“It’s been a long, long process and to finally get this part behind us. I feel great, even though we still have more to get done.”

Judge Marya Nega said Dwyane Wade had proven irreconcilable differences with Siohvaughn, even though it may already have been apparent in the court of public opinion. But child custody of the couple’s two sons and the division of marital assets still have to be worked out.

Dwyane Wade still retains physical custody of his children until further proceedings determine a final ruling, according to the judge’s order. Michael Kalcheim, the tenth divorce attorney in Chicago to represent Siohvaughn Wade, said he plans to file an appeal.

He told reporters that it was improper to finalize a divorce without also finalizing child custody and financial matters:

“The judge made a mistake.”

Even though this saga may very well have another chapter, Dwyane Wade is now looking forward to charting his future in the NBA. He will become a free agent as early as this week and may very well command a $100 million contract.

The couple, who first become romantically involved at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, had been separated for nearly three years before the recent dissolution of their marriage.

James Pritkin, Dwyane Wade’s Illinois family law attorney, took the opportunity to rattle off a basketball metaphor:

“Mrs. Wade has committed her final flagrant foul. Her game is over.”

Well, maybe not quite. This could go into overtime.

(PRWEB) October 3, 2009 — The TLC network recently announced that its hit reality show will be adapting to the changes in the Gosselin household by dropping co-star and father Jon Gosselin from the title. The renamed “Kate Plus Eight” begins Nov. 2.

For months the show has been disrupted by the divorce of Jon and Kate. According to TLC, the show “will continue to focus on the lives of the young Gosselin twins and sextuplets but with a deeper focus on Kate’s role as a single mother.” TLC also says Jon Gosselin will continue to appear on the show but less often.

According to Attorney Jeffrey Feulner, founder and managing attorney of the Men’s Divorce Law Firm in Winter Park, Florida, “This decision completely undermines the role of the father in these children’s lives. Unfortunately, divorce often results in the children spending less time with each of their parents, but to completely remove the father from the show’s title sends a strong statement about society’s view on the importance of the father in these children’s lives.”

TLC president Eileen O’Neill explained in a statement, “given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family.” O’Neill further explained that “(t)he family has evolved and we are attempting to evolve with it; we feel that Kate’s journey really resonates with our viewers.”

Attorney Feulner goes on to explain, “TLC’s decision underscores the bias fathers still face in our society. There has been no court decision awarding custody of the children to the mom, Kate Gosselin, yet TLC acts as if it is a foregone conclusion. The Gosselins could rotate custody of the kids, or Jon could be awarded the majority of time with the children. Is TLC committed to renaming the show ‘Jon Plus Eight’ if dad is deemed the primary parent? The divorce process is in its’ infancy. TLC’s decision was premature, disheartening and inexcusable.”

If the show is attempting to adapt to the changes in the Gosselin family, according to TLC executives, divorce means Jon Gosselin will not only have a less important role in the show, but also in the lives of his children. TLC’s decision to fire Jon Gosselin should certainly strike a chord with single fathers nationwide.

[ Press Release By | Men's Divorce Law Firm ]

Thankfully, it’s still early enough to think ahead and get some great strategies for balance in 2009.

Family Dates or Family Nights. Before the calendar gets too crammed with meetings and travel appointments, block out time for regular family time: game night, night out, or regular dinners together. Be committed and be sure to let the kids see you’re taking time with/for mom too.

Family Vacation. Get mom’s and the kids’ school schedules now and find that all-too-elusive window of opportunity for everyone to have time off together and enjoy one another.  Put it on the calendar now and guard it like a bulldog.

Set & Manage Workplace Expectations. Find ways to communicate and help your co-workers understand that your work is important to you, and so are your family commitments—and that you’re committed to holding them both in high priority without either one relegating the other to 2nd class status.

