*This article first appeared on more.ca

Have you ever stopped to ponder why the divorce rate has risen so dramatically over the past 50 years? When my parents married in the 1950s the divorce rate was minimal. According to Statistics Canada, in 1951 there were only 5,270 divorces in all...

The massive storm and colossal damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy caused major devastation for many. Yet, despite the pounding that so many experienced, the outpouring of help I read about was admirable, illustrating the importance of standing up in the face of adversity and supporting one another. The media did...

Make no mistake; divorce is upper case Emotional. When I decided to leave my marriage, I could not imagine how I would ever say the "d" word to my children or spell out how their lives would change. While I accepted whole-heartedly that my priority was to put my children's...

The calendar year starts in September for many families, and along with that comes many adjustments. One of the most serious fall-outs of divorce may be a diminished child-parent relationship.

What happens when you're a kind, loving, caring parent whose relationship has been downgraded for what seems like no...

Research indicates that too few parents sit down and explain to their children that their marriage is ending. They also don't encourage their children to ask questions. Parents often say nothing, leaving their children confused. When parents do not explain what's happening, the children feel anxious, upset and lonely and...

Divorce or the breakdown of a relationship is an extremely emotional process. People are often confused, filled with fear and unsure of how to navigate the process. Their world is turned upside down, triggering unsettling and distressful emotions. The effects of the emotional distress in the workplace can be devastating.

Living in the province of Ontario, I am fortunate to have the day off on February 20 because of the statutory holiday "Family Day". This holiday was created because the provincial government felt that "there is nothing more valuable to families than time together. And yet it seems tougher than ever...

This article first appeared on more.ca

It was a dream-like experience. Upon returning from a weekend away with our children, the bedroom closets were empty -- my husband, now my ex, had moved out. He took the fabulous living room furniture that we had purchased not...

Did you know that divorce is a process?

di·vorce (dĭ-vôrs′, -vōrs′) n. the legal dissolution of a marriage; v. to sever the marital relationship with a spouse by a judgment or decree of divorce.

If divorce were as straightforward as the dictionary definition, the process would be a whole lot...

A client came into my office the other day in tears. She was just about to sign papers to purchase her new home, but was now feeling unsure of her decision. My client was in the middle of negotiating her financial agreement and wanted to prepare herself for the fresh...

Children often have difficulty with a divorced parent's first move into the dating world. Many children, no matter how old, fantasize about mommy and daddy getting back together and becoming part of one big happy family again. While deep down your children know fantasy will likely not become a reality,...

This article first appeared on more.ca http://www.more.ca/relationships/single-life/when-your-ex-has-someone-new/a/18818

"How could I have been replaced so quickly!" my friend Beth wondered.

We were discussing her husband's soon-to-be new wife; she felt shock and disbelief as to how he could find a new "serious" partner so soon after their divorce.

Our ex-spouses' new...

While it sounds rather obvious, picking the partner that's right for you is a sure fire way to keep the love flame burning and your marriage last.

As a divorce consultant and educator, I've learned so much about why relationships don't work -- and the bottom line answer is...

The Jewish High Holidays are just days away, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'm sure many are counting down the shopping days until Christmas. Celebrating holidays can be a stressful time when you're divorced -- but it doesn't need to be.

If you find yourself...

"It's the weekend and once again, I am dreading the feeling of being alone." I hear this sentiment expressed all too often from many divorcées -- be it at the beginning of their separation, or from those that have been divorced for years.

Is it possible to embrace the...

As I prepare my children to transition from the spontaneity of life in the summer to the structure of school, it occurred to me that they need to get back into a routine. Not only is it important for our children to be in the habit of schedules, but the...

While shopping one day with a friend, we can across a top we both loved--one size fits all. Could we both wear the same top and look fabulous? It sort of fit us both, but it didn't look quite right on either of us.

For most things in life, one...

It's tough enough for kids to go back to school, and it's even harder for the children of parents who are separated or divorcing. Kids may worry that their lives will change dramatically or that they will be forced to move away. Toss in the butterflies that come with a...

Do you remember The Brady Bunch? Mike Brady marries Carol Martin; they each bring into this second marriage three children (three boys, three girls), and this blended family of eight live happily ever after. And don't forget Alice, the live-in housekeeper, keeping it all together and running smoothly. Little conflict,...

"I need to stand by my brother; we can't be friends any more."

This is a moment Ashley had with her friend--and soon to be ex-sister-in-law. A bond nourished for over 23 years was broken. There were tears and hugs, but the closure was hard to accept. Why does divorce...