When you have children and get divorced, the final agreement must include a parenting plan to clarify what will happen after the divorce regarding the care of the children. A parenting plan outlines the parenting schedule - when each parent will see the children and the logistics of how that will happen. It also covers other relevant issues like how decisions should be made about medical situations, the children’s education and religious affiliation. 

Everything that’s put into the agreement is part of a legal document, the Marital Settlement Agreement or the Separation Agreement, that’s filed with the court. Parents must follow that agreement and can be brought back to court if they don’t.

A child-centered parenting plan is one where you put your children and their wellbeing first. There are many things that get in the way of putting children first like work schedules and significant others. However, when you center the plan around the needs of the children and what’s best for them, it will help create a structure for them to grow into emotionally healthy adults.
Here are some key tips to keep your parenting plan child-centered:

• Don’t base your decisions on how to get back at your ex. Children should not be used as pawns. Even if you’re angry with your ex, you need to put that aside because it’s important for your children’s well-being that they have a strong relationship with both parents.
• Consider your specific children’s needs when making the parenting schedule. Are your children very organized or scattered? Do they need to be with one parent during the week who has more time to help with homework? Do they have a learning disability? All of these things need to be considered when making the parenting schedule.
• Make the parenting plan detailed so that you and your children understand how it all works. Include what will happen when there are holidays, 3 day weekends and vacations and how you’ll communicate about requests for changes.
• Include the right of first refusal. If you need to be away from your children during your parenting time, it’s usually best for them to be with the other parent rather than a babysitter. You can include having the right of first refusal for any minimum amount of time - from a few hours to an overnight. 
• Think about the differences that will occur when children get older. Parenting plans will last until the child turns 18. Many parents think about the current situation and forget to include how the plan works as children grow as they have more after school activities or time with friends. 

It’s helpful to get advice from a divorce coach, therapist or attorney to make sure that  you craft a child-centered parenting plan that will work for you and your children. The work that you put in to making your parenting plan a child-centered plan now is going to pay off in the peace it will bring to your family in the future. 

Does every communication with your ex end in you feeling frustrated and emotional? Then your ex is probably a high conflict person. Divorce is hard enough when both parties are reasonable. Throw a high-conflict ex into the mix and it can feel unbearable. Communicating peacefully with a high-conflict ex may seem impossible, but there are things you can do to communicate effectively and navigate this process with less stress.
 
Here are tips to keep in mind when communicating with a high-conflict ex: 

1. Speak with empathy. High-conflict people are particularly sensitive to being ignored or misunderstood. Respond with something empathetic even if you think it’s ridiculous. “It sounds like you’re concerned that Mary isn’t spending enough time reading when she’s with me. I understand your concern.” This can decrease the intensity of the conversation and diffuse the situation.
   
2. Be brief. Keep it short and to the point. Don’t defend yourself and keep your focus on the topic at hand. High conflict people communicate in a way that brings you into a conflict spiral. Don’t let them.
   
3. Focus on the facts. Avoid sarcasm, threats or personal remarks. Anything that you say that attacks the person will escalate the conflict.
   
4. Keep a pleasant tone. No matter how they treat you, answer in a friendly way. Say something like, “Thank you for your response.” Or “I appreciate your opinion.” This can be difficult when you’re feeling angry and frustrated. Remind yourself that your focus is on your children, not each other.
   
5. Be firm.  In a non-threatening way, clearly tell the person your position on the issue. “That’s all I’m going to say on the issue.” Sound confident and don’t ask any questions to avoid more back and forth. 

You can do this! Your children are worth the effort. If you can use these tips successfully, conflict between you and your ex will decrease and you and your children will benefit.

​For most parents, telling their children about the decision to divorce is one of the most difficult things that they have to face. It is helpful for both parents to discuss ahead of time what they’re going to share with their children and how they’re going to respond to their children’s questions.
 
Parents should make several agreements:

• Agree not to discuss any legal or financial issues in front of the children.
  
• Agree not to blame each other for the divorce. It’s not appropriate to discuss the specific problems in the marriage that led to the divorce with the children.  
  
• Agree to explain that although you won't be married to each other, you'll always be their mother/father and will always love them.
  
• Agree to tell children that the reason for the divorce has nothing to do with them – it’s not their fault and they aren’t to blame.

 
If you don’t know where you’ll live, that will create some stress for children. Letting children know a plan for where you’re living, even if it’s just for the near future, will help lower children’s anxiety.
 
If there are issues that the children already know about such as substance abuse, sexual orientation or an affair, it’s better to acknowledge the issue rather than avoid it. If you discuss it with the children, it will enable them to ask questions and feel that they can come to you to talk about things that concern them.
 
Discuss what the schedule will be and anything else that will impact them. Children need to know things like will they be moving, where will each parent live, who they will live with, when will they see each parent, will they stay at the same school and what will happen on their birthday and holidays. Even if you don’t have all of the answers, telling children what’s happening in the near future will help.
 
