Complex Family Blog

How to Avoid a Birthday Disaster for Your Child

Have you had those moments when you find yourself waking up while you gently hold a particular specialness because it's your little sweetheart's birthday today? If you have, you may also have felt the moment you realise your little sweetheart's bedroom is empty - and it's not because they're old enough to be out with friends. The reason their bedroom is empty is because you're a divorced parent and your beloved child is with your Ex. Read More…

The Best Way for Divorced Parents to Get Active

It's easy to believe reading an article on "Getting Active" you'll find new tips about fitness, diets, summer trimmings and all manner of hard-to-keep promises. If you too are over them then continue reading because I'm not talking about getting active in a fitness freak sense, I'm talking about avoiding one of the biggest traps divorced parents face when raising their children. Read More…

How do I talk with my children about sexuality?

For many of our generation, at best, we were handed a book and left to sort the rest out for ourselves. We gleaned information from our friends or snippets from movies and magazines to fill in the gaps, and we hoped the rest would all follow quite naturally. Obviously, as you are a parent, you have at least experienced sexual intimacy - however it may or may not automatically follow that you are comfortable to talk about it. Read More…

My Ex bought our children mobile phones even when I said 'No!'

This highlights the challenge when parenting with an Ex. The children will be delighted with their new toys, and for you to pour cold water on their enthusiasm is rather pitiful. You can share in their excitement and allow them to eagerly amuse themselves (as you might like to indulge yourself with such luxuries). Once you've passed through the initial glowing phase of newness, you can start to establish the boundaries (not blanket rules) for conduct in your home, and while out and about with you. Read More…

My children fall short of the Ex's high expectations; now what?

Holding expectations regarding your children is natural, yet they are often a source of great debate between those who have opinions about the raising of children. Expectations are not really the issue though; it is the attachment we hold to these expectations that is the issue. Read More…

When Your Ex's Partner is Stepparent

If you're a parent, you'll want to try practicing what I'm about to share with you ... and I admit, it's often far easier said than done. If you're a stepparent, then most likely you'll want to feel this from your stepchildren and their biological parents. Read More…

When Your Children Mess Up; The Ticket or the Lecture?

When your kids have messed up, do you dish out the ticket or the lecture? This is a common trap for us all. When the natural consequences sometime appear to be inadequate to the crime committed, as parents we tend to adopt the next best thing - lectures! Read More…

Do You Say "Tomorrow I'll do better", Yet by 8am You're Yelling at Your Children?

Most parents put their hand up and say, "Yes, me too!" Exhausted from a day of nagging, yelling and demanding your children do things faster, better, or do something at all, you flop into bed and wish for more peace in home. With your head churning, you long for a better way to do things and hope for a little courage so you can try harder tomorrow. Read More…

The Greatest Gift You Can Give Children ... Wherever You Are, Be There!

I believe most of us have what it takes to be genuinely great parents; regardless if we have been separated, divorced or attempting to co-parent. More often than not, it is through our efforts to juggle an already rather hectic lifestyle that we neglect some of the most crucial aspects of parenting. Beyond the basic requirements of love, nurturing, food, clothing, shelter, and education, the next layer involves four key elements. These four key elements are: Time, Structure, Stimulation, and Protection. Today's article is to look at Time. Read More…

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