Month: April 2026

April 2026

Pieces of Parenthood

April 30, 2026 / Doing Divorce

I laughed out loud more than once while Sasha opened gifts at her baby shower. “Thank goodness you gave a toy, otherwise the baby would only have boxes to play in!” “Will this baby nighttime sound machine drown out the crying?” “Will I get to wear sleep sacs to bed, too?” I sensed her funny acknowledgments serving to mask her mounting anxiety about the birth date fast approaching. For this soon-to-be first time mom, each and every bow untied brought her closer to the realization that her baby would soon be here. The enormity of how her life was about

Mediation Mondays: The “First Year After Divorce” Guide

April 27, 2026 / Divorce Made Simple, Divorce Tips, Legal Process, Mediation Mondays

The first year after a divorce often brings a mix of relief, uncertainty, and adjustment. Even when the decision feels right, the shift from a shared household to separate lives can be emotionally disorienting. Many people experience waves of grief, frustration, or even guilt, alongside moments of stability and independence. These emotions tend to come in cycles rather than following a straight path, which can make the adjustment period feel unpredictable. On a practical level, the first year is often about rebuilding routines. Housing changes, financial restructuring, and parenting schedules all require ongoing adjustments. Simple tasks like coordinating school pickups

Accepting Influence

April 23, 2026 / Doing Divorce

I spy the basket full of folded newspaper pages. They are the pages pulled from The Oregon Coast Today and Lincoln City News Guard – two local papers my dad picks up from the grocery store on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In my six-month absence from a coastal visit, the accumulation is large. Comprised only of 5 star or highest difficulty puzzles, my dad has silently offered the challenge and I feel wonderfully loved. It takes me back to the beginning of this tradition with my dad from another spring break visit with him on the coast. Eleven years ago, when

Mediation Mondays: How to Handle Extracurricular Activities in Your Parenting Plan

April 20, 2026 / Children, Divorce Made Simple, Divorce Tips, Legal Process, Mediation Mondays

Extracurricular activities can play an important role in a child’s development, offering opportunities for social growth, discipline, and confidence. After a divorce, however, coordinating these activities can become more complicated when parents are managing two households and separate schedules. Including clear expectations about extracurricular activities in your parenting plan can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure your child continues to enjoy the activities that matter to them. One important consideration is how decisions about activities will be made. Some parenting plans specify that both parents must agree before a child enrolls in a new activity, while others allow each parent to

My Busy Brain

April 16, 2026 / Doing Divorce

It started slowly. I started getting sick to my stomach prior to plane trips. And then I was nauseous on road trips. The triggers were random and illogical given my lifelong love of travel. It took me a while to notice and connect the dots given my travel time was no less than months in between trips. When additional triggers started, I decided I should see a doctor (after my mom told me to). I had good blood pressure, my pulse was also normal, and the blood panel results showed a solid row of normal. She asked about my lifestyle.

Mediation Mondays: How to Communicate with Your Co-Parent After Divorce

April 13, 2026 / Children, Divorce Made Simple, Divorce Tips, Mediation Mondays

Effective communication with your co-parent after divorce is essential for creating stability and consistency for your children. While emotions may still be high following a separation, focusing on respectful, child-centered communication can help both parents work together more effectively. Keeping conversations focused on your children’s needs, schedules, and well-being can help reduce unnecessary conflict and make co-parenting smoother for everyone involved. One helpful strategy is to keep communication clear, direct, and respectful. Sticking to the facts and avoiding emotionally charged language can prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary arguments. Many co-parents find it useful to communicate through text, email, or co-parenting apps

Preparing to be Unprepared

April 9, 2026 / Doing Divorce

I found myself careening down a mountain, my hands gripping the steering wheel, and rarely uttered prayers slipping out of my mouth up toward the heavens. The gas gauge read 0 miles. Zero. None. No more. I had already gone 7 miles on 0 miles of gas left in my tank and panic was setting in. This had never happened to me. By sheer will alone I am sure, I coasted into a tiny gas station in middle-of-nowhere Oregon to refill my tank. I started to cry once I plugged the gas pump into my tank. Pure relief and something more surprising washed over