A divorcing couple is inherently in a state of disagreement. When the parties have children, the disputes between the couple can bleed into the parenting arrangements made for temporary parenting time. Many couples will already be in a parenting time status quo as a separation often preludes a divorce. In these cases, courts will often…
During Chicago winters, it’s incredibly easy to find a reason to stay indoors, especially with all the articles available in this series, but to avoid the colder season altogether would be to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Kids in Chicago already stay inside far too long and often. If you’re sharing parenting time…
This is the 18th edition of “Parenting Alone in Chicago.” A series of articles I publish that help provide ideas and details for single parents when they exercise their parenting time after a divorce or separation. Sometimes, when looking for a place for your younger children to play, it makes more sense, especially for parents…
The Parenting Plan When two parents are no longer living together, they must come to an arrangement regarding the time each parent will spend with the children. Hopefully, the parents can come to an agreement without the help of lawyers or the courts. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In any case before a…
This is number 13 in my series of things to do with kids if and when you’re parenting alone. Whether you are divorced, separated or just alone for the day with the kids, I hope these posts can be a guide of things to do with your kids in a city that is not too…
30% of American adults don’t drink at all. Another 30% have less than one drink a week. The top 10% of drinking Americans drink an average of 73.85 drinks a week. The second decile of drinkers (20% to 10%) drink 15.3 drinks a week which can be a lot but probably does not affect their…
This is number four in my series of things to do with children while you’re parenting alone. Whether you are divorced, separated or just alone for the day with the kids, I hope these posts can be a guide of things to do with your kids in a city that isn’t set up for kids,…
This article will be the first in a series of articles I will write about advice on how to parent in Chicago alone. Whether you’re divorced, separated or just have the kids alone for a weekend, constructive activities are an important way to turn your time with your children into quality time. You want to…
In Illinois, throughout the divorce or parentage process the parties are required to exchange and submit parenting plans. A parenting plan is “a written agreement that allocates significant decision-making responsibilities, parenting time, or both.” 750 ILCS 5/600(f) The parties come to an agreement on the parenting plan or the court orders a parenting plan that…
Often a parent will exercise his parenting time without actually being with the child. The worst cases of this phenomenon are when a parent just drops the children off with his or her mother. Other cases are as simple as a parent going to the grocery store and leaving the child by his or herself…
