Search Results for: blog you may have to compromise for the sake of your child

The Co-Parenting Rollercoaster

We all know how important the co-parenting relationship is after a divorce. You have children together, and thus will be dealing with each other for a very long time, which means you are going to have to find a way to get along when it comes to the kids. Sometimes this is relatively easy, sometimes it can be a nightmare. Having to stay in contact with someone who has hurt you deeply is never ideal. It’s natural to harbor some resentment after everything you’ve been through, but you have to put those things aside for the sake of your children. … Continue reading →

A Simple Thank You

It’s amazing the effect that those two little words can have on people. It is important to show your appreciation when someone has gone out of their way to do something nice for you. Those two words can make all the difference in your relationship. When you are in a co-parenting relationship, you are often asked to compromise and work together. This isn’t always easy, and it is often inconvenient, but you do it for the sake of your children. Can you imagine what a simple “thank you” would do here? When you forget to thank your ex for working … Continue reading →

Taking the First Step

Do you remember the first scrapbook you made all by yourself? My first memory album featured a travel theme and despite nearly 20 years and seven moves, it is still in one piece. If you are contemplating making the move to scrapbooking, but are overwhelmed by the virtually endless amount of themes available, just relax. Take a deep breath and start with a topic you know well. If you are a parent, the answer might be right in front of you. Selecting your children as the topic for your first scrapbook is an excellent choice on many levels. For starters … Continue reading →

Custody Disputes That End In Tragedy

When custody of your children is being decided after a divorce it can be the most emotional time in your life. No one wants to live without their children. In many cases both parents are involved, loving, supportive parents, regardless of the reasons their marriage ended. And both want and believe they deserve custody of the children. Sometimes custody battles result in one parent taking their life and the lives of their children. Recently we were witness to that with the Powell children, their father killed himself and both of the boys in an explosion because, as he said- he … Continue reading →

Still A Part Of The Family

Recently I was reminded of what co parenting looks like when the entire extended family makes it work. Being a single mom I usually only look at things from my point of view but this weekend I got the chance to look at this as a relative instead of the single parent. My best friend’s son and his wife are divorced, their son is three. I think that Sarah and Tyler have done a wonderful job of co parenting their son. This little boy seems happy, well adjusted and well loved. When he is with us he is the apple … Continue reading →

We Can TRY Not to be Too Dorky

As a rule, I do not try purposefully to embarrass my kids (which is more than I think I can say for them); in general, I try to be solid, reasonable, and not too much of an out-of-touch dork, but I think single parents can get confused and the boundaries can get blurred–we might end up either trying too hard to be our child’s “buddy” or we may get so involved in our own life that we come across as embarrassing and dorky. Of course, as our children become teenagers, they are supposed to find their parents a bit out … Continue reading →

Torn Between Two Worlds

When our children are younger, we single parents can have a bit more control over custody and visitation arrangements. During the holidays, many of us have very definite, written, court documents that state who will go where and for how long. As children get older, however, and start into adulthood–they no longer have someone making those decisions and choices for them and have to start making them on their own. It can be very difficult and painful for a child who feels like she is torn between two (or more) different worlds. I wrote earlier in the holiday season about … Continue reading →

They Still Compete for Attention (Even Though They’re Older)

One of the realities of the single parent home–especially those of us who have more than one child–is that we have to divide our attention and our focus up amongst all sorts of competing things–starting with our kids! Even though my kids are older teenagers and nearly grown–they still compete for my attention… Single parents have to split up their time, focus, and attention and it isn’t always easy–between work, home, personal stuff, and our child, it is nonstop. For me, with three kids and a home business, I still have not gotten used to all the interruptions and all … Continue reading →

Building Loyalty in a Single Parent Family

Single parent families can feel fragmented—especially if children actually go back and forth and live in two homes. Of course, most of us want our children to feel cherished and attached to both sides of the family which can create some problems when it comes to creating a solid, cohesive sense of family loyalty. There are things we parents can do, however, to help build a sense of loyalty and belonging in a single parent family… Our children need to feel as though they belong and most of us want to create a sense of “loyalty” to the family unit. … Continue reading →

Can we Really be “Hands Off” with the Other Parent?

While not all single parents have another involved parent out there to contend with, many of us do. I have read articles and books that advise a “hands off” policy with the other parent–allowing the other parent to run things his (or her) way while the kids are with that parent. I try to keep my distance and stay on my own turf when it comes to my children’s father, but it definitely is not always easy. There are times when it really seems like we need to discuss things or at least come to some mutual agreement. Of course, … Continue reading →