It’s best for parents to tell their children about the divorce together. It helps children see that their parents are still working together. It provides a sense of safety for children through an unstable time. It also provides an opportunity for children to process the information in a safe environment as both parents are available for questions, reassurance and support. Choose a time where there's no distractions and everyone can be together.
 
If children don’t feel like asking questions or talking about anything, don’t push them. Allow them to have time to process the information. They probably feel a lot of conflicting emotions and may not be able to verbalize their feelings right away.
 
It’s ok to tell children that you’re sad about the divorce and that with time, you will all heal and adjust to the changes in the family. However, try not to show intense emotions like crying for hours or saying, “I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Even though you may be struggling emotionally, you need to deal with your emotions separately from your children. They need to know that you are strong enough to deal with the divorce so that they don’t feel obligated to take care of you. If you need help dealing with all of the emotions and overwhelm of divorce, see a therapist so that you can be there for your children.

​Many clients seek counseling because they’re having difficulty with combining two families after divorce. They have children who are different ages, have different needs and personalities and they find it overwhelming and stressful. It’s not surprising considering how difficult it is raising children in intact families where there hasn’t been divorce!
 
Despite the difficulties, it is possible to have a happy family even if you have children from two different marriages. Some of the ways to make this situation successful are as follows:

1. Take time to get to know your partner. You don’t really get to know someone until you’re dating for over a year. I recommend 1 to 1 ½ years of dating before you can assess whether this person is for you. After that amount of time, you’ll probably know most of their faults and can decide whether or not you want to jump into a long term, committed relationship with them. Therefore, if possible, it’s better to wait to blend families until you’re sure of that commitment.
2. Don’t rush introducing the children to your partner. Children don’t need to meet everyone you’re dating. Wait until you know it’s a serious relationship before you introduce them to your children. If you date someone, they meet your children and then you break up, it could be another loss for your children, particularly if they were emotionally connected to them.
3. Know what your children need and make them a priority. For example, if children, especially young children, need one on one time with a parent, make sure that you prioritize that in your schedule. This is particularly true following a divorce as children are vulnerable and may need extra attention. Children need to feel important in your life. If you’re regularly making your children feel important, you’ll then be able to take time for yourself and they’ll be ok.
4. Make the new relationship a priority also. This can be difficult to manage when there are so many things pulling at your time and attention. But if you can schedule a date night with your partner once a week, that will help you maintain the connection in your relationship. Even if the date night is at home after the kids go to bed, that could work. Turn off all of the phones and computers, light a candle, make some tea and really focus on each other. You’ll be amazed at how much you both need that connection.
5. Try to stay out of the way of how your partner parents unless they want you involved. Everyone has their own style of parenting. Even if your partner’s style of parenting is different from how you parent, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it. Each of you must respect the other’s way of interacting with their children.
6. Learn how to communicate effectively. When one member of the family is upset, talk about it respectfully and truly listen to each other. Make sure there are opportunities for each family member to express how they feel and feel validated. This can be accomplished through weekly family meetings with an agenda for the meetings determined by all family members. You can have a list of agenda items that are added to during the week. There should also be a group text and a family calendar where the family can clearly communicate with each other.

 
These suggestions will help you develop a closer family when you have partners that have children from previous marriages/relationships. If these techniques don’t work, family counseling with an experienced therapist is an option. However, if you make children and your relationship a priority, respect boundaries and communicate effectively, you’ll be far along the way to having a happy blended family!

Thank you to guest writer, Carla C. Hugo, divorce coach at www.getcoached.com!

​When a threat comes between you and your child, what's your first response? Often, your hackles are raised and your lips recede baring your teeth, all in an attempt to defend your “cub.”
 
What happens when the threat to your child is the dissolution of your own marriage? Facing divorce is as frightening as any other threat to your children’s well-being. And in this state of emotion, you function from your “Reptilian Brain.” This is the part of your brain that is activated for survival. Your response to the threat of a broken home for your children may include fight, flight, fear or freezing.
 
It is imperative that you learn techniques to move out of your emotional brain and into your logical-thinking brain. Otherwise, you will be making life long decisions about parenting time, housing, alimony and child-support from the short-term survival decision making part of your brain. Doing so can cause long-term challenges on your life and those precious cubs you long to protect.
 
Get the neutral support you need from a counselor or coach. Learn to feel your emotions, and to refrain from making major life decisions while in an emotional state. A counselor that has experience with divorce or a coach who specializes in divorce are both great resources. Thinking with your logical brain will enable you to protect your “cub” and function better. If you’re functioning better, your children will function better and you will be able to make the right decisions for your family's future.

​This is the time of year when children are transitioning.  Parents are bringing their kids to college, children are starting school and whether it's your first child or your last child, it can be emotional.  Throughout a child's life, parents need to let go - when a toddler first learns to walk, the first day of preschool or kindergarten, the first sleepover, the first day of high school - all of these experiences can be difficult for parents to let their children go out on their own.  But the more parents can encourage children to be independent, the easier it will be for children to make these transitions.
 
