Divorce Selfies

Everyone takes selfies these days. As camera phones have improved and social networks are quickly and easily connected to our mobile devices, it has become easier and easier to post and share and like pictures that we share, or that are shared by our friends, almost in real time.
Almost as far back as I can remember (okay, well, as far back as college, anyway), I’ve had access to social media. It’s pretty deeply ingrained, at this point at least, into our social consciousness. Still, every so often people do something (or share something) that I never would have thought to share, and I have to laugh (or cringe).
The other day, I saw that a couple from Calgary had shared a divorce selfie (of course, complete with a hashtag). They were grinning from ear to ear, and, after they posted it, it was shared nearly 35,000 times (probably even more by now, too). They even had a nice statement to go along with it. Although they said they weren’t celebrating the end of their 11 year marriage, they were celebrating something awesome that they had done, specifically: “we have respectfully, thoughtfully and honourably ended our marriage in a way that will allow us to go forward as parenting partners”. As grown ups with two kids at home, the two parents worked together to get an uncontested divorce and, even though they no longer want to be married to each other, they walked away with their dignity and respect for each other in tact.
Obviously, it’s a message that’s resonating worldwide (especially when you consider the number of shares their photo received). So often, the news that we hear about divorce is depressing and disheartening. We hear about families ripped apart, children who are suffering, and people whose finances never recover. Reading this article, though, and seeing their smiles, definitely made me smile, too. It’s nice to hear that there are still people out there who can divorce without hating each other, and who can make the conscious decision to put their children at the forefront through it all. If you’re interested, check out the USA Today article on the couple by clicking here.
The couple, Chris and Shannon Neuman, end by saying that it is actually “possible to love your kids more than you hate/distrust/dislike your ex”.
So, what do you think? Would you post a divorce selfie? Are you so committed to keeping your family in tact that you’ll make sure you and your husband end it on amicable terms? We can help you there. If you’re ready to go from where you are now to a smiling divorce selfie, give our office a call at (757) 425-5200.