Parenting | The Whole Parent

The Struggle is Real: Dads Headed for Divorce Must Fight for the Kids

John McElhenney
January 14, 2020
Anger / Co-Parenting / Divorce / Health and Fitness / humans of divorce / Love / Married Life / Money / Parenting / Self-care / Single-Dad
0 Comments

My belief is moms and dads should agree that they will both ask for 50/50 custody in the case of a divorce. My agreement is more of a set of vows. I have not written a legally binding contract, like a pre-nuptial, that governs the money in the case of the divorce. I have written an agreement that governs the promise between the two parents to share the love and parenting of their children in a balanced way for the rest of their lives.

Six Masterclass Lessons on Divorce: Finding a Light After the Loss

John McElhenney
January 13, 2020
Anger / Co-Parenting / Depression / Divorce / Health and Fitness / humans of divorce / Joy / Married Life / Money / Parenting / Self-care / Single-Dad / Spirituality
0 Comments

Always ask for what you need. Your partner cannot read your mind. And that angry look your giving them may not convey what you're hoping to convey. Talk about it. Give your partner the benefit of the doubt.

Why Divorcing Always Mom’s Deserve <del>Child</del> Support

Why Divorcing Always Mom’s Deserve Child Support

John McElhenney
January 12, 2020
Anger / Co-Parenting / Divorce / humans of divorce / Married Life / Money / Parenting / Single-Dad
0 Comments

Mom's don't deserve child support any more than dads do. Federal family law begs to differ, but I believe we should be equal parents across the board: time, money, and custodial rights.

“Alexa, Please…” An Open Letter to Amazon’s Alexa from All Parents

John McElhenney
January 7, 2020
Health and Fitness / Joy / Parenting / Spirituality
0 Comments

We parents are getting fed up with all the shouting and commanding that's going on in our Alexa-powered houses. Let's ask Amazon's Alexa Team to make some modifications to Alexa's DNA.

The Irreconcilably Irritating Present And How to Find Peace in It

John McElhenney
January 6, 2020
Anger / Co-Parenting / Depression / Divorce / Health and Fitness / humans of divorce / Joy / Love / Money / Parenting / Self-care / Single-Dad / Spirituality
0 Comments

I like to drive fast. This is a constant opportunity to tap into the irritating nature of the present moment. As I want to go fast (both in the car and in my life) I am always pushing up against the slower cars of the rapidly growing population of our fair city.

How a Loving Relationship Changes Everything: The Vulnerability Prayer

John McElhenney
January 3, 2020
Dating / Health and Fitness / humans of divorce / Joy / Love / Married Life / Parenting / relationship building / Relationships / Self-care / Sex / Single-Dad / Spirituality
0 Comments

There is no DAY OFF in a loving relationship. There may be easy days and hard days, but every day is an opportunity to turn towards your lover and say, "I love you," as well as "I need you." It is in that place of vulnerability and honesty that we will find the true gift of a loving relationship.

The Loss of Kid-time Has Been the Biggest Source of Pain in My Life

John McElhenney
January 2, 2020
Anger / Co-Parenting / Dating / Depression / Divorce / Health and Fitness / humans of divorce / Love / Married Life / Money / Parenting / Self-care / Single-Dad
0 Comments

In the nine and a half years since the divorce, I have seen my daughter approximately 8 days to every 22 days that my ex-wife gets to see her. This arrangement seems to support the idea that the mom is the primary caregiver in the family, or that moms deserve the majority of the children's time.

Single Parents Finding Each Other: 4 Relationship Requirements

John McElhenney
January 1, 2020
Co-Parenting / Dating / Divorce / Health and Fitness / humans of divorce / Joy / Love / Married Life / Parenting / relationship building / Relationships / Self-care / Sex / Single-Dad
0 Comments

Parenting is a spiritual journey that you enter when your kids are born. The relationships you have as parents may change over time, but your parenting is a huge part of what gives your life meaning. To me, my kids are everything. And to my partner, my love of their kids and their love of my kids, is unfathomable and wonderful when it happens.