Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Life Is a Picture

Life is a picture
People paint for themselves;
To put on display
Or to stick on a shelf

They may hide it from others,
Let it gather some dust,
Or they may show it off proudly,
Accepting praise if they must.

As the picture is formed
With each stroke of the brush,
One can tell if a person
Took it slowly or rushed.

I say to not stress about
Profit or gain
But appreciate life
And enjoy each new day.

Take a walk in the country
Or swim in a lake,
And trust in the Lord
From the moment you awake.

It is He who decides
How long we shall live,
So let's enjoy each new day
As we live it with Him.
Photo: all-free-download.com



© Cari Kissel (first written as a teenager in 1978...edited 2013)

Friday, December 20, 2013

No Longer the Victim

I don't need to be a victim.
I don't want to confess my pain.
I don't need to share my heartaches -
I want my dignity back again!!

I will no longer place blame with others
For the things they "should not have" done -
I'm responsible for the present.
I will leave the past alone.

I can't blame my loving family,
Nor my friends, nor someone else,
For the problems in my life - 
I am responsible for myself!!

"Woe is me" is gone forever
From my mouth, where once was home
To a host of negativity,
And where self-pity was free to roam.

I cannot change my history,
Nor undo the wrongs done unto me.
But I can make my future brighter,
By being the best that I can be.

For life's too precious to waste it fretting
Over events of yesterday.
I will live for every moment
And judge my life for just today!!


© Cari Kissel (first written in 1994...edited in 2013)

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

The Colors of Christmas: Red, Green...and Blue?

Photo: all-free-download.com
When people think of Christmas, what are the images that come to mind? The smell of cinnamon & pine, & of cookies right out of the oven? How about presents underneath a decorated tree? 

For me, I think of my childhood & young adult years, & Christmases spent at my parents' home. I recall how my parents never spoiled their six children, except on Christmas. We usually had a fresh 6-foot Douglas Fir, decked out with tinsel garland & ball ornaments, some of which were over 40 years old. 

The presents under the tree would stretch out several feet beyond the tree because with six kids, & multiple grandkids & great-grandkids, plus with each of us putting presents for others under that same tree, it was quite the sight on Christmas morning.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Things That Go Bump in the Night

I am an insomniac. According to a sleep study I once had, my "awake brain" likes to stay active when my body is asleep. That makes for a restless enough night's sleep as it is. But when after staying up till 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning, & having turned off all the lights & finally being able to crawl into bed, trying carefully not to wake my husband, things start to go bump in the night.

Being Cold, California Style

I am a cold woosie. I admit it. I don't like the cold. I don't like being cold. I don't like being out in the cold. I can't look at snow without feeling cold. I don't want to look at a snowy scene on a Christmas card - it's that bad....really. I don't even like to consume cold things unless I'm warm at the time I'm consuming them. I don't mind a cold ice pack on my neck when I have a headache, but I need to be warmly dressed. Me & cold weather do not mix. Heck, I'm sitting here late at night shivering, because the outside temperature is 42 degrees with 81% humidity, & it feels like the Arctic tundra inside my home! Put me in the middle of the desert on a warm day though, & I'll be fanning myself to get cool, but at least I won't be cold! Bah humbug, I guess, when it comes to cold weather & snow.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Jilted Would-Be Bride Sues Her Ex & Wins

I just finished reading a news story about a woman in Georgia who successfully won a judgment against her former "fiance" because he broke off the engagement. Apparently he committed a breach of promise to marry, & he has to pay her $50,000. When I first read that, I was appalled that a court would hand down such a judgment. But then I read on....

Friday, December 6, 2013

She Talks Too Much!!!

