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Often visitors come to our site looking for information to help them “win” divorce mediation.
Certainly couples divorcing, whether they chose to mediate or not, are embarking on an unfamiliar path. It is a path that is most often chosen as the result of ongoing conflict and disappointment between the couple and seems full of unknown danger. Everyone has heard horror stories (more…)
CFR divorce mediation allows those divorcing to decide how their story will unfold.
Unlike the stories of a typical litigated divorce, those who choose to mediate do not leave a divorce mediation session lamenting that they “lost everything”, or having received an order to do something he or she disagrees with. Nor will the process drag on for months, much less years. (more…)
A recent study by Linda Waite, PhD with the University of Chicago Department of Sociology, asserts that divorce has a profound negative impact on the health of those whose marriage ends – just as the death of a spouse has on the surviving spouse.
Although this study raises an interesting point, it is likely not a clear argument that those who choose to divorce are (more…)
There are many potential contributing factors to interpersonal conflict. One that is often overlooked is PRIDE.
Pride can be defined as a sense of one’s own proper dignity or value. It is not intrinsically problematic. In fact, thinking well of ones self is something to be actively pursued. For example, we want children to develop a sense of pride in themselves. Feeling proud of our accomplishments is also a positive thing. (more…)
Mothers know and love their children like no one else. Seldom do they plan to raise their kids with the involvement of a stepmother, however for many this becomes a reality: a reality that can trigger a host of uncomfortable feelings and situations for mothers, stepmothers, fathers, and children.
It can be difficult to have a relationship with an ex-husband’s new partner: your child’s stepmother. This is even more difficult when the new woman was the catalyst for the divorce or split. However, when there are kids involved, (more…)
Divorce is a difficult process. Regardless of the reason behind the break-up, the process of formalizing the divorce is often upsetting both emotionally and logistically. The logistical process of the relationship separation can trigger and aggravate the emotional issues involved. In cases where at least one person identifies a triggering event for the break-up of the relationship, the emotions involved can make a peaceful efficient resolution of the issues almost impossible without involvement of divorce professionals. (more…)
So often when a couple has made the decision to divorce – their best intentions and desires seem to get co-opted by well-meaning and concerned friends and family. In an effort to be supportive or protective advice, solicited and unsolicited, seems to come from every direction.
Advice can be be helpful: a divorce is something typically not planned for nor do most know how to go about it. In addition, the break-up of any relationship is a conflict and like any conflict or dispute, family and friends respond based on their own frames of reference – which includes their personal fears and biases. (more…)
Distance and circumstance can affect how separated and divorced parents spend time with their children – regardless of the nature of the relationship between parents. Sometimes parents are separated or divorced; sometimes away on business or military deployment; sometimes the multi-household arrangement is by design.
Often a focus of discussion is how parents, who live away from their children, maintain a positive parent-child relationship – especially when parents are divorced or otherwise separate due to relationship issues. (more…)
With the Holiday season in our midst, our family relations come sharply into focus. Paying a visit to an elderly relative, or going “home” for the holidays can garner our attention, and often tug at our heartstrings, when we find a loved one who is unable to adequately care for themselves. Be it dementia, disease, or mere frailty we often are obligated to make decisions on behalf a loved one. These decisions can be taxing, and if more than one person (more…)
There has been a great deal of speculation in the media lately that the Internet and social media sites like Facebook are contributing to increased divorce rates. However, it seems that although anecdotal evidence gives credence to this claim, there is no research to back the assertion.
This assertion makes sense. Facebook makes it easy to contact and stay in touch with people that we otherwise would not have much of an ongoing relationship with. In addition, in a few short years Facebook has given us the ability to maintain and nurture these relationships whenever and wherever it is convenient – even while sitting next to our spouse. The Internet makes it much easier to participate in different relationships at the same time…but only if that is something desired by the user.
A study by Todd D. Kendall was published in the September 2, 2010 issue of the Journal of Family and Economic Issues: The Relationship Between Internet Access and Divorce Rate. The study found that there is no evidence of an increase of divorce due to Internet activity.
The rise of the internet has affected the market for romantic partners, arguably lowering search costs. It has been claimed anecdotally that this has led to an increase in divorce. However, a more careful examination of theory suggests that, even if search costs have declined with the rise of the internet, this would not necessarily increase divorce propensity. To examine the issue empirically, this paper employs both state- and household-level data on family structure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey. A comparison of high and low internet penetration states, as well as a micro panel of initially married households with and without internet access, reveals no evidence that the rise of the internet has increased divorce.
There have always been “threats” to relationships and marriages, but like relationships, none of these threats function in a vacuum. The Internet is simply an accessible means to explore relationships outside of marriage.
