Parenting

Do You Have to Go to Court for Parenting Matters? Smarter Ways to Resolve Family Conflict “Do I have to go to court?”  It is one of the first questions people ask when separation becomes difficult.  Court is often seen as the default. The final step. The inevitable outcome when agreement feels out of reach. But in most family law matters, going to court is not the starting point. And it is often not the best option.  There are

Does Child Support Change If I Remarry? What You Need to Know Before You Say “I Do” Again Remarrying can feel like a fresh start. But for separated parents, a new marriage does not exist in isolation. It sits alongside existing financial responsibilities, parenting arrangements and legal obligations that do not disappear simply because you have moved forward. One of the most common questions we are asked is this: If I remarry, does my child

Parenting Through Separation: Putting Your Children First Separation is a life-altering event—not just for you, but also for your children. As a parent, you’re likely navigating your own emotional landscape while trying to provide stability and reassurance for your child. It’s not easy, but with the right tools, mindset, and support, you can guide your child through this transition with care and confidence.  This blog outlines how separation can affect children, shares practical strategies for

How to Help Your Kids Manage in a Difficult Relationship Situation Children can have unique and deeply personal experiences when it comes to difficult or complex family relationships, including family violence. They may directly experience physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse. They can also be subjected to threatening and coercive behavior. Importantly, even if your children witness or are exposed to violence directed at you, this too is considered family violence. The Impact on Kids

How Kids Respond to Conflict In the early 2000s, Tamara Afifi, a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, began researching the impact of divorce on children. Fifteen years later, in 2017, she shared a powerful moment from her research that left a significant impression on her. What Are Your Kids Thinking? As part of her research, Tamara spent hours in families’ homes, interviewing them to understand the children’s

Talk And Talk More, And Listen As your family changes through separation or divorce, it’s crucial for kids to understand what’s happening. Don’t shy away from talking to them just because you don’t know what to say, or because you’re worried about upsetting them. The truth is, the separation is already on their minds. Sometimes, simply talking about it can be a huge relief. That said, sometimes kids just don’t want to talk. You may

What is Parental Alienation? Parental alienation can be difficult to define and even more challenging to identify. At its core, it refers to the actions of one parent that intentionally or unintentionally prevent a child from maintaining a relationship with their other parent. This can happen when one parent influences their children to reject or distance themselves from the other parent, even when the children have no valid reason to do so. If you’re navigating

How Are Unreported Tax Returns Fueling Economic Abuse in Child Support? Child support is essential for ensuring that children of separated parents receive the financial support they need. However, a troubling issue often goes unnoticed: some parents’ failure to submit their tax returns. This tactic, used to evade paying the correct amount of child support, can have devastating effects on the custodial parent, often perpetuating economic abuse. The Extent of the Problem Recent reports reveal

Conversations to Have with Your Kids During Separation Separation and divorce can be challenging for everyone in the family, especially for children. They might not always feel comfortable talking to their parents about their feelings, so it’s crucial to foster open communication and support their relationships with other trusted adults. Here are some key points to consider when helping your kids through this difficult time. Encourage Trusted Relationships We often hope our kids will come

What should you do to help your kids respond to conflict? What should you do to help your kids respond to conflict? Firstly, it can help to give kids time, and then explain, and then just listen.  Try to think about and remember that you are probably on a different timetable to your children when it comes to healing from a separation. It may be that you have been grieving the end of your marriage

Helping Your Kids Cope With Change Helping Your Kids Cope With Change Doing your best to give your kids a ‘heads up’ before changes happen is key to helping them adjust to their new future. The more lead time they get, the better off they’ll be.   Help them adjust. If you’re moving homes, explore the new neighborhood together before the moving truck pulls up. Working at a new job? Take your kids to your new