No decision to stay married for the sake of the children should be made without considering how the children will react to the eventual breakup. My current guest, Kimberly had been married for eighteen years when her husband surprised her with the statement, "I don't love you anymore." With two young children, aged six and ten at the time, they decided that trying to staying … [Read more...]
Why You Can’t Really Win An Argument With Your Child
by Janet Lehman, MSW Why does arguing with your child give him power? When you engage in fights with your child, over time he will begin to believe that he is your peer and that he has the power to challenge you. This is a loaded situation because your child doesn't realize that this empowerment he’s feeling isn’t real. The more powerful he thinks he is (and the more the … [Read more...]
Is A Parenting Consultant The Answer?
by Susan Carpenter The Family Courts often use an Alternative Dispute Resolution process to help people resolve their own disagreements outside of court. The State Supreme Courts keep rosters of neutrals that are trained as mediators, arbitrators and other neutral positions. When it comes to disputes between divorced parents, the battles can become quite nasty and the … [Read more...]
What Does “In a Child’s Best Interest” Really Mean?
The foundation of co-parenting rests on a bit of legalese: “In a child’s best interest.” Generally speaking, the family court system puts forth that when parents are no longer together, their decisions and actions as parents should promote, and not hinder, their children’s physical, emotional, and educational well-being. This premise seems simple enough. What parent wouldn’t … [Read more...]
Parenting Is Not A Competition
You and your ex are not likely to have the same parenting style and in many cases, it won't matter. Kids cope with different sets of rules all the time. Teachers at school have different rules, the rules at church may be different, team coaches have different rules and what behavior is allowed at Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts may again be different. If the rules are spelled out … [Read more...]