Aired Sunday, August 22, 2010 8 to 9 AM Eastern Time on www.CFRU.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario, Canada
When listening to our guests, I was reminded that our presumptions of people are rarely correct. When you think of “single parents”, do you have a particular type of person or situation in mind?
Together, our guests represent three different single parenting circumstances: co-parenting in different homes, single parenting (with sporadic involvement from the other parent), and sole parenting (when the other parent dies).
What are the specific challenges of single and sole parents?
How do single parents meet their needs for rest and support?
We talk about having the maturity to acknowledge our mistakes so that we can learn from them. We don’t have to have all the answers for ourselves or our kids. Instead, we can explore our grief, confusion, love, and be open to ask and receive support from others.
Air date: Sunday, June 20, 2010 || 8 to 9 AM Eastern on http://www.cfru.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Blending Families is not easy. Blended Families (step families) have specific challenges like: Navigating parenting differences; Guilt around prior relationships not working out and the impact on the children; Struggles with former spouses and expectations; Logistics around coordinating all the different needs and schedules for the children which often depend on custody agreements; and Money – when child support is not paid, and when Dads experience disparity between paying the former wife while also providing for his new family.
Parents in blended families often have a hard time making transitions from one home to another. How do we make those difficult transitions easier?
What do successful families do?
I expect you’ll learn a tip or two even if you don’t live in a blended family.
Along with training in Marital and Family Therapy, Child Development and Adolescence, Emily Bouchard has learned first hand what works and doesn’t work in Blended Families by being a Step-Mom to 2 teenagers. She helps people to be present to what’s in front of them and celebrate strengths so couples can create lasting, fulfilling relationships.
Aired: Sunday, January 24, 2010 || 8 to 9 AM ET on www.CFRU.ca 93.3 FM in Guelph
Line Brunet has a son from a previous marriage and lives with her new husband. Nearly half of North Americans are involved in some step-relationship. Line joins me in talking about the challenges of Step Families.
Having always been fascinated with human behaviour, potential and transformation, becoming a Life Coach was Line Brunet’s calling. Because of her own personal transformation, through family, career and health challenges, helping others do the same has become her passion. Line Brunet is a Certified Life Coach, Master Family Dynamics Coach, Master Spirit Life Coach and a member of the Certified Coaches Alliance as well as, Toastmasters International. A strong advocate for families, she hosts Family Focus on Blog Talk Radio every Thursday, 1 pm ET: www.blogtalkradio.com/familyfocuscoach
Living in a Step Family is a balancing act of grief, new family life, and navigating the maze of mixed feelings, different parenting styles, and the many relationships in your kid’s life. What are some of the do’s and don’ts?
How do you keep relationships with extended family?
Be open. Expect the unexpected. Develop good working relationships, communication skills, and problem solving skills.
I learn so much talking with Sharon Lewis and Julie Wise and I’m sure you’ll love them too. These ladies are both accomplished professional coaches who have first hand experience co-parenting kids after a divorce. 12 years ago, Sharon’s kids were 2 and 5 yrs. 16 years ago, Julie’s kids were 8 and 11 years.
“While moving through a divorce can seem like an insurmountable obstacle, for many parents it is just the beginning of a new and equally intimidating challenge, co-parenting your children. Hats off to all of you who have chosen to remain in your children’s lives as co-parents. It means both of you deeply care about your children and want to continue raising them in the least-disruptive possible manner.” Rosalind Sedacca
Julie Wiseis a life consultant and relationship coach, and the author of her forthcoming book “Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease“. She works with individuals, couples, families and workplace teams to build relationships, strengthen communication, and ease transitions. You can reach her at www.juliewiseconsulting.com or 519.894.1330.
Sharon Lewis helps people map out their leadership development as a Leadership Development and Team Effectiveness coach. She works with Managers, Leaders, and HR professionals in Technology, Manufacturing, and Service based businesses to create sustainable high performance, high functioning teams, and powerful corporate coaching programs. You can find her on the web at www.questiam.com.
I respect the courage and focus of parents who seek a secure family after divorce that values respectful communication, cooperation, and understanding. They manage to find a way to focus on taking care of their kids while resolving painful conflicts between the two of them. While many people think that divorce should be a fight to the bitter end, the results of a collaborative divorce are personalized, empowering, supportive, satisfying, and dignified.
Let’s dispel the myths:
MYTH 1 – families are “broken” if they live apart.
MYTH 2 – nobody ever wins
Collaborative Divorce and Separation is:
Efficient: it focuses on interests/needs and a satisfying resolution
Empowering: it creates a secure family environment after divorce. The kids are reassured “I’m always taken care of.” “My parents love me even though they don’t live with each other.” “I can love both my parents.” “My mom will always be my mom. My dad will always be my dad.” Parents develop a personalized plan: Parents know their family best. They identify strengths and resources so they do what works for them.
Effective: couples develop respectful communication skills and co-parenting strategies
Economical: it gets to the heart of the matter with deep empathy and non-judgmental understanding
it is Essentially the beginning of creating a new life for the family: Where are you going from here? What will your family look like? What will your new working relationship look like after the divorce so that your children’s needs can be met as they grow? How will you value and support your needs? What family values are important for each of you and for both of you?
In this show, we look at what it takes to do a collaborative divorce. This is an interview with: a couple who separated within the past year, a mother who has been separated for 3 years, and Wendy McDonnell.
What is a Collaborative Divorce?
1. If you work with lawyers from the beginning, lawyers and clients sign an agreement to work toward settlement and not go to court. Some clients work with divorce coaches, therapists, financial advisors, and/or mediators and bring their parenting plans and separation agreements to a lawyer for approval.
2. Each person hires collaborative support (divorce and career coaches, financial advisors, parenting specialists, therapists, mediators).
3. Everyone agrees on full disclosure of information. Divorce is a problem to solve, not a battle to win.
