The Whole Parent – Page 75 – Guide to Single-Parenting & a Return to Wholeness

Finding the Happy Side of Difficult Divorce Street – FLIP IT

John McElhenney
October 1, 2013
Anger / Co-Parenting / Depression / Divorce / Health and Fitness / Joy / Money / Parenting / Self-care / Single-Dad
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There is no time like the present to flip your anger into absurd, cackling, fake laughter. It's a known fact that your physical body doesn't really know the difference between real laughter and fake laughter. So if you give a big ol' Pee Wee Herman laugh, your body really thinks you are laughing. The endorphins and physical joy comes back into your system, fires up the happy side of your brain, and can bring you part of the way back to center.

Moving from Parenting To Co-parenting: Joining Together In Divorce

John McElhenney
September 29, 2013
Uncategorized
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But it's the kids who stand to lose the most from this imbalanced systemic approach. Dad is more than money. And mom is capable of making just as much money (let's table the fair pay discussion for the moment) as the dad. These old roles no longer fit the educated and compassionate couple. But the road to a good and healthy co-parenting plan is not a well-worn path.

I Love You, Dad

John McElhenney
September 25, 2013
Depression / Divorce / Drinking / Health and Fitness / Married Life / Parenting / Spirituality
1 Comment

And at that moment, I also felt the joy of my father's love upon me. He might have left the planet 15 years ago, but his love is still within me. And each time I can really hear and connect with my own kids, my heart lights up with a little bit more healing of my 5-year-old self, my wounded little boy.

Co-parenting Is Not Always Easy, But We Have a Choice

John McElhenney
September 25, 2013
Co-Parenting / Depression / Divorce / humans of divorce / Money / Self-care / Single-Dad
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So much of co-parenting is about negotiation and compromise. We no longer have the same loving emotional ties to our former partners. We no longer have to make their urgency and priorities our own.

Pause and Reset After Divorce

John McElhenney
September 24, 2013
Uncategorized
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So in walking away from my marriage, I am continuing to learn, that this is MY SHIT. Whatever it is I'm dealing with at the moment, she is not the cause nor the cure of the situation. I am the only one who can take action on my behalf.

The Divorce Ahead, Go Slow, Breathe

John McElhenney
September 23, 2013
Divorce / humans of divorce / Parenting / Self-care / Single-Dad
0 Comments

There will be time for anger. There will be moments when anger is the only way you can find to stand up for what you believe to be right. But the rest is up to you.

I Am Not the Problem in the Co-parenting Relationship, We Are

John McElhenney
September 22, 2013
Depression / Divorce / Health and Fitness / Married Life / Parenting / Relationships / Self-care
0 Comments

I am sad sometimes that I no longer have a partner and cheerleader in navigating these difficult times. But that role/relationship ended several years before the marriage did. And now I have two fabulous kids and their mom.

A Return to Wholeness After Divorce

John McElhenney
September 21, 2013
Co-Parenting / Depression / Divorce / Health and Fitness / Married Life / Money / Parenting / Relationships / Self-care / Single-Dad / Spirituality
11 Comments

I remember a discussion with my then-wife before we entered the "trying to get pregnant" phase of our sexual relationship. I felt very clear about my intentions. "I am ready…