Money Archives

I Wish You Well, and Absolutely Nothing Else: How To Forgive a Co-parent

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:October 16, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Divorce Married Life Money Parenting Self-care Single-Dad

I am responsible for my actions alone. And my actions as a divorced dad have been 100% honest, 100% open, and 100% mom/kid-friendly. Her actions... Not so much.

Next-Level Parenting: Being Awesome Even in Divorce

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:October 6, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Joy Love Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

I wish I could've had more time with my kids. I wish my then-wife had agreed to 50/50 shared parenting. I wish my ex-wife would be a more collaborative parent. But even as I wish about these things, even as I can feel regret about the lost time, I am HAPPIER NOW THAN I HAVE EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE.

Asking for Support is Hard for Most of Us: That’s Okay, Do It Anyway

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:October 4, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Drinking Health and Fitness Joy Love Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

My role is to help you identify what's stressing you out, work on lessening that stress, and begin to focus on what's good for you. And as important, what's good for your kids. And here is a simple list of things we're going to work on together.

The Four Simple Rules for Parents Getting Divorced

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:October 3, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Drinking Health and Fitness Joy Love Money Parenting Self-care Single-Dad

Also, as the man in the divorce, you have an opportunity to lead the process with grace and empathy. You cannot control how your ex behaves, the only thing you can control is your own response to the challenges ahead.

Men and Divorce with Children: My 9-year Retrospective

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:October 3, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

I suppose a pound of flesh is tasty when it is grilled over a flame of resentment and anger. She is acting out of spite and vitriol at this point. Again, she got what she wanted and she still came after me with the AG's office.

Finding Our Way Forward As Dads Before, During, and After Divorce

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:September 28, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

I do think my ex-wife and I could've agreed to 50/50 parenting and gotten a judge to sign off on our agreement. But she would never have given up her legal/strategic advantage. Perhaps she was doing what she thought was best for the children. Perhaps. But I think she was more self-centered than that, she was doing what she wanted, regardless of the impact on the kids.

Taking the Long Way Home: My Divorce Journey Back to Joy

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:September 27, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Dating Depression Divorce Drinking Health and Fitness Love Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

What I wanted (what I want) is stability and trust. What I want is something more authentic than I had in my marriage or with my fiance. What I want is someone who can lean into the troubles and work them out. What I want is someone who can express affection easily and frequently.

Fall Arrives: Pulling Back the Curtain on The Off Parent

fall of the house of dad - john oakley mcelhenney

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:September 25, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

There is nothing to talk to my ex-wife about. That "friendly" concept was nice but has been firmly and explicatively rejected by her and her husband. And as I walk away from the wreckage of my co-parenting smashup, I am letting the curtain fall.