Stop Justifying. Don’t feel like you have to have a family emergency to justify spending invaluable time with your family. And stop justifying late hours spent at work to your kids. They spell love T-I-M-E, not I’m-Saving-Money-For-Your-College-Education. While that’s a crucial part of providing for you kids, you’ll never get back those years once they are grown.

Budget For The Future. Most of us work long hours because we want to provide for our family. Play with your budget and/or meet with an advisor or friend to see what you can do with a CD, Mutual Fund, or college fund while your kids are still young. Planning now will give you peace of mind about providing for your family without necessarily having to work all that overtime.

Take a Hike! Get out walking, or running with the kids at the end of the day.  This will create a great way to wind down from the day’s busyness and give mom a break to boot (if the kids are home with her all day)!  If you have a family dog, Rover will appreciate it too.  This can be wonderfully therapeutic for everyone and it makes for better winding down at bed time too.

[ Article by | Fatherhood.org ]

Over half of American marriages end in divorce, and every year another 500,000 men become single fathers; shockingly, 95% of these divorced dads do not have primary custody of their children. In his book, BE A GREAT DIVORCED DAD, Dr. Kenneth Condrell gives single dads everywhere an indispensable guide to making the transition from husband/father to loving and involved single parent, even if the custody arrangement only allows two weekends a month.

BE A GREAT DIVORCED DAD is a practical guide filled with empathetic advice, not a collection of theoretical double-talk.  Dr. Condrell is a psychologist with 30 years of experience as a family therapist, but he is also the divorced father of three– his experiences provide a perfect background to help other divorced dads through the maze of single parenting challenges.  With clear detail and effective examples, BE A GREAT DIVORCED DAD addresses the pressing issues that arise after custody is resolved, including the following.

• How to avoid the most common divorced dad pitfalls
• Does a failed marriage mean a failed parent?
• Moving on: the challenge of dating new people (and explaining to the children).
• Making the most of time with the kids.
• Dealing with birthdays and holidays.

Divorce can be an opportunity for tremendous healing and growth, but newly divorced fathers need the insights of those who have been through the experience. Dr. Condrell’s BE A GREAT DIVORCED DAD is filled with the guidance and support that single dads need to not only tackle the emotional and logistical dilemmas of divorce, but to become– or remain– loving, effective parents.

Excerpt:

Be a Great Divorced Dad is written expressly and directly for dads to show them how to make a successful transition from husband/father to single dad.  It directly answers the question: “How can I be an effective parent when I typically see my children only every other weekend?”

The time after divorce is not only one of personal emotional turmoil, but it’s also a time when it will be necessary for fathers to focus on playing catch-up as a parent.  It isn’t that fathers are less capable than mothers; it’s that in many cases they don’t automatically know exactly how to care for children.  Neither did Mom; she’s just had a head start in practicing the parenting game.  A divorced father coming out of a traditional marriage may at first be at a disadvantage with his parenting skills.  But most men can easlity learn how to shop, cook, feed, give baths, and help with homework within six to twelve months.

Many men feel overwhelmed after a marital breakup — adrift in a sea of legal, economic, and emotional entanglements.  This book can serve as an anchor; it supports fathers by offering advice on how to share the responsibility of raising children with the least amount of conflict.  This book provides all the information needed so they can play on a level field as parents, and “win” as fathers.

Be a Great Divorced Dad has been written for men by a man.  It presents the best approaches I have learned on how single-parent fathers can deal with their greatest fears:

• That their children will grow up damaged by the divorce;
• That their children will not want to be with them;
• That they will not have enough time with their children to influence and guide them through life.

This book will help fathers face these fears and take positive action.

I’m often asked how I’m able to cope with the endless unhappy stories I hear each day from fathers who are divorced or in the process of getting a divorce.  Helping families find solutions for themselves to challenging problems is what has given me the most satisfaction.  This book collects the experiences of the many divorced fathers — and their children — whom I have counseled over the years.  It is filled with their voices.

Available at all major book stores

[ Article by Ken Condrell | DrCondrell.com ]