My daughter got engaged on Christmas Eve and I was *honored* to be the first to know…that said, she isn’t always communicating with me on the wedding details. During this process, I’ve had to accept the fact that we are not a traditional family therefore, I’m not likely to be a traditional mother of the bride. It’s just a fact that comes along with divorce.

my rough sketch of the back of our old home. watching the videos took me inside and into the backyard again. it was almost exactly how i remembered it.

As many of you know, my marriage ended many moons ago. 2005 to be exact. The divorce dragged on as most do, but if we’re talking about the actual marriage, it ended thirteen years ago. My, how time flies.

Alana, me and Luke

They say if you raise your children right, you set their roots so they can later grow wings…or something to that effect. I’m thinking upon my son’s one year departure to Australia, that the wings may have grown too large, uplifting those roots. I guess that’s the idea though and no one is to blame

Well, as promised, I have finished reading and I’m ready to share with you my review of Dr. John T. Chirban’s Collateral Damage; Guiding and Protecting You Child Through the Minefield of Divorce. (And I thought the title of my book was long).  I was given two advance copies for an honest review and giveaway here at the blog. The book is slated for publication this month. That means, the books I have for the giveaway are pre-published editions and as such have no page numbers and the Foreward is not included. 

10 Tips to improve your Christmas post divorce, is something I think will help anyone coping with co-parenting issues over the holidays. One of the most difficult times of the year for divorced and broken families is undoubtedly the Christmas Season.  Especially the first couple of years when it is a time for re-building and transitioning the new family unit.  What makes this even harder is having  to let go of old traditions.  Also, Christmas memories from before the divorce are still raw.  Due to these changes in family dynamics, the holidays become a challenge and a tug of war between households.  Neither Mom nor Dad want to be alone during this time and the children inevitably get caught in the middle.

I have a treat for you today, Escapees. Grab a coffee and get to know Tara Eisenhard, author of a touching book about divorce from a rare point of view.  The D-Word; Divorce Through A Child’s Eyes is a must read for parents and teens alike.

“Food is an implement of magic, and only the cold hearted rationalist could squeeze the juices of life out of it and make it bland.” -Thomas Moore

When I was scrolling through my facebook feed a while back I came across this question; Which TV mom are you? I had to laugh. Immediately, I chose Lorelei Gilmore, not because of the young and hot factor. I wish. It’s her attitude and general outlook on life I can relate to. But I have to admit I see a little of myself in many of these beloved characters.

Isn’t that the brilliance of the writers who create these characters? They make our problems seem small or they make us say “Oh, so it isn’t just me…”

Let’s take a look at some of these TV moms and you tell me— which one are you?

Christy

You’re Christy from Mom if: You’re struggling to pay the bills, your mother lives with you and she likes to party more than you, you’re divorced, had a brief affair with your boss, you’re in rehab, you’re trying your best to protect your children from your crazy mother and other life disasters.