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Middle Ground – Handling Discipline Differences Between Two Households
When discipline differences between divorced parents rear their ugly head, even the most amicable co-parents can begin to feel edgy and frustrated. Navigating issues such as what’s an appropriate bedtime for 5-year-old Rebecca, to at what age should Charlie get a cell phone can easily put parents at odds with one another. As a divorce…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP: Avoid using court-based language with kids
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…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP: Blended family life-help kids feel connected and respected
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…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP – Discipline differences
“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…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP – Kids and feelings
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…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP – What will make them proud?
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,…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP: Making time to take time
There’s no doubt that the daily grind can seriously impact the quality of our relationship with kids. Whether you are rushing to get to school on time, hassling over homework or trying to get everyone into bed, it’s easy to slip into a pattern of being a full-time taskmaster. Pair that with your own list…
Read MoreHow do you decide who should have primary custody of the children?
Q – What’s the best way to decide who should have primary custody of the children?A – Although your marriage relationship may have ended, your roles as Mom and Dad last a lifetime. Concepts like primary or sole custody tend to undermine healthy parent child relationships because they perpetuate the idea that parents no longer…
Read MoreWhen and how do I introduce my kids to someone I am dating?
Q – I’m a single parent. When and how do I introduce my kids to someone I am dating? A – Typically a good rule of thumb is to wait until a relationship has moved beyond causal dating before including children. Keep in mind, dating is a process of getting to know each other. In…
Read MoreMy kids are struggling, how should we approach them about counseling?
Q – My Ex-wife and I have been divorced for over a year and get along very well. Unfortunately our children (6 and 10 Years old) seem like they’re struggling. One child won’t talk and holds everything in while the other seems angry all the time. Their mom and I don’t know if they’re just…
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