A Center for Grieving Children

I must share my new favorite thing/place/people; A Center for Grieving Children.

My children's dad has started working a new shift which has resulted in the kids seeing him less often than they are used to. This caused some issues for my oldest. That is when I realized she needed more help than what I was giving her (I probably knew it sooner but being overwhelmed, I put it off.) I had a good chat with my children's school counsellor (something else I should have done sooner) and she gave me a list of resources including A Center for Grieving Children.

I called them and they scheduled a time for me to bring the kids in. At our appointment, one person showed the kids around and told them about it, and then they played. Another person talked with me about the center and walked me through the paper work. They were so welcoming and kind and made it all very easy.

This place is so Amazing! They have groups for children who have suffered loss through death, and groups for kids who are struggling with their parents separations and divorce. We were there for divorce. The kids are split into two groups by age and get to play with and talk to other kids who are going through the exact same thing. They have many fabulous volunteers who facilitate this. My daughter was amazed that every child there had parents who were divorced. It made her feel like she belonged instead of being different.

While the children are playing, the parents meet with a facilitator in another room where they get to discuss their current challenges and support each other.

I am so glad my children and I get to be a part of this.

Another Ramble

There's a whole lot on my mind, so we'll just have to see where this ramble takes us. 
Final papers have been submitted to the court, which means after a mere nine months I'm just days away from officially being divorced.  This week Ex decided to make another desperate attempt for control by leaving the kids with a babysitter he knows I don't approve of.  After he refused to use any babysitters I do approve of I decided not to have him babysit anymore.  This has resulted in me making last minute attempts to find other fill-ins for the next couple of weeks until school starts.  Stressful?  Yes, but so worth it. 

I attended a class at work about achieving success in the work place and life.  I joked that they will stop offering the course when they discover that it is causing people to quit in order to pursue their true interests.  Well, I'm not quitting today, but it has me thinking really hard about my true interests and skills and how I can best put them to use and provide for my family.  Another thing they said was to only make one major change at a time.  Maybe they should have told me that a few months ago because it is too late now.  This year I have gotten divorced, moved, bought a new car and started two blogs.  Monday I will be starting a new job in a new department and new hours.  I will still have the same job title and pay though. The next week my kids go back to school and so do I.  I'll be the newest (not the only one I'm sure) accounting student at Weber State.  

I've spent the last eleven years just going with the flow career wise.  I never had much ambition because I thought at some point I would quit to be a stay at home mom.  There are no more delusions of that happening now, although I do still hold out hope of finding a way of making a lucrative income at it.  I'm giving a lot of thought now to where I would like my career to take me, either with or without my current employer.  I'm revisiting all the things I have liked doing or imagined doing since I was a child.  This list includes: writing, singing, mother, gardening, accounting, being a scientist, knowing everything, reporting, and having a secret identity.  I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to do it all.  Any ideas?

a single mom's journey of survival and self-discovery

The end: I spent ten years in a relationship where I was controlled, demeaned and isolated.  I call it verbal and emotional abuse, although it took me years to see it as such, and others still disagree with me. 
   One morning I received the clarity which I had sought for so long.  I knew I should get divorced and I knew I had to do it immediately because I would never have the courage again.  That evening I thold the Ex I wanted a divorce and asked him to leave.  When he refused, the children and I left with just the clothes we were wearing, whatever happened to be in the messy minivan and two bags that my oldest child had scrambled to throw together.
The begining: And that's how my little family ended up homeless on my sister's doorstep.  She welcomed us in with tears of joy.  She found us a place to live, and with the help of her awesome husband and congrigation, began to furnish it.
  I've seen other women in my situation who go straight into survival mode and never quite get it together, while others thrive.  I want to thrive.  I feel as if I've been unleashed and there is a big beautiful world out there to discover.  This blog is an attempt to document my journey.  I hope to be a help to other women who may feel a connection with my story.  I intend to share helpful tips, and new interests.  Most of all, I hope to provide some inspiration.