Married Life

80% of Single Moms Will Never Understand a Single Dad’s Struggle

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:September 5, 2019
Post category:Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Joy Married Life Money Parenting Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

Divorce is painful enough. Let's all share the pain equally and stop putting dads in the straightjacket of the SPO and the typical child support agreement.

Her Aspirational Divorce: Seeking a Better Life for Your Kids

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:September 3, 2019
Post category:Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

I cannot excuse my then-wife for taking the easy way out. Divorce is never easy. I cannot forgive my wife for snickering in the counselor's office when I asked for a 50/50 parenting schedule and showed my research and several calendar options. I cannot forgive her for making such a selfish decision that went against everything we agreed to in our marriage.

Healing My Divorce Resentment: A Single Dad Contemplates the Future

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 26, 2019
Post category:Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Joy Love Married Life Parenting Self-care Single-Dad

It was not fair what happened, and in many ways, my ex-wife was the architect and builder of the divorce.

Self-Care and Appreciation: Can I Love All of Myself Right Now?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 19, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Joy Love Married Life mindfulness Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

In this day I release my ex-wife. I release my two lovely children from any frustration I have at not being able to book time on their busy teenager calendars. I release myself from my expectations of where I would be at this point in my adult life.

Dad’s Divorce Journey: 9-years Later I Still Feel the Loss of Kid-time

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 15, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Joy Love Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

As I licked my wounds alone, I could only imagine the parties that were still going on in my old house. The bathtime fun, the friends over on the weekends, the breakfast and dinner routines. Time. That is the real loss in a divorce. My ex-wife got most of it. I got the dregs on alternating weekends.

3 Required Traits for Building a Lasting Relationship

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 13, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Dating Depression Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

I have approached dating as a process to identify, qualify, and ultimately partner with a single woman. The dating part is essential, but dating is not the goal. Sex is essential, but sex, also, is not the goal. Working to identify and explore a combination of these three factors, is how I am navigating my approach to finding my next long-term relationship.

Fool In The Rain: A Brief Retelling of My Divorce and Rebirth

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 3, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Single-Dad

It's been a hard journey as a single dad. But out of this wreckage, I hope I can bring the stories and lessons I've learned and continue to share them with others. Dads don't have to lose everything in a divorce.

Loss, Sadness, and Indifference: Struggles of a Single Dad

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 31, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Married Life Money Parenting Self-care Single-Dad

Love your kids with everything you've got. Let go of your ex, as best you can, and focus on the impact your love is having on your kids. Stay true to that value and you will always choose the high road.