Teens who often eat dinner with the family apparently: have better relationships with their parents, get better grades, use tobacco, alcohol and other drugs less than other teens, and like having dinner with the family. Unfortunately, these data may not explain what causes what. For example, maybe having a better relationship with their parents makes […]
Does Family Dinner Make a Difference for Teens? Read More »
When I created the chart below, I was thinking about family mediation, because that’s what I do. Most of the benefits, however, apply to many different kinds of disputes or conflicts. It could be a landlord-tenant issue, a dispute between a homeowner and a contractor, a serious quarrel among neighbors about parking or pets, a
Conflict to Resolve? Mediation vs. Litigation Read More »
by Virginia L Colin, Ph.D. The short version? It’s a calling. Here is the longer version: My first clue about what I should be doing came late in the 1990′s, when I learned that a friend was in a custody war that had been going on for a year and a half, with many
Why I Became a Family Mediator Read More »
My standard holiday advice: Plan something that you will look forward to and enjoy doing on the holiday. Don’t sit home crying over the absence of your ex. Get together with friends for dinner, card games, watching a hockey game, watching a movie, baking cookies with your kids, discussing books you have read recently,
Valentine’s Day after Separation or Divorce Read More »
With a little education, many ex-couples can resolve most questions on their own. For example, it may be obvious to one couple that, because their two apartments are a quarter of a mile away from each other and in the same school district, and because their kids love and need both parents, the kids should
What Parenting Schedule is Best for Your Kids? Read More »
by Dave Landry Jr. and Virginia L Colin, Ph.D. (mostly Dave) If you have decided to divorce, that was probably a very difficult choice to make. Divorce can involve stressful emotions and stressful negotiations about legal matters. This is especially likely when a divorce involves children and complex finances. Your divorce can become ugly, messy,
Gary Anderson, who created this infographic for Ramos Law Group, is a freelance writer from Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of experience writing for many different industries, he is an accomplished and published writer and editor. In his free time, he enjoys gardening.
School Tips for Co-Parents Read More »
by guest author Krishan Smith It can be a difficult business, wrapping your head around all the factors that constitute a parenting plan (often still labeled as a custody and visitation agreement). That being said, once you get into the swing of things it will eventually all make sense and, if all goes well, will
Creating a Parenting Plan Read More »
Even when everything goes as well as it can, divorce requires everyone in the family to adjust to some big changes. If you and your spouse can keep the turbulence down, your kids will have an easier time. Protecting Your Kids from Parental Fights Most kids hate watching their parents fight and hate the fallout
How to Help Your Kids Manage the Divorce Transition Read More »
Stories. When I started this blog, I thought I would tell stories of families I have worked with, especially stories of people who impressed me with how well they handled tough problems. The blog evolved a different way, but once in a while I want to come back to the stories, some good, some
Stories from Family Mediation Read More »
