Month: January 2019

January 2019

What Every Single Parent Needs to Know About Estate Planning

January 29, 2019 / Children, Divorce Made Simple

It is estimated that one-third of American children live in a single-parent household, and single parents are well advised to create an estate plan that provides protection for their children. Having an estate plan can also provide you with welcome peace of mind. Here are the elements of an estate plan designed to help you protect your children: Will. A Will is a legal document that details your wishes for how your assets should be distributed after you die and designates a guardian for minor children. If you die without one, a Nebraska probate court will make those decisions for

The Sensitive Personal Information You Need to Share with Your Divorce Lawyer

January 28, 2019 / Divorce Made Simple

Divorce can not only be emotionally draining; there are times when it can be downright embarrassing. There may be some circumstances you experience that you wouldn’t even tell your best friend about. However, there is someone you should tell: your attorney. Here are five pieces of sensitive information you should definitely share with your divorce lawyer: You had an affair. Infidelity is one of the most common reasons why couples split, and if there has been infidelity in your marriage, you need to let your attorney know so he or she is not put at a disadvantage when defending your

Winter Icky Guy

January 25, 2019 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

I pull the thick flannel sheet a little higher over my shoulders without opening my eyes. As I lie on my side in the morning darkness, the temperature is in the single digits and the wind chill puts it below zero. Winter is really here. I roll on to my back with my eyes still closed. I snuggle more deeply into sheets and try my usual tricks. I mentally scan my body to notice how it feels. I consider the good that lies ahead in my day to have a flash of gratitude. I slowly wiggle my toes. My body

Winter Retreat

January 18, 2019 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

I slowly unpacked my essentials: Journal √ Stack of books√ Yoga mat√ Candle√ Herbal tea√ White satin slippers√ Each winter I take a solo retreat for reflection. While living alone gives me ample opportunity for solitude and sitting on my sofa, I know myself. Without a boundary of distance and drive time, my mind quickly reverts to my To Do list telling me I still have not hung that picture, organized those photos, or cleaned beneath my bed. Any call from a friend to see a good film easily becomes an excuse for not allowing myself time to ponder. I

Swanson’s Steps

January 17, 2019 / Doing Divorce

I thought it was a misprint. 14 children. I reread it. My logical mind struggled. I convinced myself “that must include grandchildren.” I was reading the obituary of a beloved Saint Cecilia Elementary teacher – Mrs. Margaret Swanson. She taught both of my daughters in their first grade years. Mrs. Swanson perfectly struck the near impossible balance of being both strict and sweet. She cherished her first graders and I have no doubt loved them wholeheartedly. I recall her showing extra patience with my spunky Sophia. It was during Sophia’s year that Mrs. Swanson received her cancer diagnosis. That would

Farewell, Precious Sisters

January 11, 2019 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

When I was a child, I rarely interacted with any of my extended family members. Uncle Leonard sporadically sat at our table for a fried chicken dinner. Two of my father’s sisters occasionally brought panic with unannounced visits to our home. And I cannot recall a single birthday, holiday, or wedding celebrated with a cousin. Four of my five brothers each gifted me a sister-in-law. Being wed I gained more. Marriage, divorce, death, and choice can determine who we declare family. One of my stepdaughters once referred to me as “my friend who married my father.” She was grown and

Confidence Comes Calling

January 4, 2019 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

The enthusiasm is palpable. I see energy in the actions. The new gym membership. The new meditation practice. The new juicer. My coaching calendar fills with appointments. Recovering from the holiday hullabaloo, we set our sights on the year ahead. Some set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-based) goals. Some identify intentions. Some resolve to be better or do better. Some simply pick a single word. One focus for the year. Regardless of the strategy, in a few weeks or a few months, many of us will have not only lost the zest of the new year, we will have