Words can be very powerful. Do your kids a favor and avoid using legal terms like “visit” and “visitation.” Instead talk about time with Mom & time with Dad or Mom’s house/Dad’s house. Regardless of how time is spent between households, allow children the opportunity to have two homes. Remember even through your relationship has…

When merging families focus on helping each member of your newly formed family feel connected and respected. Create a sense of belonging by having special space for each child. Even if you can’t give each child their own room, do what you can to provide a dedicated place for personal items so when kids are…

“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”  H. Jackson Brown, Jr. When differences come up don’t undermine the other parent’s authority by making critical comments or offering judgement. Instead agree to disagree. Send a message to kids that respecting parents is important. Even though you may not…

Most of us have emotions that we connect with more easily than others. Your children are no different.  Often kids have a “default emotional response” especially when life is stressful or big changes are happening the family. This means that instead of showing us how scared or anxious they are, it may be easier for…

Years from now when your kids look back on this experience. What will make them proud about how you handled things?  Remember raising kids is a marathon not a sprint. When I listen to children talk about their childhood, its not one event or thing that their parents did that stands out for them.  Rather,…