How do parents relax? When it comes to this question, married parents may have something to learn from divorced parents. An expert explains what she calls "divorce's dirty little secret."
These days, with the divorce rate hovering close to 50%, the likelihood of dating a man with children is pretty high. As I discuss in Dating the Divorced Man, dating a divorced dad has many unique challenges that you won’t face with childless men. However, don’t be too quick to toss out that cute dad’s phone number, as each divorced dad is different and you may find one you really connect with.
I’ve often found the title “co-parenting” somewhat of a humorous irony, a conundrum. Think about it. Here you have two people that just went through an emotionally hurtful process of divorce and in many instances despise each other. Then it is suggesting that they be calm enough to have a mature conversation about parenting. It’s like the democrats and republicans suddenly compromising to prevent the fiscal cliff after four years of resentment.
I am a firm believer that divorce can be a really wonderful thing for children as they no longer have to put up with a relationship that is going sour day in, day out. There is however, a false assumption that children need to be with both parents, and I actually don’t think this is true either. Who is to say that staying in an unhappy marriage is less harmful as taking action to end it?
Both my mother and my sisters are divorced and I am too. However, I don't believe that my mother's predicament could have predicted our divorces. Afterall divorce is not genetic as some may believe. There are plenty of people who have divorced parents, and the numbers keep on growing. But does this mean that their children will end up in the same predicament? Not necessarily. There are plenty of couples that have divorced parents who are happily married and have no desire to divorce.
![How I Learned To Stop Hating My Ex-Husband's New Wife [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/jealous.jpg "How I Learned To Stop Hating My Ex-Husband's New Wife [EXPERT]")
"We're set," my ex shouted. Still lingering in memories, I headed toward the passenger door as if I was going on the trip. But, there was a woman in my seat.
The word “co-parenting” can be a detriment. It is a mushy and loving word, but many people in these situations are not feeling mushy and loving. As a divorced co-parenting teacher and therapist, I often hear comments like: “It is absurd to think that we are ‘co-parenting’-- my ex is a bully and has no interest in compromising and communicating. How do you co-parent with someone who has no interest in co-parenting?”
Anyone who has ever tried to coparent with someone after a breakup or divorce knows that it's… kind of the worst thing ever.
By Jennifer A. Powell-Lunder, Psy.D. GalTime when parents embarrass their kids Before I even met Tabatha, I had already talked with her mom on the phone for over an hour.
![5 Ways Divorce Benefits Your Kids [EXPERTS]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/five_fingers.jpg "5 Ways Divorce Benefits Your Kids [EXPERTS]")
Contrary to popular belief, divorce isn't always negative for kids — sometimes it's excellent for kids. Here are five ways that your children can benefit from your divorce.
With divorce rates in America topping over 50%, the sad truth is that many parents will be faced with telling their children they are getting divorced. Divorce can have negative effects on children, but based on how it is handled, divorce can also have the potential of making family situations better. Kids are smart. Because the relationship has likely already shown signs of trouble, the news may not come as a complete shock to them. Some kids may even feel a confusing sense of relief. How and when to tell children is an important factor, however. Here are some guidelines to help.
