Tomlinson v. Tomlinson, supra.
Since we find the record to be sufficiently complete, we have reviewed the evidence and will enter an order based on the merits.
Pamela J. K. v. Roger D. J.,
*56 The testimony of those intimately involved in Heather and Holly’s daily routine characterized the girls as happy, healthy and well cared for. Heather’s teacher stated that she did well in school and was well adjusted. Shе further indicated that Jon W. was involved in school activities and that he always attended parent-teacher conferences. A neighbor whose daughter played with the girls remarked that they were well-behaved and that Jon W. was a very mature, stable parent. The neighbor who cared for Heather and Holly after school testified that she was close to the girls and that they were happy and secure. In fact, she stated that the children appeared to be better dressed аnd happier than whe¡n their parents lived together. This sentiment was echoed by their babysitter of four years. The babysitter also remarked that Jon W. was a good housekeeper and cook.
We are also influenced by the fact that the father was the primary parental figure for over two and one-half years. This cоurt has often emphasized a child’s need for an established parental figure and a known physical environment.
Haraschak v. Haraschak,
After a careful and thorough review of the record, we find that the best interest of Heаther and Holly will be served by awarding custody to their father. There is no evidence in the record which would convince this court to exchange a stable, healthy situation for one that is uncertain. See Commonwealth ex rel. Cutler v. Cutler, supra.
We feel constrained to note with regret the time delay occasioned by the extreme volume of cases pеnding before The Superior Court of Pennsylvania, particularly as such volume impacts upon custody cases such as this. From the time of their birth in 1970 and 1972, Heather and Holly livеd first with both parents and then, following separation in *57 July 1976, with their father until the Order of the lower court dated August 21, 1979, granting custody of the two girls to the mother. Now, in June of 1980 (following oral argument only two months ago), we return custody to the father. These are difficult cases, perhaps the most difficult of any that a judge decides.
As the lower court said in thе opening sentence of his opinion dated August 21, 1979, granting custody to the mother:
“Making a determination of custody of the two minor children in the within proceeding has beеn most taxing to the court.”
The order of the lower court is reversed and custody of Heather and Holly is awarded to Jon W., appellant, subject, however, to thе following provisions:
1. The mother shall have liberal visitation rights to be arranged on an amicable basis or failing an amicable agreement by the parties, then by Order of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County following a hearing on the subject of visitation.
2. Nothing in this order shall preclude such future proceedings in the lower court or another court having jurisdiction of the parties as Heather and Holly’s best interests may require.
Notes
. After the parties’ separation, the children resided with Jon W. and Brеnda had visitation rights. On October 13, 1977, this arrangement was formalized by a provision in a separation agreement which provided that possession of the children should reside with the father. Although the parties dispute the meaning of this provision, we need not consider the arguments advanced by the parties since we base no pаrt of our decision on the separation agreement. See
Commonwealth ex rel. Veihdeffer v. Veihdeffer,