Children look to us as their role model for many things.  If we have a tremendous amount of anxiety or trepidation about our children's independence, children will be able to tell, even if we don't say anything.  Talk to a friend or your spouse about your feelings so that you can express your fears and anxieties.  If you're still feeling anxious, see a therapist so that you can work through those emotions.  It may be bringing up something from your childhood and it may help to have a few sessions with a professional to lessen your anxiousness.
 
During these transitional times, I encourage parents to ask their children questions - ask them about their feelings about going to high school or leaving for college.  Ask them what they're excited for and and what they're nervous about.  Ask them how they plan to handle any challenges.  After hearing all of their feelings, tell them how confident you are that they are going to be able to handle the experience and give specific examples from their past about how they've handled other difficult situations.  This conversation is so important because if children feel that their parents have confidence in them, this can give them the confidence they need to move forward.  Letting go of our children is difficult but there's nothing more rewarding for a parent than watching your children conquer a new challenge successfully.

My son just recently had his wisdom teeth removed and he's recovering nicely physically.  But his moods are another story.  I've been biting my tongue and trying to stay calm but if I hadn't gone through this with my two older sons I wouldn't be able to be able to put this phase into perspective.

The teen years can be tough - for parents and for teens.  Hormones are going wild, teens are trying to figure out who they are and there is so much pressure on them to succeed in school and in life.  I wouldn't want to go back to those years for all the money in the world!  

Each child experiences the teen years differently but they all have some kind of adjustment.  I've counseled many parents of teens and teenagers and I've found that the most important thing that a parent can do is to focus on their relationship with the teen.  If the relationship is strong, your teen should be ok.  While it may be difficult to have a good relationship with your teen, here are some tips to help:

1. Don't take it personally.  Whatever they say, however they act, remember it's not personal.  That doesn't mean that you allow them to treat you badly.  But don't overreact.  Simply say, "When you're ready to speak to me respectfully, we can talk."  And walk away.
2. It's normal!  Teenagers typically have some period of time where they are moody or difficult.  It doesn't mean that the teen is a bad kid.  It means that they feel safe in your relationship and they can let their guard down with you.
3. Let the leash out.  Allow your teen some independence.  Let your teen do some things that they weren't allowed to do in the past.  Too much independence probably isn't best because teens can get into trouble.  But the only way your teen will grow into a responsible adult is for him or her to be given responsibility.
4. Tell your teen that you love them no matter what.  A teenager really needs to hear that their parent loves them. And it may be hard to say, especially after your teen is rude to you.  But that's exactly when they need to hear it.  Because they don't feel good about themselves when they're like that.  And if their parent still loves them when they act that way, that means that they aren't so bad.  

​All of this requires a parent to be very patient and to have a lot of self-control.  In order to do that, we need to take care of ourselves.  As I've mentioned in my previous blog posts, it's extremely important for parents to take care of themselves.  So when you find yourself ready to react harshly with your teen, ask yourself, "What can I do right now to take care of myself?"  If you can do this successfully, you'll get through the teen years and have independent, appreciative and happy adult children to laugh about it with!

We often hear about a child or an adult who has ADHD or dyslexia or one of the many other learning disabilities (LDs) and feel sorry for them. Many people are embarrassed and ashamed that they are different than others and have had to struggle in school or at a job. Many parents avoid getting their children evaluated because they don't want them labeled. A person's self-esteem can be significantly impacted by this struggle and it can effect them for the rest of their life.

My experience was different. I struggled in elementary school with reading. Although I did very well in my math classes, I couldn't do well in English class no matter how hard I worked. I couldn't read until 3rd grade and even when I started reading, I had a hard time keeping up with the rest of my class. 

My mother was never the type to give up on anything, especially her children, so she took me to doctors and specialists. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and my mother completely changed my diet.  She brought me to a center in New York City every week to get eye exercises. She gave me carrot juice (which tasted awful to a 9 year old) and took me to health food stores and alternative doctors before it was the thing to do.

During this time, she never gave me the impression that I was lazy or stupid. Instead, she told me that I was very smart and capable. She had faith in me that with the right help, I would be able to succeed. Although I never became a top student in my English class, I did succeed. I went to Cornell University and completed a masters degree.  And getting through my earlier struggles has made me the person that I am - hardworking, creative, efficient, empathic.
​
People with LDs are gifted - we are unique, special, different. But being different in this society can be very difficult. We look at our friends and neighbors and see what looks like a perfect life. We compare ourselves or our children and feel that we don't measure up. But if we look at our differences as strengths instead of weaknesses, we can help our children feel good about who they are and we can feel good about who we are.  We can help parents appreciate and nurture their children's unique gifts - just like my mom did.  And if you didn't have a mom or dad who did that, every day you can nurture yourself and surround yourself with people who appreciate and celebrate the unique and special person you are.