Parenting After Divorce

Kids today seem to "get" a lot more than we ever did as children. It's expected instead of a privilege in a lot of cases (which I happen to think is wrong - I've personally seen the result of this and it's not pretty). What a lot of kids don't seem to "get" is enough time with a parent and that is so very important!

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• Do you think they'll remember the time you didn't let them see their dad?
  
• Do you think they'll remember that they had to hide their feelings for their other parent, step-parent, siblings, to spare your feelings?
  
• How about the time you bad mouthed their other parent?
  
• How about the tension in the air when their other parent came to pick them up?
  
• How about the dirty looks you threw their daddy's way or his new family's way?

Have you done any of this? What kind of memories are you giving your child? What kind of example are you setting? Are you providing them with an emotionally healthy environment? What are you teaching them about love, forgiveness, moving on and living life fully and happily?

These kinds of things can wound a child deeply and leave a lasting, unpleasant memory. Don't do this to your child.

If you want to give your child something important and lasting, I can guarantee you it isn't the best mp3 player on the market (though I'm sure they want that too). It's their other parent. It's time, love, and a role model. It costs less than a mp3 player and will mean more to them for their entire lifetime.