When the news story broke the other day regarding Felicity Huffman’s and Lori Loughlin’s illegal purchase of their children’s elite education, I was intrigued but not shocked. It’s not surprising to learn (as we have since Trump has been in the Oval Office) the power of money. But is this story simply about the power of money or is it about bad parenting? I guess it’s both.

Are you a single mom of a hockey player or a equestrian horse rider? How do you make ends meet and for how long can you sustain the costs of your kid’s high priced sport?

Check it out; There is a big difference between horseback riding and equestrian riding, tennis and golf, roller hockey and ice hockey, ski lessons amd ski racing. The substantial difference in not only cost but commitment on the part of your child(ren) and the family as a whole.

First, I want to wish a Happy New Year to my Escapees! I hope it isn’t too late for that sentiment. What does 2019 have in store for you? Are you being kind to yourself and treating yourself with compassion. Are you turning off your inner critic? I’ve been reading a lot of posts about that very thing lately. And I couldn’t agree more with the importance of being kind not only to others but self.

But that’s not what we’re delving into today. I tricked you there, 😛

Drew Coffman

Just my musings on my 54th Christmas and how it works as a divorced mother of three. With three adult children (one step), our family continues to grow as our children marry and bring more life into our blended family.

My daughter got engaged on Christmas Eve and I was *honored* to be the first to know…that said, she isn’t always communicating with me on the wedding details. During this process, I’ve had to accept the fact that we are not a traditional family therefore, I’m not likely to be a traditional mother of the bride. It’s just a fact that comes along with divorce.

image source Unsplash by Christopher Harris

I’m  re-posting an updated, yet classic from the archives.

One of the biggest changes during divorce is losing the marital home, which I have written about before here.

It’s a loss that isn’t easy to swallow for many couples who have taken pride in their home. Dare I say, they’ve considered their home something of a status symbol or a page out of a decorating magazine? That will all change. You’ll see though, that what really matters isn’t the shell of a home but who and what is inside it.

my rough sketch of the back of our old home. watching the videos took me inside and into the backyard again. it was almost exactly how i remembered it.

As many of you know, my marriage ended many moons ago. 2005 to be exact. The divorce dragged on as most do, but if we’re talking about the actual marriage, it ended thirteen years ago. My, how time flies.

That’s Anita on the far right. Root friend. All of these ladies are root friends. That’s me second from left.

Right now I’m packing for an adeventure of a lifetime. I wanted to let you know I’ll be away for  the rest of the month. I can’t even believe it myself.

So, last December (almost a year ago) my good friend and I hatched a plan. It was a plan that I didn’t really think would happen. Just talk. But no. We’re doing it!

image by Erin Smith

Oh my, it’s graduation, wedding, and recital season around the corner. This means ex encounters (of the third kind) of many kinds. Perhaps you’re on good terms with your ex, or maybe many years have passed so you have this down…if so skip down to the comments and tell us how you do it. On the other hand,  if you’re not,  you’ll need to be ready for this possible barrage of social ex encounters.