When families shift into two households, kids feel it deeply. Their rooms, routines, and rhythms change overnight. It’s a lot for a child’s heart to process — even when the adults are doing their best. But here’s the good news: Kids don’t need perfect. They need safe, consistent, loving spaces in both homes. Here are simple ways to help them feel grounded, secure, and cared for — no matter which parent’s house they’re in. ⸻ 1) Give Them “Ownership” in Both Homes Kids adjust b

Divorce is emotional — but don’t let taxes add to the stress. A few smart moves before Dec. 31 can save you time, money, and headaches later. 1) Check your filing status Final by year-end? You’ll file Single or Head of Household (if you qualify). Not final? Options may include Married Joint, Married Separate, or Head of Household if you’ve lived apart 6+ months. 2) Confirm who claims the kids This is a top reason returns get rejected. Decide now, and consider filing Form 8332

After my own divorce, I remember the first time I sat at a restaurant alone. Not as a mom. Not as a wife. Just… me. I felt like I needed a sign over my head: “It’s fine. I’m just divorced. Not sad. Not weird. Just hungry.” I ordered something I had NEVER ordered in my marriage — something he hated — and I swear that plate felt like freedom. It wasn’t about the food. It was the realization that I could choose for myself again. Even something small. That dinner felt like reclai

Divorce is tough. But what makes it even harder is how brutal we can be to ourselves. So let’s hit pause and rethink a few things. If this is you, you’re not alone. Here are a few reminders I wish every divorced woman would take to heart: 1) Stop shaming yourself. Half of all marriages end. You’re not a failure. You’re human. You’re growing. 2) Stop apologizing. You don’t owe the world a “sorry” for having opinions, boundaries, or a new chapter. 3) Stop over-giving to peopl

I’ve noticed these behaviors over and over while working with clients — even the most loving parents can get caught up in conflict during divorce. The emotions are real. The hurt is real. But so are the little eyes watching. Kids don’t need perfect parents. They need parents who can show respect, even when everything feels messy. When one parent tears the other down, children absorb it deeply. Because they see themselves as part of both parents, criticism toward one often fee

I see this all the time with clients—and I lived it myself. There are a lot of heartbreaks in divorce, but one of the hardest is when your ex seems to move on instantly. Maybe it’s a dating app profile two weeks after separation… maybe it’s a new “serious” relationship before you’ve even processed what happened. Either way, it hits like a punch to the gut. Even if you were the one who left, it still stings. It forces reality in: This is really happening. We’re not going back.

Divorce is hard. It can bring out anger, frustration, confusion, and heartbreak. And while the end of a marriage is complicated for the adults involved, it’s even more impactful for the children watching it unfold. There’s one lesson I wish every parent going through divorce would keep close: Disagreements will happen — but tearing someone down is never the answer. Respect, empathy, and the value of every person should always come before conflict. Even if your ex hurt you… Ev

When I speak with my clients after divorce, there’s a painful pattern I hear over and over: “I feel ugly.” “I’ve gained weight.” “I don’t even recognize myself anymore.” It doesn’t matter who initiated the split—divorce shakes your foundation, and for many, the first place that insecurity shows up is in the mirror. The body you once loved now feels like a stranger, a physical reminder of everything that’s changed. We start telling ourselves stories we’d never say to a friend.

Some people fall apart before the divorce. Others hold it together… until it’s all over. That’s when it hits. Maybe the paperwork is done. The accounts are split. Everyone else has moved on — except your nervous system. If you’re feeling the weight of everything months later, please know: that doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you were surviving. Now you’re finally safe enough to feel. This is what we call delayed grief — and it’s more common than people think. Here’s how to

Dating in your 60s can feel like stepping onto another planet. You’re older, wiser, and far less interested in pretending you’re okay with things that aren’t okay. In a strange way, that’s what makes this chapter so powerful. Many of us watched our ex walk off into the sunset with someone new as if the last few decades were a dress rehearsal. It’s confusing, it’s painful, and it shakes your confidence. But here’s the truth: getting divorced later in life isn’t an ending. For

Let’s be honest — the term narcissist is everywhere lately. People throw it around like confetti. But for those of us who’ve actually lived it, it’s not just a trending topic — it’s trauma. It’s second-guessing yourself daily, feeling like you’re walking on eggshells, being gaslit so hard that you don’t even trust your own gut anymore. In my coaching work, I’ve sat with so many strong, beautiful souls who said the same thing: “I didn’t realize how bad it was until I got out.”

