We need to teach our children how to participate in civil discussions about topics they disagree about, including things that matter a lot to them. This is critical to the future health of our democracy. At present, most politicians are acting the way co-parents in the ugliest divorces act — more interested in blaming […]

by guest author Jackie Ruiz You may have gotten rid of the source of a lot of emotional stress when you got divorced, but you’ve likely picked up a different form of stress instead: financial. After the final papers are signed, most women find themselves in a worse financial position than they ever experienced during their

  Recently a business friend of mine, Melanie Springs of Sisarina, challenged a number of people not only to dream big but also to say out loud what dreams they planned to pursue. My dream: Everyone  in the U.S., Canada, and a number of other countries will know that if people need to divorce, they should

by Guest Author Elinor Robin, Ph.D. with a little editing by Virginia L Colin, Ph.D. 21. Even if the other parent disappoints your child or fails to honor a time commitment, tell the child that in spite of this error the other parent loves the child very much. (Say that only if you believe it

  A friend asked me for advice about talking with his lady love about a prenuptial agreement. My first response was that every couple contemplating marriage should talk about money. Financial issues can break a marriage. If one of you thinks it is normal to go on a three-week cruise every year and the other

by Guest Author Elinor Robin, Ph.D., with a little editing by Virginia L Colin, Ph.D. 11. Avoid using body language, facial expressions or other subtleties to express negative thoughts and emotions about the other parent. Your child can read you! 12. You can discuss some of your feelings with your children to the extent that

by Guest Author James Parsons and Virginia Colin (mostly James Parsons) Parenting a teen is hard enough, but if you’re a father, the thought of your daughter hitting puberty can be very unsettling. Makeup and clothes might not be you’re forté, but there are plenty of other things she needs advice about. Before you know

  In most cases, I would recommend both, but there are exceptions. In many cases, you can save thousands of dollars by having a mediator help you and your former partner go as far as you can in mediation. The mediator’s area of expertise is facilitating communication – helping both parties say clearly what matters

by Guest Author Elinor Robin, Ph.D. and Virginia L Colin, Ph.D. (mostly Elinor) 1. If you have not done so already, call a truce with your Ex. Divorced parents can succeed at co-parenting. To begin, a ceasefire is necessary. It takes two to make a fight, so there is a good chance that either one

  It is a phrase I hear often. Often the person who says it appears to be angry or scornful. Usually the other person becomes angry or defensive. The phase interferes with constructive communication. “That’s a lie” is received as a close cousin of “You are a liar.” Even people who know they are lying