To the men out there, did the title of this post grab your attention? Can you identify with the sentiment? When it comes to men & women, it's a well-known fact that women tend to talk more than men do. Of course there are exceptions, but on average, women speak about 20,000 words per day, compared to men, who speak an average of about 7,000 words per day. I think my family members would say I top the charts at over 100,000 words per day. That's just a guess, but I'm likely not far off the mark! I try & I try to use less words, but it's just so difficult.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Remember Paul Walker, but Others Too

The death of every human being is a loss. Sometimes it may seem that one person's death is more important than another's. Why just this morning, I heard the traffic reporter on the radio say that a huge section of the freeway had been closed because someone jumped to their death off a freeway overpass. How tragic & very sad for that person's family who has to cope with their loved one's suicide, especially during the holidays at this time of year. This person's death will not make national headlines. Only those who knew this person, & those who heard the traffic report, will be aware of this individual's death.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Venting, & Other Healthy Habits

It's been awhile since I've written anything here. I haven't felt like writing. Writing for me, is cathartic. It soothes the soul. It ignites something in me that I am passionate about. It gets me motivated to encourage someone else in some way or another. But I've been dead. Too much stress. Too much on my plate & feeling overwhelmed.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Adopting a Shelter Pet is Worth It

Today, as I am typing this, my little dog Maggie is lying down on the hard wooden floor, resting near our cat Ella's litter box. I have no idea why she likes to sleep near where our cat does her business. Meanwhile, Ella is lying all cozy & snug in Maggie's dog bed. Why Ella chooses to steal Maggie's bed when she could easily apply her cat's agile "springs for feet" aeronautics to jump up onto our bed, the couch, or any high surface she chooses, is beyond me. I can only surmise that stealing Maggie's dog bed is Ella's way of enacting vengeance for those times when Maggie steals Ella's cat food.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Having a Dog With Cancer

Animals are awesome. They have the amazing ability to feel discomfort, yet still act as if nothing is wrong. I mean, there are dogs hobbling around on 3 legs, acting as if it's a perfectly normal thing. People on the other hand, whine & fuss, complain & evoke sympathy, when we are in pain, sick with the flu, or just don't "feel right". When we're not feeling well, most people know it.....unless we have the physical stamina of an animal, & can hide our discomfort well.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Guilt

Photo courtesy of: all-free-download.com
When we mess up, we shouldn't dwell on feeling guilty. What....you say??? That makes no sense! While feelings of guilt & remorse are supposed to prick our conscience & help us to see how our actions may have affected someone else in a negative way, & while such feelings are useful in helping us to learn from what we said or did & to try not to repeat our mistakes, focusing on the guilt & not the lesson learned, serves no good purpose. It benefits no one.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Happy Birthday!!!



Photo courtesy of: all-free-download.com

Today marks my first birthday, of my new life. Once upon a time, I stopped celebrating my birthday. Some pretty bad stuff happened on this day, & the day before, back in 2004. When these things happened, I decided then & there, that I would never celebrate my birthday again, because I didn't want to be reminded of the things that occurred on that day. I didn't want anyone to even mention to me that it was my birthday.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Friday, September 27, 2013

Where to Draw the Line

How can you tell if something that someone says or does is the last straw, or if it's just something very unpleasant, but tolerable? How do you know when to say "enough is enough!" & draw that line in the sand that says you will not tolerate something any longer? That is a topic that I have thought about a lot in the last ten years of my life, & something I sometimes have a hard time identifying, when certain situations come along.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Stop and Smell the Roses

Sometimes when people are perky & happy, & life never seems to get them down, it's hard to be around them. It's easy to wonder how it is that they always manage to have a smile on their face.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Forgiveness

