Adjusting to the challenges of life can be difficult. Change is hard on everyone. Although there are many things in your life you can get ready for (marriage, pregnancy, empty nest, retirement), no events are really predictable. Many unforeseen challenges and hurdles will be thrust upon you and you have to adjust to each the best that you can.
I know, I know, summer isn’t over yet! The sound of splashing in the pool is proof of that. But it’s not too early to think ahead to prepare yourself and your children, especially school-age children, for the transition. Whether we want to admit it or not—it’s right around the corner.
Divorcing parents usually comes with a negative connotation. And fair enough, divorce can seem overwhelming but when you’re a parent it can be especially challenging when coping with the realities of co-parenting your children. It isn’t easy. Committing to cooperative co-parenting takes patience and skill. It means both of you care deeply about your children and want to continue raising them in the least-disruptive possible manner.
Lament of a divorced parent? It’s true. Firsts are always memorable, especially the first time that a newly divorced parent sends the children off with the “ex”. The finality of no longer being parents in the same household becomes “reality”. For most parents, it is a very emotional experience; the first time you are home alone, and your children are with the “other” parent. You wonder if the children are ok? Did dad or mom remember that Susie was allergic to peanuts, that Jimmy needed his ADD meds in the morning? And, that each child needed a ride to a sports activity.
Back to school can be exciting, scary, or even sad for some families. There are a lot of emotions with summer fun ending for the kids, parents having to reorganize their schedules especially for families of divorce, and maybe your kids aren’t the biggest fans of school. So what can parents do to help their children have a successful start to their school year?
It may seem stressful to be practical and careful with your money. But you can be financially responsible and actually feel more sane and more in control. Being aware and disciplined about your budget can actually reduce stress and improve self-confidence.
The stress of divorce can cause illness, missed work days, insomnia, upset stomach and weight gain. I can certainly relate because I went through a divorce after 15 years of marriage. Although I am happily remarried now, I would never had found the strength to get through that turbulent time in my life if it weren’t for the practice of yoga. Here’s five ways yoga helps you cope through a divorce.
5 Summer Sanity Savers that work! Summer schedules can get hectic and overbearing. Between vacations, parties, sports, work and life in general, it is difficult to manage it all and still enjoy yourself.
Our expert guest blogger, Michelle Monroe Morton, provides us with the following 5 scheduling tips that will keep the summer months running smoothly and allow us to experience a bit of enjoyment.
Let go and embrace change. It sounds so easy, but it’s not. How many times have you been thrown a curve ball when you least expected it? Losing your job, divorce an unexpected health emergency, death of a loved one, family estrangements and more — all these can be devastating, scary and unexpected. There is an enormous adjustment to make, mainly because things are different and you are in a new situation you never experienced before. How can you find your peace so you can deal with the complexities of your new challenge?
Parenting is no easy role! Not only is it not easy, but it is 24/7- without a retirement plan. How do you roll in this full time job with just you on duty? My suggestions come from what I now know, but wish I had known when my home was “a two parent household minus one”. These are tips learned from my experience.