Divorce and the Holidays: Remember STRESSED Spelled Backwards Is DESSERTS!

Photo used with permission from Dailyville

by Nigel Lawson

The holidays can be a difficult time of  year, especially for single moms and dads. Stress over shared custody scheduling can overwhelm parents, turning joyous occasions into holiday nightmares.  Don't let this derail what is important --the quality time you spend with your children.  Yes, quality over quantity is always best when it comes to shared custody, so I want to provide parents with a holiday activity guaranteed for fun. 

Veteran's Day: Supporting Our Separated & Divorced Veterans

Photo used under Creative Commons from US Army Africa

 by Nigel Lawson

With the end of the war in Iraq and return of 40,000 troops by the holidays, this Veteran's Day is one to be thankful for.  When we honor our troops this year, it's not only important to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country, but  it's equally important to support returning soldiers who may still face obstacles here at home. 

Aside from the physical injury, post-tramatic stress disorder, government red tape over disability benefits, and simply assimilating back into civilian life, many returning veterans must also deal with the challenges of divorce.  According to Pentagon statistics, since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, the divorce rate among military personnel has increased from  2.6 percent to 3.6 percent in 2010.  The Pentagon also reported 9% of enlisted women had their marriage end in divorce - about three times that of enlisted men at just over 3%.

Halloween Horror Break Up Stories! Beware of Ghoulish Girlfriends!

 

Photo used under Creative Commons from Sara G...'s

by Nigel Lawson

We've all been through it - The Break Up From Hell!  A torturous time betrayal pierces your heart, nausea writhes in your stomach, and loneliness flattens your soul, leaving you unwilling to trust another human being on the face of Earth.

The following is a horrific break up story I ran across on bounceback.com that simply made my skin crawl.  The author granted me permission to reprint this in hopes other divorced dudes and dudettes would benefit from his own tale of terror.

by Mr. D

I'd found the love of my life - I'm 49, she's 44 - After two divorces, she was refreshing - an intellectual geek like me, but funny, oh-so-sexy, smart, gorgeous body, everything a guy could want. All was going well for a year or so; we both had more fun and experienced more closeness than we'd felt in previous relationships.

Then, in July of this year, she joined a softball team at work. The first few weeks were fine - I had stuff to do on the nights she played, all was good. But then I became aware of a slight distancing.  The spontaneous 'I love you' texts stopped; she became irritated with me at the slightest thing. Instead of giving her space however, I emotionally panicked, thinking I was losing her, and became clingy and needy.

Divorce and Halloween: It Doesn't Need To Be Scary

Photo used under Creative Commons from wwarby

by Nigel Lawson

With Halloween just around the corner, fighting your way through department store crowds in search of the perfect costumes for the kids and bags of Hersey's Miniatures might not be the only thing your dreading this Fall. Dealing with an ex-spouse might be just as scary, especially if this is your first Halloween after divorce.

Well, no fear! Here are some tips to tame any ghoulish ex-spouse on All Hallows Eve.

1. Involve your kids.  Before making any plans, talk to your children.  Ask them what they would like to do for Halloween.  At this point you can ask if your ex-spouse has made any Halloween plans with your children.  It would be horrific if you made extensive plans and then found out your spouse has already promised to take your children to the neighborhood haunted block party.

Divorce May Lead to Baldness in Women

Photo used under Creative Commons from romytetue 

By Nigel Lawson 

Two studies released yesterday reveal stress from divorce may lead to baldness in women.  The studies, conducted at Case Western Reserve University, examined 66 male and 84 female pairs of identical twins with similar hairlines.  Dr. Bahman Guyuron, head of the study, found that high stress situations such as divorce, death of a spouse, caring for many children, and high blood pressure may be the link to hair loss in women.  

Find out more about the results of this study on men and women in "The Stress of Divorce, Writ on Women's Heads," at Time.Com, and post your comments.

Secrets Your Wife May be Keeping!

Photo used under Creative Commons from carl clasio

by Nigel Lawson

If you think all is going well in your marriage, beware!  A new book by Iris Krasnow reveals some interesting insights into what secrets wives may be keeping from their spouse.  The book, The Secret Lives of Wives: Women Share What It Really Takes To Stay Married, scheduled for release in October, is based on interviews of 200 women reflecting on the institution of marriage (pun definitely intended)! 

Her article, The Fine Line Between Marriage and Divorce, in the Huffington Post, includes some pretty racy marital secrets involving gardeners, farm animals, and swingers. Read the article for yourself, and post your comments below.

Pat Robertson Forgets " 'Til Death Do Us Part." It Must Be Early Signs Of Alzheimer's

Photo used under Creative Commons from Digital Shotgun

By Nigel Lawson

Well, Pat Robertson once again stuns the nation by announcing on his 700 Club that Alzheimer's disease is a valid reason for divorce.  This past Tuesday, a gentleman phoned in to relate his concern about a friend whose wife was in the later stages of Alzheimer's.  The caller stated his friend was, "bitter at God for allowing his wife to be in that condition, and now he's started seeing another woman."