a difficult co-parent

Seeking Happy: A Single Dad Explains His Joyousness

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:January 24, 2022
Post category:Depression Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love mindfulness Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

It is time to evaluate all of the relationships in your life and set boundaries and priorities with each of them. Some people will need to be removed.

You Are Here: Taking Stock of Your Perfect Moments

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:January 16, 2022
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Drinking Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love Married Life mindfulness Parenting Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

What do you need to cut the tether attaching you to this bag of these BULLSHIT-LIES you keep telling yourself? Write them down. Identify the "little black bastards" pulling you down.

Present Tense: Co-Parenting Disconnected

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:January 9, 2022
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness humans of divorce Parenting Self-care Single-Dad

Sure, you can lean into your kids' anger about the divorce. But your role as a parent is to help them separate their emotions from your emotions. Your anger has infused their entire lives.

Who Am I To Be Telling Anyone About Healthy Relationships?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:January 2, 2022
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Dating Depression Divorce Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love Married Life mindfulness Parenting relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

I simply let go and pay little or no attention to the things that are out of my control. What I have control over, I manage with greater joy and energy.

Why Some Fathers Give Up After Divorce

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:December 18, 2021
Post category:Anger burn Co-Parenting Depression Health and Fitness Parenting Self-care Single-Dad

Yes, kids are expensive, but they should be equally shared as an expense and as a joy. This 70/30 split is bullshit. It's demeaning to fathers. And it's based on a parenting concept from the 50's. Sure it makes it easier on the courts if everyone just goes with the plan. But don't. If you want the time with your kids, fight for it.

Happy Dad, Sad Dad, Angry Dad: Recapping My Whole Parent Attitude

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:December 15, 2021
Post category:Co-Parenting Dating Depression Divorce mindfulness relationship building Self-care

Finding the Positive in 2021 was a challenge. And as we round the corner into the holidays, I'd like to recap my work for the year and see how my sentiment ran for the holistic side of The Whole Parent.

When “In the Best Interest of the Children” is Weaponized

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:December 14, 2021
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Divorce humans of divorce Married Life Money Parenting Single-Dad Spirituality

If you're going to have kids, I think both parents should agree to co-parent after divorce in the same manner that they agreed to co-parent as partners even before they have children.

In All Cases Be Kind, Unless You Can’t Then Be Assertive

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:November 29, 2021
Post category:Anger burn Depression Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love Money Parenting relationship building Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

There is a fine line in relationships between being passive, being assertive, and being aggressive. Even in each of these three energies, you can be kind.