I just want to encourage single parents and step parents to plan ahead this Christmas. Don't put the kids in the middle or make them choose how to spend time with extended family. It's hard enough for them to feel torn between Mom and Dad, please don't add any extra stress to their journey.

I am reminded of my friend Joey, who reflects on what it was like to be from a divorced family - here is a little part of his story:

Joey Recalls Christmas as a Child of Divorce…

"My saddest memories of Christmas were seeing my mom cry when I left with my dad." Joey, age 41

Last week I was interviewed by The Globe and Mail (Canada's leading newspaper) and I just received the final copy today. I will post a link to the full article soon!

In the meantime, I wanted to share a standout quote (a bold, hard question) by Brian Galbraith, a family lawyer in Ontario. He simply asks:

"Do you hate your ex more than you love your children?"

I want to believe that if you are here, at this co-parenting website, seeking information for your situation then your answer would be an absolute, powerful "NO! No, I don't hate my ex more than I love my children. I love my children and I want to know if there is HOPE for them..."

A Father's Day tribute...

Many of us have grown up with a single father and/or a step father. I want to celebrate the important role these men have in the lives of children and to give a standing ovation to the men who stay in the game, year after year, and bring love and stability to the story of a child.

Backpack over the shoulder, Your favorite jacket in hand
Waving goodbye, Three days til I see you again
I know you’ll have fun, Daddy’s safe home
I drive away, Without you I’m alone

I have a choice in this moment in time,
To let the tears fall for what is not mine
The days that I miss of your sweet goodnight kiss
Just know you are loved and you’re missed

When you are with me then it’s Daddy we see
Waving and smiling goodbye
His days linger on and while you are gone
He longs for you the same as I

You are the gift that God has given, To raise, to love and lead well
I thank Him each day for letting us be, Your parents and for others I’ll tell

That sometimes it still hurts and I wish it could be
All of your loved ones as a family
But this is our journey and these are your homes
Dad’s house and mom’s house, two brushes, two combs