My friend Kelly writes a blog. Kelly writes from her heart, & her posts are quite entertaining. Why am I talking about Kelly, you may ask? Because she inspired me. 
Kelly knew I was feeling a bit hurt because it seemed as if 
nobody cared about the things I had to say. 
She reminded me that writing can be cathartic, & that the motive for writing should be because I enjoy doing so. So with that in mind, this post is from my heart. I want to share some thoughts on the topic of forgiveness.
~~~~~~~~~~

Monday, September 9, 2013

Glass Is Half Full

***This post has been edited for clarification, after reader feedback. Please see edit at the bottom of this post.***


"Why hello there! Fine day isn't it?"
"How are you today?"
"How may I help you?"
"C'mon, turn that frown upside down!"
"Do you want fries with that?"

Do you ever feel irritated when you wake up on the wrong side of bed & just aren't ready to greet the day, & you come across someone who is just SO PERKY  & FULL OF ENERGY? Uggh!! Often times, these people will be wearing a smile on their face that looks like it was painted on because they have no facial lines that go in the opposite direction. They may say hello, give the customary "how are you", & then if you say you're tired or that you wish it was Friday already, they chastise you & say "cheer up....it's a beautiful day...the day has just begun....your day will be what you make it!". They may be wondering who poured vinegar in your corn flakes, all while you may be thinking of ways to shove those corn flakes up their nose! Perky people can be so annoying, right?

Friday, September 6, 2013

ABUSERS, TAKE NOTE - Part 2

Just the other day, I published a post titled "ABUSERS, TAKE NOTE!!" I was inspired to write that post because I have a dear friend who is experiencing emotional & verbal abuse, & her abuser is extremely controlling - so controlling in fact, that he determines things such as when the TV is allowed to be on, what setting the air conditioner MUST be set at, what is bought at the store, etc., & he is the one who sets the tone for the home. I have spent probably hundreds of hours trying to help my friend over the course of the past couple of years, because she has been dealing with this for such a long time. "Why doesn't she just leave?" you say? There are many reasons why a victim of abuse doesn't leave the abusive relationship. There are so many reasons in fact, that I have included just a few of the reasons why an abuse victim may not leave the abusive relationship:

Thursday, September 5, 2013

ABUSERS, TAKE NOTE!!!

Today, I'm writing about something that is heavy on my heart & mind. It concerns the topic of abuse.  This topic is such a huge one, that there are so many things that could be said. Volumes & volumes of books dedicated to the subject of abuse, have been written. For now, I will stick to the subject of abuse in a romantic relationship, although what I say could apply to platonic & friendship relationships as well.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

What Are We Teaching Our Sons?

I wrote a post recently about what we are teaching our daughters. Of course I don't want to neglect the topic of what we are teaching our sons. Today more than ever, it is crucial that we show our kids how to survive in this increasingly cut-throat world we live in, as well as to grow up to be the kind of men & women that they are meant to be.

Monday, September 2, 2013

What Are We Teaching Our Daughters? Take Miley Cyrus, for Example

I am quite sure that most people are over & done with hearing about Miley Cyrus' recent VMA performance. I know that I am! So I only reference it here to make a point about what we are teaching our daughters today. When my teenage daughter was a young girl, she was a huge Miley Cyrus fan. By huge, I mean that she had the backpack, bedspread & sheets, posters, CDs, clothes.....you name it, she had it. She was Miley Cyrus obsessed.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Boundaries

Growing up as a shy girl, I was too afraid to stand up for myself because I lacked the courage, for one thing, & for another, I didn't want to hurt someones feelings. As I got older, I began to realize that while I'm worrying about not wanting to hurt someones feelings, I'm forgetting that the person I need to stand up to, is not worrying about hurting mine. So begins my epiphany.....

What Is Family, Anyway?

This is a subject that is close to my heart. I want to share how my views on what constitutes "family", has changed in recent years, because I am beginning to realize that the older I get, the more my perspectives on so many things I thought were set in stone, have actually changed.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Respect

This is a long post. Brace yourselves.......

Respect was important, as I was growing up. If any of my 5 siblings or I showed disrespect toward my parents, we either got "the look" from my father, the "I'm very disappointed in you" from my mother, a spanking on the bottom (depending upon the degree of disrespect), or we were made to brush our teeth with a bar of soap (reserved for times of extreme sassing, such as the time when I yelled at the top of my lungs that I hated my father's guts, just because he scolded me for being sloppy when I was drying the dishes). Before anyone cries "ABUSE!!", let me just say that I never felt abused as a child. I grew up in a very loving home, by two very wonderful parents. My parents loved me enough to discipline me when I needed it. Back then, parents weren't afraid to discipline their kids, because it was called good parenting. I felt secure & safe because I knew what my boundaries were, & I knew my parents cared enough about me to set them.

