FRIDAY-ISM 028

In honor of a comic legend, here's to not taking yourself so seriously, no matter what life throws at you: "Never be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century." - Joan Rivers

Co-Parenting Tips from the Today Show

A segment on the Today Show this morning briefly discusses co-parenting gone wrong.  A Today Show follower states that "my husband is better with the kids than I am and it worries me that he doesn't respect me as a mom." This topic is relevant for ALL parents, those who are married and those who are not. Co-Parenting takes practice, lots of it! And if one parent feels that their parenting strategies are not being respected and followed by the other parent, then a problem quickly arises. Children need structure from both parents and more importantly, they need consistency.  If this issue sounds familiar in your life as a parent, then take a moment to reflect on the problem, have a sit down discussion with your co-parent (be it your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, or ex) and come to a resolution on how to develop one parenting style that does not compromise one over the other, but perhaps blends them together.  A family mediator has the skills to listen to both sides and create a mutual, middle ground that both parents can adhere to. 

Watch the Today Show clip below. Listen closely for the key word - MEDIATE!
(Clip starts at minute 4:15 and ends at 6:15)

http://www.today.com/id/55974610/displaymode/1283/for/facebookvideo/

The Battle For Gay Marriage Continues

The federal court in Florida has now taken a stance on this hot topic of gay marriage. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle of Tallahassee took a strong position in the battle against gay marriage, ordering the state of Florida to recognize gay marriage entered into in the state and those entered into out of state. In short, his opinion stated that the ban on gay marriage is an "obvious pretext for discrimination." Furthermore, Judge Hinkle ruled that "[t]olerating views with which one disagrees is a hallmark of civilized society" and the ban "stems entirely, or almost entirely, from moral disapproval of the practice." His ruling denied Attorney General Pam Bondi's argument that marriage's critical feature is the capacity of procreate. From my perspective, this defense was laughable! According to the National Vital Statistics Report of 2013, the approximate percentage of births to unmarried women was 40.6%.  Even Pam Bondi herself has been married and divorced twice with no children. The pure ability to procreate in an opposite sex marriage has absolutely no legitimate effect on whether gay marriage should be recognized in Florida.

Although Judge Hinkle immediately stayed the effects of his ruling pending further appeal, proponents of gay marriage now have significant backing from the state and federal courts of Florida. This battle against Florida's ban wages on.
Amen, Judge Hinkle....

(source Miami Herald, August 22, 2014 - by Steve Rothaus - picture and article)

Child Support Redo?

Back to School Tip #2. The beginning of the school year is another good time to reevaluate your child support arrangement. The Florida Statutes are very explicit when it comes to child support modification. Unfortunately, just because your child may be incurring more expenses now that he/she is enrolled in more school activities or is now maybe a teenage driver, does not automatically mean child support needs to be increased. Key word being "automatic".
Per Florida Statute section 61.30, a party may seek modification of a child support order if there has been a “substantial change in circumstances.” The substantial change between the existing monthly obligation and the current guideline amount must be a difference of 15% or $50.00, whichever is greater. What exactly is a "substantial change in circumstances" you may ask? Well, according to section 61.30(1)(a), relevant factors that a court may consider include "the needs of the child or children, age, station in life, standard of living, and the financial status and ability of each parent."
In a nutshell, this means nothing is a given in family law. However, if you believe your change in circumstances is substantial (ie. your child costs a lot MORE now than he/she did several years ago), then you may be a candidate for a child support modification. Modifications don't need to be battled out in court. A certified family mediator can easily work with both parents to make the necessary recalculations to child support.  Check out my new website for more information.
www.familyfocusedmediation.com

Time to Review Your Timesharing Schedule

Another school year has arrived! Can you believe it!? I know I can't. Quite the morning I had with kindergarten and preschool! If you are in a co-parenting situation, this is the perfect time to review that timesharing schedule. Many schedules were created when your child(ren) were itty bitty. But now they are grown and entering the school system. As your child(ren) mature, their schedules will evolve and the current timesharing schedule may not adequately benefit them. It's always important to keep in mind that putting your child(ren)'s best interests first will maintain the peace within your family dynamic. If your timesharing schedule needs an adjustment, a mediation session with a certified family mediator is the ideal forum to make those modifications. Make the necessary changes in an efficient, less costly and harmonious manner. Check out my NEW website for more information!
www.familyfocusedmediation.com

NEW WEBSITE ALERT!

It has launched! Go check out my brand new website. It's awesome and full of useful information if you are experiencing a divorce, separation, or child related issues with a co-parent.
Same address, different look!

WWW.FAMILYFOCUSEDMEDIATION.COM

NEW WEBSITE ON ITS WAY!!

Time to upgrade my website. And the one new should be going LIVE any second now. So please check back soon to see it! It's going to be awesome! ;)