Useful Tips

Divorce is one of the most painful experiences of adult life.  Most people will experience pain, grief and other strong and uncomfortable emotions following separation. Support from family, friends and co-workers can help ease the difficulties you are going through. It is helpful to recognize the difference between sympathy (‘you poor thing’), empathy (‘I know exactly what you are going through, let me tell you about me’) and acceptance (‘how can I help and support you?’).  Sympathy and empathy are like eating a piece of chocolate.  They make you feel good for the moment, but the feeling doesn’t last.  Friends and family who offer acceptance are more likely to have a positive long term impact on how you are doing. 

A parent's responsibilities to the child survives the end of an adult relationship.  Each parent's responsibilities to the child actually increases after the adult relationship is over.  Parents who are able to put a child's needs ahead of their own emotions will be able to do what it takes to make good parenting continue. 

Top 10 ways to protect your kids from conflict:

"Really?? A divorce 'Fair'?!" Some jaws dropped, some giggled, and others were deers caught in the headlights.  People didn't quite know what to think about the concept of a Divorce 'Fair'.  But at least it grabs your attention!  It wasn't quite like the fairs I attended as a child.  The fair was organized by the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia in an effort to provide information to the public about all aspects of separation and divorce.  Many exhibitors attended, ranging from legal services to family counseling services to realtors to life coaches.  Attendees were able to visit different booths and ask questions to the various professionals about how they help families going through transition.  Knowing that men and women have different comfort levels in these situations, and perhaps to avoid an awkward situation of seeing an ex-partner, the organizers separated men and women into different days.