Podcast from
February 22, 2009
Madonna and Guy Ritchie
February 3, 2009
I was recently asked to comment for a large syndicated newspaper on the divorce of Madonna and Guy Ritchie. The interviewer asked me what other, less famous divorcing parents could learn from their initially less-than-amicable split. In ANY divorce, celebrity-status or not, there is always the potential for things to “go public.” A nasty legal battle may end up involving DCF workers, children’s attorneys and guardian ad litems. I advise ALL divorcing parents to watch their every move as if their children were watching them on a big-screen television. Make each move with the respect and dignity you’d hope your children would see from you. If both parents can do this, the divorce process will be inevitable less hurtful to the entire family.
Nevada versus Massachusetts
February 2, 2009
Did you know that Massachusetts has the lowest divorce rate in the United States? The state of Nevada has the highest rate. Did you know that the actual divorce rate is very difficult to gauge? This is because the national divorce rate does not include unmarried or same-sex couples. Additionally, there are 4 states that do not collect or contribute to the divorce tracking data. California is one of those non-reporting states. So when you hear the “official” divorce rate, remember what’s “behind” the statistics and take it all with a grain of salt…
Latest Parenting Class Question
February 1, 2009
In the divorce parenting class I taught last week, one Dad asked me a great question that I think many parents wonder about. He said, “With all these people around me going through the same thing, why do I feel so utterly alone in this divorce process?” The answer is so simple, yet so entirely complicated at the same time. Yes, you are most certainly not alone if you look at the sheer numbers (several hundreds of people file for divorce in the State of Connecticut alone in any given month). However, you may feel alone because divorce is not the kind of topic most people talk openly about with the general population they come in contact with. Most parents remain unaware that others around them are going through the same thing. Divorce support groups are a great way to hear other divorcing parents’ stories and feel more supported in your own experience. Self-help books on the topic will help you understand what’s happening now and what to expect as the process moves forward. Remember too, there is no “short cut” to this process. It will take time to become more comfortable with your feelings, the loss of the marital relationship (good or bad) and adjusting to your “new” life.
Hello world!
January 29, 2009
Soon to be the blogging home of Dr. Lisa Rene Reynolds, author of: Still a Family: A Guide to Good Parenting through Divorce (AMACOM Publishing, 2009)
Shielding children from the trauma of divorce
Divorce can have a devastating effect on children. Yet for families who carefully consider and manage the intricacies associated with this difficult and upsetting time, the family, as seen from the child’s perspective, can remain strong, healthy, and as loving and supportive as it ever was.
Still a Family clearly and concisely lays out the specific emotions and reactions parents need to anticipate from their children while going through separation, divorce, and its aftermath. Rather than weighing parents down with complicated plans, confusing information, and legal terminology, this book takes a common-sense approach, providing readers in a state of emotional distress with the practical, down-to-earth advice they need to sensibly and comfortingly guide their children through this often painful process. The book covers the most common mistakes divorcing parents tend to make, as well as addressing special issues that come up for kids of different age groups. This is a much-needed repository of wisdom and practical counsel for any family going through a time of heightened feelings and fragile relationships.
