3 Tips for How to Tell Your Children You’re Getting Divorced
Getting divorced isn’t easy especially when you have kids. These three tips can help you deliver the tough news about your divorce in the best possible way to your children. By Carolyn Ellis "Mom and dad are getting divorced" is the conversation every parent dreads telling their children. There’s no easy way to share the news with your kids that life as they have known it up until now will suddenly become very different. When you are absolutely certain that your marriage is not going to work, it’s time to let your children know you're getting divorced so you can frame the decisi...
Parenting Mistake: Turning Children into Messengers and Spies
Sometimes parents use their children to deliver messages about changes in visitation or to get information about what’s happening with an ex-spouse. This unfortunate parenting practice sets your children up to be in the cross-fire between their parents. By Carolyn Ellis Too often, children get caught in the crossfire of the divorce game their parents play. It’s a big parenting mistake to put your child in the role of messenger for communications that should take place between you and your ex. “Initially, I did ask my nine-year-old son to convey information to his father for me,â...
The Truth Parents Need to Know About Divorce and Children
Divorcing parents always pledge to keep the welfare of their children in mind, but this lawyer/mediator/coach continually sees parents break that promise in the divorce process. Here’s the real truth about divorce and children and how a parent’s behavior and choices can impact their children. By M. Marcy Jones As a lawyer, mediator and coach, I cannot emphasize strongly enough how important it is for the well-being of your children that you and your spouse find ways to deal with your conflict without becoming enmeshed in a legal battle during the divorce process. The truth about divo...
Post-Divorce Dating Safety Rules
Dating after divorce can feel like a big maze, with all kinds of ways to meet the next Mr. or Ms. Right. However, it’s important to keep dating safety rules in mind as you get out there and meet new people. By Sabrina Touchino Dating after divorce in the internet age can be an exciting way to meet someone new, but it’s important to be safe. Caution is the keyword here. It doesn't matter how or where you've met someone -- whether it was through the personals, online, at a bar, or even though friends -- don't ignore dating safety by rushing into too much intimacy too fast. Don't be too...
Where To Find Your New Love After Divorce
There's no "surefire" way to meet Mr. or Ms. Right, but opening yourself up to different scenes and a variety of people will certainly increase your chances of success. Here are some tips on broadening your soulmate search and finding love after divorce. By Jeffrey Cottrill Dating can seem like a frightening prospect after you've been divorced. Chances are that you have the disadvantage of not having been in the dating scene for many years -- and the rules and customs are constantly changing. Our fast-paced, busy work world today leaves us with little time to search seriously when dating...
How to Master the Art of Flirting
Dating after divorce can feel awkward, especially if you haven’t practiced your flirtation and conversational skills with potential romantic partners in a while. Here are the essentials to master the art of flirting. By Diana Shepherd Now that you're emotionally ready to meet your soulmate, you have to find him/her. Here's a hint: he/she probably isn't sitting on your sofa waiting to watch Grey’s Anatomy with you. So you're going to have to leave your comfort zone and put yourself out there if you want to get back into the world of dating. This doesn't mean as a single mom or a di...
How to Tell If You’re Ready to Date Again
Getting ready for that all-important first date post-divorce is a big milestone in your new life. Before you get out there and risk further injury to your heart, here are some ways to tell if you’re ready to date again after divorce. By Diana Shepherd Before you even consider dating after divorce, you need to make sure you're past the "walking wounded" stage following your relationship breakdown. Here are some clues to let you know you've arrived: the thought of your ex no longer generates intense feelings of anger, hatred, or grief; you no longer feel the need to talk about hi...
The Difference between Legal and Physical Custody
Custody can be a very emotional issue for parents. Figuring out the best custody arrangements for your children and family is best served when you don’t let the legal terms confuse you. Demystify the difference between legal and physical custody so you can set up the best parenting schedule that works for your family. By M. Marcy Jones Sometimes divorcing parents get hung up on the legal terminology surrounding child custody without really understanding it. This lack of understanding can make it harder to reach a lasting and respectful agreement. The most important distinction is be...
Questions to Ask before Creating Your Parenting Plan
A well-crafted parenting plan is a necessity for successful co-parenting after divorce. Knowing the answers to these key questions can help you create a parenting plan that will serve your children now and in the future. By Donald A. Gordon Ph.D. and Jack Arbuthnot Ph.D. There are several important issues you should think about as you design your parenting plan. Guiding Questions for Parenting Plans What goals for your children do you both share? How will you continue to be effective parents in separate households? Do you only want to solve your legal matters, or also your fam...
Coping with Divorce: Simple Self-Care Tips for Stress
Divorce is a huge source of stress that if left unchecked can put you at risk of health problems. Self-care is a method of coping with divorce that helps you get a handle on stress that both you and your children will appreciate. By Carolyn Ellis Divorce is a major cause of stress. Becoming divorced rips through the entire fabric of your life. It affects you not only emotionally, but financially, socially, and in some cases, professionally and geographically as well. Coping with divorce by learning how to take care of yourself in the midst of stress is important not just for yourself, bu...
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