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 […]

  Once I worked with a mom from eastern Europe and a dad from South America. The dad was on a path toward U.S. citizenship. The mom came to the U.S. as a nanny with a work visa. After she had a baby who later got sick and needed to go to a hospital, she

By Guest Author Rosalind Sedacca We all get angry when we believe we are being wronged, misunderstood or unjustly accused. It’s a natural reaction to circumstances that put us on the defensive. For many, divorce is the perfect storm that triggers all our anger issues. When we’re parents and cannot manage our anger, it can

  OK, yes, there are some deadbeat moms and dads who just drop out of their children’s lives. Fortunately for the children, these parents are in the minority. And to be fair to the absentee parent, one should note that some are not deadbeats at all. Some have been excluded from their children’s lives by

  Recently I had a long conversation* with Dr. Ned Holstein, Founder and Chair of the National Parents Organization (NPO). NPO seeks better lives for children through family law reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers after divorce or separation. The organization is focused on promoting shared parenting and preserving a child’s strong

by Guest Author Sharon Zarozny   It’s holiday time, and if you’re in the midst of a major transition, it can be one of the most challenging (certainly not “the most wonderful”) times of the year. Twinkling lights, cheery carols, and holiday shopping can bring more sadness than joy … especially if your world is

by guest author Jacob Edward Unfortunately, we cannot tell when someone will begin to need long-term care or end-of-life hospice care. Many individuals begin long-term care after a sudden life change that leaves them unable to care for themselves at home, such as a stroke or a fall. Others simply decline with advancing age. In

Last weekend I went to a family law reform conference just to hear what parents from many parts of the USA would say. What they said was disturbing.   The conference was hosted by the Director of Divorce Corp, a documentary about the fifty billion dollars per year divorce industry in this country. Obviously the parents

    Little stories can be fun and educational. Working with a different mediator (not a member of our group), one couple had signed an agreement with a detailed schedule describing when their child would spend time with each parent. During the next year or two, each thought the other was violating the agreement over