There are few guidelines for stepmothers and stepfathers about how to understand child development or to parent effectively, instantly. They jump into middle of a kid's development and try to make sense of it. Usually with little support.

I have a true partner in my ex-husband, who is a devoted and loving father.

You might wonder how she could say such a thing, but she stuck to her story for eight years.

There is life after divorce, I promise you. And there is, believe it or not, joy.

In divorcing, I signed up for a lifetime of phone calls from vacations I'm not on, of car doors closing as my boys leave, of never getting to celebrate Father's Day for my father or husband with them present. It's a lifetime of separations.

Here are 10 secret strategies that can help you create a better relationship with your ex.

When you're three hours into a six-hour flight and the flight attendant randomly announces, "Everyone please put your seats to the upright position and your tray tables up", that can only mean one thing; you are landing.

Eating well can be challenging for the average, busy, multi-tasking person. But eating healthily in the days following a separation? Nearly impossible.

If your partner is thinking of leaving you, here are some tips to help you navigate this painful chapter.

Once upon a time, I told my then-husband I wanted a divorce a few days after Thanksgiving. That first December was hard. This is what I've learned since then about the first post-split holiday season, and I offer it to you.

It is not uncommon for families to delay taking steps toward separation until after the holidays are over. For many, this can mean sadness, tension and worry that their children may be affected by the breakdown of the relationship.

As time went on and my marriage became even rockier, I began to question the way I was observing my faith.

I began to question if I had been truly honest about what really happened in our marriage. I had never asked myself the most important question of all: What role had I played in it not working out?

For many years after the divorce, I rented a house for one week before the high season so we could assemble to be together -- the children with each other, the children with Mom.

The start of school year is much more complex for divorced or blended families than intact ones.

I came to the realization that trying to blend our very different personalities, beliefs and visions was pointless.

All eyes worldwide are on London for the 2012 summer Olympic Games. I thought this might be an opportune time to examine divorce -- British style.

Although we've been separated for two years, I still have a hard time facing the fact that I was cast out and replaced by another woman. It's like watching a movie in which someone else lives my life.