Abortion - A Woman's Right to Choose?

This is a sensitive topic, but hey, I have a tab on my blog page for social issues, & what's the point of having such a tab, if I don't place many posts within it, right? I want to talk about abortion, because it IS such a hot topic today. Please bear in mind when you read my words, that I refuse to bash anyone, be disrespectful toward those of differing viewpoints, or show judgment toward anyone who has ever had an abortion or considered having one. That said, I want to talk about abortion from my own personal perspective. It is my hope that whether or not one agrees with my views, that I may be accorded the same respect for sharing them, as I am attempting to show to others here. I am merely trying to give some food for thought on a topic that causes so much debate & strong emotion.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Why Do I Talk Too Much??

You know, I talk too much. I know, shocking isn't it? Hard to believe, I'm sure! It's true though. I've been trying to figure out why I do that, especially because it can be very off-putting to a lot of people. People see my name on their caller ID & they decide whether or not they have the time to take my call. My own son doesn't even read my Facebook messages to him if they're really long, & will only skim over the highlights. I can't blame him. Who wants to go on Facebook to have a little fun, post a few funnies or thought-provoking items, catch up with how people are doing, & then be stuck reading a single message for ten minutes? Not me! Heck, if I don't have the time or inclination to read something for several minutes, I won't even open the message. That's because Facebook tells the author of the message when the recipient has viewed it, & I don't want someone to think I read their message but didn't care enough to reply, when perhaps I just didn't have the time to reply right away.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Greater Is He!

I look above to the Lord Most High
And thank Him for each day
That I have been so blessed with life
And with the love He gave.

I thank Him for the fact that I 

Can see & I can hear;
And I can feel His presence
Whenever He is near.

Common Sense

This is a post on common sense. You know, that thing that people are equipped with but so often forget to use? Common sense is like one of those 10-in-one gadgets that does a hundred different things with one device. It comes in handy to have, & if one doesn't use it, they can still accomplish their goal, but they might make a mess in the process.

The first item on the menu is the appetizer. The little snack, to satiate those hunger pangs until the main course arrives.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Manners? What Manners?

Our society has lost its manners.  I don't post the following examples of bad manners in order to be negative, because who likes negativity, right? I'm only posting it because I figured that if enough people can relate to being frustrated at some of these examples, then maybe together, we can try to make a difference, so that we can bring some semblance of manners back to our society:
  • Driver stops for pedestrian who is crossing illegally in front of him. Driver behind honks rudely at first driver, all because he was in a hurry. He could care less about the pedestrian.
  • Customer unloads full shopping cart & angrily disputes the price of several items. Customer hands cashier multiple items that she no longer wants, leaving it for store employees to put back. Customer takes her time to pay for her purchase, being completely oblivious to the fact that she has inconvenienced cashier, as well as the line full of people she kept waiting behind her. 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Her Halo's Too Small

Her wings are too small for her shoulders.
She can't get her feet off the ground.
Her halo's too small for her head - 
It's not big enough to fit 'round!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

What I've Learned From My Pets

From Pepsy

When I was eleven years old, my parents gave me a fluffy bundle of cute for my birthday. I named my new puppy Pepsy. What I've learned from that wonderful little dog in the 15 years I was blessed to be able to have her in my life is:

  • Give a puppy a bed & some snuggling, & they'll give you a lifetime of hugs
  • Teach a dog to say she's sorry, & you'll be the one feeling bad when she wraps her legs around your neck & presses her face to yours, as she's trying to say "please don't be mad at me; I didn't mean to go potty on the carpet"
  • A dog can catch another animal for sport, & not kill it, but instead let it go. Humans can learn a lot from that.
  • Don't catch a frog with your mouth, unless you want a foamy mouth.
  • Going to the vet, like going to the doctor, is unpleasant, yet necessary.
  • Who cares what others think about how you look, when YOU know you're fabulous!
  • It doesn't matter if you're little - you can still make your voice heard.
  • When you want something badly enough, jump high until you get it!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Ahh the Romance....Oops, Where Did it Go?

This post is a no-brainer, but something that people struggle with all the time. While I have a Bachelor of Arts degree, it is in Business Administration, not in any area related to psychology, counseling, sociology, or any other field that would qualify me to dispense advice & give counsel to people. Lacking such credentials, I am often surprised when people come to me for relationship advice. I'm speaking of couples who are having repetitive issues that they can't seem to work out on their own - not those with a need to vent, who are seeking the advice of a friend.