There’s something sacred about having a group of women who just get you. Who show up with wine, snacks, or just silent hugs when life crashes down. We call it a “girl gang,” and I truly believe every woman needs one—especially during the hard seasons like divorce, empty nesting, or even just those identity shifts that sneak up in midlife. When you’re married, it’s easy to slowly drift from your girlfriends. You’re building a life, a family, a home—and sometimes the girl who o

We’ve all heard of the term “narcissist” tossed around more and more lately—and for good reason. People are finally waking up to the psychological gymnastics that narcissistic partners put others through. One of the most damaging tactics I’ve seen over and over in my coaching practice is triangulation—and trust me, it’s as manipulative as it sounds. Triangulation happens when a narcissist drags a third person into your relationship dynamic to create jealousy, insecurity, or c

We don’t talk enough about the emotional toll divorce takes on men. Too many times in my coaching practice, I hear, “I’m just trying to survive,” or “I don’t want to talk about it, I just want to be okay.” But here’s the truth: men break too. And stuffing it down doesn’t make it go away — it just delays the healing. Divorce doesn’t just strip away a marriage; it can shake a man’s sense of identity, purpose, and stability. You’re not just losing a partner — you’re adjusting to

When Divorce Involves a Narcissist: What You Need to Know Divorcing a narcissist isn’t just a breakup — it’s an emotional battlefield. If you’ve felt confused, overwhelmed, or constantly on the defensive, that’s not an accident. Narcissists thrive on control, chaos, and emotional reaction. This isn’t about blaming you. It’s about understanding the playbook so you can protect your peace. Why This Type of Divorce Feels Different Most people can negotiate and compromise. Narciss

1. They’re told to “stay strong.” Men often think vulnerability equals weakness. But staying silent only prolongs the pain. Strength isn’t pretending you’re okay — it’s admitting you’re not. 2. They lose more than a marriage. Divorce can mean losing daily contact with children, financial stability, even their social circles. For many men, the isolation is real — and overwhelming.  They don’t have the same emotional outlets. While women are often encouraged to connect and talk

Divorce doesn’t always have to mean destruction. In fact, for many couples—especially those with children—it can become a new chapter where friendship, respect, and even love (in a different form) continue to thrive. Let’s flip the script on what “divorced” looks like.  “We didn’t stop being parents. We just stopped being partners.” Divorce ends a marriage. It doesn’t have to end the connection. For couples who’ve spent years building a life—raising kids, creating memories, o

Holidays can be brutal when you’re going through a divorce. Let’s be real: the first Valentine’s Day when you’re newly separated? Brutal. Mother’s Day when the kids are with your ex? Painful. Your birthday when you expected to feel celebrated and instead felt invisible? Crushing. For me, every one of those milestones was a “first.” And while I dreaded them, they ended up not being as awful as I had built them up to be in my head. That’s the thing—it’s the anticipation that hu

Let’s talk about resolutions—but not the kind that require punishment, shame, or restriction. This year, let’s flip the script. After divorce, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only focusing on survival. But what if this year wasn’t about surviving… what if it was about thriving? What if your resolution wasn’t to “fix” yourself—but to rediscover and reclaim the YOU that got buried beneath everyone else’s needs? As someone who’s walked the road of divorce and come out stronge

The holidays can stir up a mix of emotions when you're going through or healing from a divorce. Let’s be honest—your first Valentine’s Day alone, Mother’s Day without your kids, or your birthday with an empty seat at the table… they all sting at first. I’ve been there. Each one of those “firsts” hit hard—but not as hard as I expected. The truth is, it’s often the anticipation that creates the most emotional weight. You dread the loneliness, you expect the tears… but when the