LilSugar

Should Divorced Couples Spend the Holidays Together?

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:55 -0800

Jon and Kate are both planning on being home for the holidays this year. Despite the quarreling twosome's very messy and public divorce, Jon says that they will all be celebrating Christmas together as a family. Every divorce and family is unique and what works well in some broods may not work for others; critics say that it may give the children a false sense of what is really going on. Weigh in on the topic and tell us - do you think it's a wise decision for divorced couples to spend the holidays together as a family for the sake of the children?

Text and Tunes: Books That Help Children Through Divorce

LilSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:00:26 -0700

It's sad when any family falls apart, but the situation is especially difficult when children are involved. If the kids are young, it can be hard to explain how and why mommy and daddy are choosing to separate and what that will mean for everyone involved. When parents are at a loss for words or too pained by their own emotions, picking up a text that caters to children can help. Check out our roundup of books that touch on topics like having two homes, holidays, custody and moving toward the future.

Should Parents Shield Their Children From Their Dating Life?

babysugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:00:07 -0700

Jumping into the dating game after a decade long hiatus may be more terrifying than dipping toes into a pool of starved piranhas. Aging and gravity can take a toll on a woman's body but that's not the toughest part for a widow or a divorcee to handle. Instead, much of the fear rests in a mother's heart of how to introduce a potential boyfriend to her children. Many moms wait for the relationship to get serious before greetings are exchanged and others can hardly wait for the ink to dry on the legal documents before declaring themselves single and available. In Cougar Town's debut, Courteney Cox's character berated her neighbor for swiftly entering the dating pool but it was she who embarrassed herself when her son walked in on her pleasuring her new boy toy.

What's your take on the mommy dating game? Tell us in The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar community! Photo courtesy of ABC

Which of Jon Gosselin's Statements Was the Most Shocking?

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:10:24 -0700

There's setting the story straight and then there's running one's mouth. Jon Gosselin sat down with Chris Cuomo for a three-hour tell-all, which was condensed into a half hour segment on Primetime: Family Secrets that aired earlier tonight. During their exchange, the father made famous by his family's show, Jon and Kate Plus 8, shed some tears and made statements (including those about his soon-to-be ex-wife, Kate) that raised the eyebrows of loyal viewers. Which did you find most shocking?

Should Parents Pay Reduced Child Support in Recession?

LilSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Moms and dads may be handed pink slips or have their wages cut, but the price of raising children isn't necessarily cheaper. In this tough economic time more and more non-custodial parents are asking to have their child support payments reduced. A recent report said:

With the economic downturn hitting men harder than women - 9.8 versus 7.5 percent unemployment - and men comprising most noncustodial parents, many dads are finding themselves struggling to make child support payments that were based on incomes they no longer earn.

What's your opinion?

Jon and Kate Plus 8: Stay Close or Flee With Opportunity?

LilSugar — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Jon and Kate Gosselin may be in the midst of a divorce, but their show will return with new episodes Monday. During the hiatus, the former couple took time to focus on their family and navigate their way through the difficult time. They made it clear that the Gosselin abode was purchased for their eight children and that the parents would rotate turns with the twins and sextuplets.

Jon recently purchased a Manhattan bachelor pad where he stays when Kate has the kids. Earlier this week, it was rumored that Kate had her sights set on property in Maryland, but the story was refuted when statements were made that the reality mom plans to remain close to her children even when it's Jon's turn to care for them. If you were in this situation, would you take advantage of the freedom to flee during your breaks or would you stay near?

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Photos courtesy of TLC

Would You Give Up Custody If Daddy Were a Better Parent?

babysugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:18 -0700

When it comes to child custody, moms tend to have an edge on the competition. Judges often find them more capable and sometimes, dads agree and settle for either joint custody or visitation rights. However, there are cases where a father fights tooth and bone for his offspring and can win the court's decision if he shows all the right stuff.

One couple came to the end of their marital road and both decided their three boys would be better off living with the mother. As the dad moved south for a job, the mama found herself refereeing wrestling matches, fighting migraines and suffering panic attacks. At the point of a mental breakdown, she relinquished custody and shipped the young lads off to their father where he would raise them into fine young men.

While some might see the mother's actions as selfish, others may say she put the children's needs before her own. Would you give up custody of your babies if you knew their father was a more competent parent?

Till the Economy Do Us Part?

babysugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:00:02 -0700

Forget 'till death do us part. How about till the economy do us part? Some moms and dads who have fallen out of love and are ready to leave the confines of their marriage are putting the brakes on calling the movers until the economy improves. A recent Wall Street Journal article states divorce rates are down. It said:

In a poll of 1,600 of its (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers) members, the group says, respondents estimated that divorce cases in the six months through March were off 40 percent from normal levels.

Not to be fooled, there are still many couples headed for splitsville, but haven't filed paperwork. As families try to keep their feet on solid ground in a volatile market with high unemployment rates, unhappily married couples are choosing to cohabit for the sake of their wallets, not the kids. While some find it easier than expected, others are likely counting down the days to boot their former spouse off the premises. But, wouldn't it be delightful if the twosomes found their way back to each other over a can of bean soup? Could you live with your spouse knowing a divorce was imminent?

Jon Gosselin Takes A Bachelor's Bite Out of the Big Apple

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:10:37 -0700

It's a sweet New York City single life for Jon Gosselin. The father of eight seems to be enjoying splitsville. He's been busy in the last few days moving stuff into his new Upper West Side Manhattan bachelor pad. Then, he met up with Kate and the kids at a TLC photo shoot before hitting the town for some dinner with a Star reporter. Later in the weekend, he noshed on a hot dog and took a stroll in Central Park - maybe he's over eating organic? Jon eventually returned to his family's abode where he went for a chopper ride.

To see more pics of the famous pop, read more.

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Jon and Kate Continue to Hang Out For the Sake of Their Eight

LilSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:50:49 -0700

Say what you will about mom and dad of multiples, Jon and Kate Gosselin, but it's pretty impressive that despite their differences, the soon-to-be former husband and wife are still seemingly amicable around their children. They both appeared to enjoy their home-thrown Fourth of July festivities with their twins and sextuplets. Then, Jon took a very public jaunt to France with girlfriend Hailey Glassman, and granted an interview to People despite the statement that the parents issued saying they would not be talking publicly again about their divorce. One might have suspected he'd receive a chilly reception upon his return, but that doesn't look like the case in these photos of the tensome hanging out together.

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