A Blessing For Dad

We're sorry to hear the sad news
Of your 70th birthday today.
Our deepest condolences are with you,
And we'll pray for you each new day.

We'll pray that your eyesight won't fail you,
And that arthritis won't set in your bones -
That you won't be afflicted with maladies,
Like ulcers, arthritis and stones!

May your days ahead not get shorter.
May the hair not fall out of your head.
May you live to see your next birthday
Before you fall over dead.

If what we've said is depressing,
Take comfort from the words of your peers:
According to Noah and Methuselah,
"You are young for all of your years!"



© Cari Kissel 1994 *This poem was written for my father's birthday in 1994

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Pardon Me, Your Self-Esteem is Showing

Today boys & girls, we are going to talk about body image & self-esteem. Yes, it may seem like a silly topic for a blog post, but in flipping through the channels on our TV, & glancing at magazine covers as I'm waiting in line to check out at the grocery store, it has become so evident that this is a topic which does not receive enough attention. One only has to look at the tabloid magazine covers to see how much our society is drawn to images of celebrities being made fun of for having visible cellulite while wearing a bikini, or other magazine covers to learn the secret of losing weight & keeping it off.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Introductions Please

I really don't think I'm all that different from anyone else. I have however, had some experiences that you just don't hear about every day. When I decided to write a blog, it was because people have told me that they've been encouraged or inspired by things I've shared, & I thought that just as I am encouraged by the experiences of others, maybe something I share can touch someone as well.

Stop Taking Offense Already!!!

We live in a litigious society, where people are bringing about lawsuits, from the most trivial of perceived offenses to the most extreme. Once upon a time, a lawsuit was a last resort measure taken when all other attempts to resolve disputes have failed. Today, one simply has to be offended at something that someone said, & then out come the "victims", sure they have been grievously wronged, & the only way that there can be any measure of recompense, is if the "wronged" party is rewarded for their victim status in either a court of law, or a court of public opinion.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

On Being Shy

About age 9-10 Elementary School
Yarn - wasn't just for knitting!
I grew up painfully shy - so shy in fact, that I embarrassed my parents each time they introduced me to someone & I would turn my back to that person. When I was in Girl Scouts as a child, I had no friends to hang out with, because I was just too embarrassed to talk to anyone. I remember how at Girl Scout Camp, a scout leader asked me my name. I told her my name was Carol, which was my actual name (instead of Cari, that I go by now), but I said it so softly, that she thought I said Karen. I was Karen for the duration of my time at camp, & I lacked the courage to speak up & tell people otherwise. It's a terrible thing to be shy. You feel trapped in a prison of your own making, yet despite the fact that you have the power to unlock the door, you don't know how to do so.

Monday, August 5, 2013

My Pepsy

Me, Pepsy (in front), & my sister's sweet dog Frosty. 
I've obscured my friend's image behind me, out of 
respect for her privacy.  
I'll never forget my birthday in 1972. I was eleven years old. My parents had surprised me with a tiny, brownish-black, squirming bundle of cute. I remember the delight I had when that little puppy entered my world. I loved drinking soda back then...still do. Although I am a Coke drinker now, the cola brand that graced our refrigerator shelves when I was growing up, was Pepsi. Not being quite sure what to name my new puppy, somehow, the color of her fluffy fur reminded me of the color of the Pepsi in our fridge. Of course I didn't want to spell my puppy's name the same way that the cola was spelled, so her name became Pepsy instead.  

Perfect Breeze

The perfect breeze, neither warm nor cold
On an early autumn day
Carries with it, thoughts of old
And memories of yesterday.

It primes the heart to think of
Those we love, we miss, we mourn,
And in its gentle softness,
It will hug, remind or warn.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

On Being the Mother of a Soldier: Part 3

My father in his Marine uniform
during WWII, with my grandmother
Mothers have been doing this since almost the beginning of time. They have been saying goodbye to their children, as they head off to war, not knowing if they'd ever return. I am no different. The methods of warfare may have changed through the centuries, but the emotions a mother (or a father) feels remain the same.  Let me just start this post by emphatically stating that there is no way that I could possibly have any clue what it is like to be a soldier or a member of any military branch for that matter.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Calling All Christians: On Hypocrisy - Part 2

