We’ve separated. Can he call our child EVERY night?

Single moms are always under a lot of pressure.  For one thing, life – and parenting – is hard.  For another, they’re constantly subject to the judgment of others. One way I see this play out – unfairly, in my opinion – to the detriment of mothers and children is in how other people like...

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Childcare is one of the most difficult parts of parenting.  It just is.  I think that is true across the board, regardless of whether you are married to your child’s father, never married your child’s father, divorced your child’s father, are separated from your child’s father, or your child’s father is totally MIA.  It’s really,...

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Will a parenting app help our communication?

Navigating a new coparenting relationship is challenging, even under the best of circumstances.  Most breakups, though, aren’t the best of circumstances. Or maybe – and this is entirely possible – I just have a poor sampling. I do think that’s something you (and probably I) should always consider.  When I speak (or write), I’m thinking...

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Common Custody Issues: Birthday Parties

There are a few issues that seem to pop up again and again and, if you’ve been in family law as long as I have, you’re bound to see it.  If you’re going through a divorce or custody case, you may very well come across it, too – which is why I write today. It...

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Coparenting Issues: Are You Gatekeeping?

There are a million different issues that come up in coparenting.  One of them – or, at least, one of the ones I hear about the most often – is gatekeeping. As a mom myself, I can completely relate.  All of the information coming at you about the kids at all times can feel insane. ...

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Talking With Your Kids About Divorce

There’s not a roadmap that comes along with any part of having kids.  From the time you leave the hospital until, well, I’m not sure when it ends, there’s really nothing out there that provides any kind of authoritative advice for what to do when difficult things happen. Likewise, there’s no manual for helping your...

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Talking to your Husband in your Virginia Divorce

So, obviously, talking to your husband during your divorce isn’t the easiest thing in the world. In fact, in my experience, it’s one of the hardest. Tensions are high. Trust is low. It’s hard, sometimes, to keep your cool, even if you’re generally really good at that sort of thing. You’re not alone. Communication is...

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Almost two years ago now, I was in a car accident. (Let me just say, at the beginning, that it wasn’t my fault, and the other driver was cited.) It was a pretty serious one, too, because it totaled my car (and I loved that car!) and injured me. Years ago, way back when I...

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