Divorce

Divorce, once mentioned, is a slippery and difficult journey. As you pull apart the lives you’ve built together, there will be anger, resentment, frustration, and even joy, and ecstasy. But the divorce is hard on everyone. Listen for who needs support and then give your love and attention. Always.

POSITIVE DIVORCE (is a concept, an alignment, an intention I use as I go through life as a single dad.)

Divorce is one of the most disorienting events in my life. Everything was lost. I have made a point of trying to turn the bad points into positive information. I am here support you as best I can to lessen the impact on your children. Divorce is the beginning of a new journey. You can make it better for everyone by paying attention to what matters. Your anger at your ex needs to be handled on your own.

The Good Side of Divorce – Making Things Go Easier

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 15, 2015
Post category:Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

My anger is my own. My kids are a shared resource and responsibility. My ex is a wonderful human being who is doing her best in the world.

How Love Transforms Us Completely When We Feel the YES

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 9, 2015
Post category:Co-Parenting Dating Divorce Health and Fitness Love Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

With this woman, I have established my new JOY TRIBE. And my two kids are basking in the renewed joy as well. By showing them what a loving and happy relationship looks like, they can begin modeling their future relationships on healthy patterns.

I Want To Thank You for the Divorce: Moving On to What’s Next

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 5, 2015
Post category:Dating Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Joy Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

It's already sounding snarky to me, but I have to give thanks to the mother of my children for releasing me from a marriage that had grown unbalanced and unhappy.…

As a Nice Guy, My Cooperative Divorce Was Not Fair Or Balanced

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 2, 2015
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

I felt like I had a pretty good idea of the way the divorce was going to go, once I agreed to actually get a divorce. We went, eyes wide open, into the negotiations about parenting rights, money, schedules, and I also felt like I had a cooperative soon-to-be wife who was not going to try to destroy me. The first part was true, the second part, well...

Carrying the Load: Money Issues from Marriage to Child Support

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:June 3, 2015
Post category:Co-Parenting Divorce Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

Unless I want to sue her, but that's contrary to my entire premise of the positive co-parent. I'm learning to be better, more forgiving, and more loving, even of my ex-wife.

Loving Again as a Single Parent is an Ongoing Leap of Faith

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 31, 2015
Post category:Dating Divorce Love Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

And as we radiate and recommit, as we lean in towards one another and take the leap of faith towards life-transforming love, we can see the effect our joy is having on our friends and family. And the kids, while still readjusting to our new configuration, are already showing warmth and enthusiasm around our together unit, which now includes a new partner for me.

The Benefits of a Happy Ex-Wife (Positive Divorce and CoParenting)

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 25, 2015
Post category:burn Co-Parenting Divorce Health and Fitness Love Married Life Parenting Relationships Sex Single-Dad

I will be in the process of recalibrating my life in relationship to my ex-wife probably for the rest of my life. Even after the kids are off and doing their own lives, there are always collective contributions that need to be made, adult advice that needs to be given, and we will never fully separate from the relationship.

Are You Receiving Me? When Not Listening Turns Toward Divorce

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 23, 2015
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Divorce Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care

When the other partner decides to ask for divorce there is very little the committed partner can do. The fracture has happened. The other person has declared they are considering divorce. Then that option is forever on the table and could be used as leverage.