Tag Archives: separation

Protecting Yourself During a Legal Separation

My last article focused on the aspects of a legal separation. Many couples think that they can just move apart and be legally separated. However without the proper papers filed, you are not protected. A legal separation is a must if you feel that the divorce or separation may get ugly or difficult. It can help give the two of you guidelines to live by so neither partner is taken advantage of during the separation. In the article, I also began noting some precautions that one should take when undergoing a legal separation. This article will offer more advice on … Continue reading →

What is a Legal Separation?

When things are not going so well in a marriage, partners often begin to think about the option of a divorce. However, some couples are not so bold or yet ready to call it quits. These couples may opt for a separation or trial period before asking for a divorce. Some states honor a couple a legal separation. The states of Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Texas do not recognize a legal separation as of this time. Other states look at a legal separation as of a time period when you are not married nor are you divorced. When … Continue reading →

Frugal Ornaments

Christmas tree looking a little bare? You don’t have to spend a lot to make it beautiful and full of happy things. Just take a look at the following ideas that will help you decorate your tree for free (or almost free). Some of these ideas are taken from traditional Christmas Tree decorating traditions from folks who know what it is to live frugally, while other ideas have a more modern spin. Enjoy! Here is an idea that an old friend and I used to decorate his tree when we didn’t have much to work with in terms of cash. … Continue reading →

When Your Kids go to the “Other House” for the Holidays

For the first couple years after my divorce–the holidays were definitely hard for me! I realize that there was really nothing unique or original about my situation, but that did not make it any less painful or difficult to adjust to. I agreed that I would have my kids on Christmas Eve and then they would spend Christmas Day with their father. That first long, lonely Christmas day was horrible! But, over the years, I have adjusted and have found new ways to celebrate the holidays, and keep my mood up all the while… Sharing our kids can be tough … Continue reading →

Attaching with Extended Family

Some adopted young adults say that although they felt a part of their immediate families, they never felt quite like “one of the clan” with their extended relatives. One adoptive mother theorizes that for relatives who live far apart, reunions tended to focus on genes and history, since relatives who had spent many years at a distance had few shared experiences to build a relationship on. Relatives commented on who had grown up to look like who, remembered family births, and told baby stories comparing new parents and their babies. This mother reported that her kids were likely to hear, … Continue reading →

Christmas Gifts to Help Your Family Stay in Touch

If you live far away from your relatives, Christmas is a time that can bring you closer together. As parents you may be looking for gifts that will help your children connect with their grandparents. Technology has opened many new doors to make this a much easier process. Here are five gifts that you can give to help your family stay more connected. In later blogs I will list specific suggestions on how to better utilize these gifts to stay in touch with each other. 1) If you do not already have a web cam this is a great gift … Continue reading →

Grandparent-Single Parent Relations, Part Three—Step-Grandparents

As I have been writing about the unique challenges and joys that grandparents bring to the single parent family, I thought it only fitting that I write a bit about step-grandparents. It seems almost inevitable that at least one side of our children’s parentage will re-partners and there could very well be new grandparents that come into the family mix. Some older adults take to grandparenting with ease and gusto, regardless of whether or not the children are related to them biologically or not. Other step grandparents can be more challenging and be less than loving to our children… There … Continue reading →

Grandparent-Single Parent Relations, Part Two—Relationships

I wrote earlier today about the special boundary issues with grandparents that single parents can face. In this second part of the “Grandparent-Single Parent Relations” series, I want to focus in on the relationships—those between the grandparents and the children, and between single parents and grandparents. It can be such a life-affirming blessing to have involved grandparents in your life and your child’s life, but relationships can be strained and troubled after a separation, death, or divorce. Relationships change and evolve, and it can really depend on the situation and the circumstances surrounding your family at any given moment. How … Continue reading →

Grandparent-Single Parent Relations, Part One—Boundaries

The dance between parents, grandparents and children can be complicated anyway, but add in the single parent situation and things can get messy. We might be estranged from out children’s “other” grandparents, there may be step-grandparents thrown into the mix, or we may have had to rely on grandparents to help us through a tough transitional time. All of this can make setting healthy boundaries with grandparents as a single parent, a huge challenge. Many of us do need help from grandparents as single parents—they may help with childcare, living arrangements, or even help out financially. This can be a … Continue reading →

Grandma According to Me – Karen Magnuson Beil

My grandmother passed away eight years ago, and although it has been a while, her memory is still vivid with me. I love “Grandma According to Me” as it is told through the eyes of a young girl, and it so closely echoes the thoughts and feelings I have about my own grandmother. We read that Grandma has a nice big lap, and she can hold two children in it at the same time, but our narrator likes it best when she has Grandma all to herself. Grandma’s lap is as soft as a pillow, and there aren’t any places … Continue reading →