Coming Out as LGBTQ+: Navigating Relationships with Grace and Preparation
June was LGBTQ+ Pride month, a time to celebrate the diverse ways people live and love. It is also a time when many people choose to acknowledge, own, and even embrace their own LGBTQ+ identity. When this happens to a person in a committed relationship, particularly one with children, this journey involves speaking truth to loved ones who have a vision and expectations that may be disrupted by the information. It requires courage, sensitivity, and thoughtful planning. Read more for some essential steps to consider:
Topics: LGBTQ, Mental Health
Coping With Grief When the Family Composition Changes
As with all things, family life inevitably includes change. Whether it's through separation, custodial changes, divorce, or the loss of a loved one, navigating loss and grief can be a daunting journey.
Topics: Child Custody, Mental Health, Parenting
Surviving the Sandwich Generation
In Episode 18 of the Family Matters With ReeseLaw podcast, How Do I Care for My Parents and Children, Kate Reese spoke with Jennifer Folsom, author of The Ringmaster: Work, Life, and Keeping it All Together, about her experience with this issue. Their conversation touched on some important ways to manage the additional responsibilities that come with being in the Sandwich Generation.
Topics: Mental Health, Parenting
Changes That Come With Remarriage
A divorce does not always mean that the relationship doesn’t continue to impact the lives of the former spouses. If there are children, then issues of custody and support may require continued communication. In some cases, one spouse is awarded spousal support, which may create an additional basis for interaction. When one of the parties moves on to a new romantic partnership, there can be significant changes to the status quo. While this should not be the basis for deciding whether to start a new relationship or consider remarriage, it is essential to understand some of the possible consequences.
Topics: Mental Health, Parenting, PrenuptialsManaging the Custody and Support During Summer Break
When school lets out, the regular schedule for the kids goes out the window, and managing their summer schedule presents a co-parenting challenge. Camps, playdates, vacations, and even day-to-day childcare all require planning and often have an associated expense. While some custodial arrangements will go into detail about how to handle the basics of summer break, it is unlikely that every eventuality will be covered. Here are some tips for avoiding conflict in the dog days of summer.
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Mental Health, Parenting
