Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner. Going through a divorce or being a single, divorced or separated parent can make life a little bit trickier this season, especially if that’s not what you’re used to. Author Karen Stewart recently shared these tips we found helpful and we wanted to share them with you. Plan now. It’s...

Sounds like a crazy suggestion, right? Many of us experience extreme feelings of loathing, distrust or disgust for our ex-spouse after a bitter divorce or separation. Life after divorce does not need to be that way, but they sometimes are, unfortunately. The mere thought of someone telling you to “be friends” with your ex can rattle the nerves of...

A guest post from Dr. Kristine Turner: ……… What is a “parenting plan” during a divorce? A parenting plan contains the decisions about who is going to have the children on which dates and at what time. Children need to know when they will get to see their Mom and when they will get to spend time with Dad. In addition, parents will...

January is a common month for divorce. The new year leads people to start taking control of their life and their happiness, and that results in divorce for many couples. Young adults that split often run home to Mom and Dad for a period of time. It’s actually estimated that a third of homeowners are welcoming their adult children back into their home....

Sibling rivalry is a subject that many parents aren’t well equipped to handle. It’s also a subject that evokes self-doubt, public embarrassment and extreme criticism. Parents ask me, “Why do my kid’s always fight?” “What am I doing wrong?” “Does this mean I’m a bad parent?” “If I let them fight,...

“You’re out!!! No I’m not, I touched the base. That doesn’t matter because you have to touch me!!!” We’ve all heard these arguments from our children at youth sports events and unfortunately, we’ve also heard one like this from an irate parent yelling at the umpire from the sidelines, “He’s out!!!”...

Many parents use the words “discipline” and “punishment” interchangeably.  The dictionary informs us that discipline is from the word “disciple” which means “a student” while punishment has to do with “pain”, “harm” and “suffering.” Taking a closer look at these two words allows parents to make a choice as to what is in the best...

It was December 19th, I had just finished teaching the last class of Positive Practical Parenting of the year. Before leaving the Center I quickly glanced through the written comments on the parents’ satisfaction survey. One parent wrote: “Thank you for opening my eyes to the difference between punishment and discipline. The simple idea of treating...

Remember in the Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy began her stroll down the Yellow Brick Road? Eventually she came upon a fork in the road. There she stood, unable to determine which way to go until the voice of the Scarecrow came from behind. With arms folded one over the other and fingers pointing out in opposite directions, he said, “some folks go that way...

As most divorced adults eventually resume a social life, dating enters the picture.  It is probably one of the more difficult things a child must become accustomed to. It’s not easy on you, either! A child’s usual reaction to Mom or Dad’s first date is a negative one. Some divorced parents who’ve weathered the storms say. “Make...

Cooperative parenting is a process whereby parents living apart agree to act jointly in the best interests of their children, by establishing two homes for them and by consulting with one another concerning the needs of the children and their own needs as co-parents. The following is a co-parenting agreement that you may wish to agree to: CO-Parenting...

Child custody disputes have become increasingly common. As the frequency of child custody disputes has increased, so has the animosity and antagonism parents bring to these conflicts. Often children are caught in the middle of parental disputes and are enlisted by one parent as an ally against the other parent in a campaign of systematic denigration and...

Here is a quick reference guide of DO’S and DON’T’S for Helping Your Children Through Your Divorce: DO Do encourage your children to talk openly about their feelings Do emphasize that the divorce was not their fault Do understand that your children’s behavior may reflect feelings of anger, fear, confusion, sadness and loss. Validate their feelings,...

1. Go to the mall and have a photo of yourself put on a pillow case and then send it to your child. If you have a favorite cologne you might want to put a little bit on the pillowcase to remind your child of you. 2. Purchase or make stickers of your child’s name and stick them over the names of a character in one of their favorite books. You can also get...

1. Go to the mall and have a photo of yourself put on a pillow case and then send it to your child. If you have a favorite cologne you might want to put a little bit on the pillowcase to remind your child of you. 2. Purchase or make stickers of your child’s name and stick them over the names of a character in one of their favorite books. You can also get...

Just last night I said to my 5-year-old son, “Hey buddy we have to leave”. Within seconds he started screaming at the top of his lungs, “No I don’t want to go”. Then he slammed down his Nintendo controller and started crying. I asked him, “What’s wrong?” He turned away and refused to look at me. Then I asked him...

With supper finished it was mom’s time for a break from her children. It was our time to be with dad. Cindy, my eight-year old sister, got the book while Tom, my six-year old brother, and I (four-years old) climbed on our gray couch. Book in hand, Cindy joined us on the couch and we all waited for mom to start the old reel-to-reel tape player. Dad was...

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. P. E. T. – Parent Effectiveness Training by Dr. Thomas Gordon Dr. Mom’s Parenting Guide Commonsense Guidance for the Life of your Child by Marianne Neifert, M.D. Positive Discipline – The...