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I Do, I Do, I Do! How Popular Is Remarriage in the US?

TresSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0700

We've all heard that 50 percent of marriages will end in divorce, but do you know what happens after that? For the first time in 2008, the Census Bureau gathered remarriage stats for Americans. It found that 5 percent of people who have ever been married have been married three times or more. See what you know about marriage, divorce, and remarriage in the US.

Source: Flickr User theCarol

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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

When Partners Get Sick, Women Less Likely to Split

TresSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Cementing the stereotypical image of woman as caretaker, a new study shows that a man is seven times more likely than a woman to leave his spouse if she becomes seriously ill.

The study, which included 500 couples coping with illnesses such as cancer or multiple sclerosis (MS), found that of marriages in which the wife was ill, 21 percent ended in divorce while only 3 percent of marriages in which the man was ill ended in divorce. The researchers hypothesized that perhaps men are less able to take on the burdens of maintaining the family and caring for a sick spouse.

Why do you think (at least in this study) that women are less likely to leave their ill partner?

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?

What Do You Know About US Divorce Rates?

TresSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

The CDC recently released a study all about divorce rates across the US and it appears that couples in some states are better than others at staying together until death makes them part. Take this quiz to see what you know about divorce in America.

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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?

Do Tell: How Has Divorce Impacted Your Life?

TresSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Last week when we discussed the assumption that a mother should get the children when a couple splits, a few of you mentioned your own experiences dealing with divorce.

I've known some people who were really troubled by their parents' breakup, and others who said it was the best thing that ever happened to their family. If your parents divorced, how did it affect you?

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

Why Some Women Give Up Custody of Their Children

TresSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:05:00 -0700

No matter how egalitarian people say they are, there's still an assumption that a woman's connection to her children is stronger - and perhaps more sacred - than a man's, and when a couple splits, she should naturally retain custody.

Rebekah Spicuglia understands the stigma of noncustodial motherhood all too well. She got pregnant when she was 18 and started taking classes at community college. Her husband, a restaurant worker who enjoyed staying at home and being around his family, didn't want to move when Spicuglia's educational ambitions landed her a spot at UC Berkeley. So she made the decision to move and leave her 3-year-old son Oscar with her husband. Now living in New York and divorced from Oscar’s father, she sees her son regularly and believes her decision was good for everyone involved. To hear what a psychologist has to say about the phenomenon and to weigh in yourself, read more.

Spicuglia joins the 30 percent of women in the US- over 2 million noncustodial mothers - who don't retain custody of their children after a divorce. If they are anything like Spicuglia, they may face judgment, hostility and disapproval.

Clinical psychologist Judith Sills explains why this is unfair and acknowledges that sometimes these decisions are best for the children, too. "The fact is," she says, "some good moms can protect their children best by recognizing someone else is the better parent . . . maybe they're emotionally overwhelmed; maybe to get financially on their feet; maybe because in a divorce, mom is desperate to leave the house, but she knows the kids need stability." The child's perception, she continues, has more to do with whether he or she has a stable, happy home than it does with the social norms that adults contend with.

How do you feel about women who decide to give up custody? Does it contradict your idea of what a "good mother" should do?