The Dance of Intimacy – Keeping The Glow With Your Partner

  This week will be all about Valentine’s Day and can be a time of great romance or great pain. Many people put their children first and of course while this is necessary and honourable is it at the expense of your own relationship? I remember a great friend of my Mum and Dad’s Nuala […]

How To Survive & Thrive on Valentine’s Day as a Divorced Woman.

  I have a client who is going through a divorce and is feeling maudlin about Valentine’s Day. ‘Valentine’s Day is hard enough’ she said ‘when you’re couple & married’ (talk about pressure!) — ‘but when you’re going through a divorce it’s going to be hell!’ So I’ve been pondering how to have fun on […]

Co-Parenting Over Christmas – Ideas to Help

I was delighted to have been interviewed about Co-Parenting over Christmas – often a tricky and stressful time for The Divorce Magazine. We focused on helping children of divorced parents’ during their first christmas and their life after divorce co -parenting. Click here to read and watch the video.

Co-parenting Advice During Christmas

  Dear Sue I’m worried about Christmas as I’m recently divorced. My kids are still reeling from the changes. What is your advice? Liz Jackson, New Addington, Surrey Most parents worry about this – so you’re not alone The question most co-parent’s worry about is ‘Will I be able to see my children over the […]

Tips & advice for Nannies supporting families through divorce.

This week I’ve been writing the module for Nannies for my ‘Navigating Family Transitions: A CPD Course for Professionals Supporting Children, Parents & Families through Divorce, Separation, or Family Breakup’ Course. Supporting families through divorce can be challenging but rewarding for nannies as they play a really important role in supporting children through the process […]

How You (As A Caring Employer) Can Help Employees Through Divorce and Separation

I was delighted to have been invited to the House of Commons recently to the launch of the Parents Promise  a new HR initiative to support parents going through divorce or separation. Businesses including Asda, Tesco, Metro Bank, PwC and Unilever have partnered with the Positive Parenting Alliance (PPA) to promote more family-friendly policies for […]

Rebuilding Self-Confidence: Your Journey After Divorce

Your confidence can take a big hit after a divorce or separation as I remember first hand, and building self-confidence after a divorce or separation can be challenging, but it’s certainly possible – it just takes time to recover from such a major life change. It can take up to 18months to 2 years to […]

Building Bridges, Not Walls: The Power of Positive Co-Parenting: Some Practical Tips

Positive co-parenting is essential for the well-being of your children after a separation or divorce. It’s not always easy but it is important so here are some ideas to help. Here are some tips to help you co-parent effectively and create a positive environment for your children: Put Your Child’s Needs First: Remember that your […]

Classroom Compassion: Supporting Pupil’s Through Divorce. Divorce Support for Teachers

I’m writing a Continued Professional Development Course (CPD) supporting parents, children & families, and the people who work with them around divorce. Supporting pupils who are going through a divorce requires a thoughtful and sensitive approach. Here are some tips and advice for teachers to navigate this situation: Open Communication: Maintain an open line of […]

The 7 Emotional Stages You’ll Go Through During and After Divorce.

  I always remind my clients that going through a Divorce is a process NOT an event and I firmly believe that it is similar to the grieving process described by the eminent American Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book, On Death and Dying, that was inspired by her work with terminally ill patients. […]

Is it time to change the word ‘Broken’ Family ?

  I was speaking on BBC radio about a new piece of research around mental health and stepfamilies. What struck me as unhelpful & laden with negativity is the word ‘BROKEN’ to describe parents who are divorced, separated or apart. Broken implies a failure, broken implies damaged, no longer able to work, something destroyed & dysfunctional  but […]

Best children’s books to help talk about divorce and separation

Separation and divorce are traumatic events for families. My journal is designed to help children express, explore and understand some of the strong emotions that they may be feeling and to help them process the divorce for themselves. Keeping a Journal is a very simple, but powerful way to support children. As caring adults, we […]

Beyond the Blue Lights: Navigating Divorce as a Police Officer and Parent

I’m hooked on the DCI Jack Logan books by JD Kirk. In ‘Here Lie The Dead’ Detective Sergeant Hamza Khaled is pondering taking an IT job within the police and argues with DC Tyler Neish about why he’s so tempted, ‘I’ve seen it happen to dozens of officers. We both have. Break-ups. Divorces. The job […]