I have been a Christian since I was about ten years old. I made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into my heart with full knowledge & comprehension about my decision. I remember being baptized, in the Baptist church that my family attended, when I was around twelve years old. We were supposed to choose someone who touched our lives, to read a scripture verse before the pastor baptized us. I remember that I couldn't decide between my father or my mother, & not wanting to hurt the feelings of either one, I chose the neighbor across the street. Well, that ended up hurting both my parents' feelings. My good intentions caused my parents to be hurt. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Calling All Christians: On Hypocrisy

Google the words "why do Christians always", & you will be met with links to websites where people are asking "why are Christians always so judgmental?", or "why do Christians always try to convert atheists?", or "why do Christians always try to shove their beliefs down my throat?". The list goes on. I would venture to guess that the title of this post will grab the attention of not just Christians, but of non-Christians alike. This may be due to the simple fact that there is a high likelihood that someone out there may have been hurt to the point of bitterness, by someone claiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The title of this post serves to remind all Christians, myself included, that as followers of Christ, we should conduct ourselves in such a way as to bring honor to Jesus, not turn people away from Him. It also is intended to pique the curiosity of non-Christians, who may be wondering just what admonishment this Christian has for her fellow believers.

Monday, July 29, 2013

My Brother Randy, My "Pumpkin"

I grew up in the 1960's & 1970's, & back then, we listened to music on the stereo. Instead of popping in a CD, we pulled out the vinyl record & put it on the record player. I can remember all the times my brother Randy would ask for a "new needle", because he played so many records & moved that needle so many times, that it would often break. Randy was born with Down Syndrome. That meant that he was born with an extra chromosome, & with common characteristics that he shared with others who had Down's, such as almond-shaped eyes, shorter stature, stubby fingers, a high palate in the mouth, & of course, mental retardation. Anyway, Randy loved music. He loved it so much, that you could be a block away, & hear John Denver, Neil Diamond, The Beach Boys, & other singers of the time at decibels that would make an airport runway seem quiet!

An Army Mom's Song (adapted from an old nursery rhyme)

Oh where, oh where has my little boy gone?
Oh where, oh where can he be?
With his big brown eyes & his innocent smile,
Oh where, oh where can he be?

He's grown up tall, he's not a boy anymore
His eyes have seen many things
How I wish I could protect him from all of life's trials,
Oh where, oh where can he be?

Enough Already!!!

What once was right, is now what's wrong,
And what was wrong, is right.
And those who love God must try to stay strong,
For freedom of religion is no longer their right.

For if they practice their faith & hold true to their heart
They are labeled as bigots, & set far apart.
Set apart from the mainstream, whose direction flows with the tide...
Whichever direction the tide flows, that's the direction they ride.

On Being the Mother of a Soldier - Part 2

Arriving at Fort Knox
(faces & details obscured for Opsec reasons)
The day my son Justin first arrived at Fort Knox, Kentucky for his Basic Training, was a difficult one for him obviously, but also for me, for his stepfather & for his sister. It was on that day that I realized that my son, my child (albeit my grown child, but my child just the same), was no longer within my sphere of protection & that I no longer had any control over what happened to him. He was a new Private, with the rank of PV2. His was one rank below a PFC, or Private First Class, but a Private nonetheless, with all the treatment that goes along with being the lowest rank in the Army. I knew that he was going to have a difficult time at Basic Training, as they all do. 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

On Being the Mother of a Soldier - Part 1

My sister once gave me a journal, on the day we had a going-away get-together for my son Justin (who has given me permission to use his name) shortly before he left for Army Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY in 2010. With great intention, I wanted to write my feelings down in the book each time I felt the pangs of worry or the swell of pride for my son. I found myself paralyzed with the inability to jot my thoughts down, much as I had a desperate need to, & chose instead to internalize my feelings & keep them safely tucked away in my head. I didn't like the thoughts going through my mind.

Parental Alienation: Turning Kids Against the Non-Custodial Parent

With so many marriages ending in divorce, & so many single-parent homes these days, it's only natural that there may be some negative feelings with regard to the person you are no longer in a relationship with. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, the majority of broken relationships do not end with warm fuzzy feelings being exchanged between the two people who are ending their relationship. If you find yourself in this type of situation, then undoubtedly, it will be difficult to keep your feelings & emotions to yourself while around your children. A relationship loss, even if it's expected, planned or hoped for, is still a loss, & there is still a grieving process that takes place, as well as an adjustment period.