Dear Dr. Buckingham, I have been dating this single young lady for over 14 months now and I am considering marrying her. However, I have one problem with her. She does not treat her children well, especially her 12-year-old son. She is mean as hell to him and appears to have a short temper. I have two sons, one 9 years old and one 13 years old. I am concerned that she is … [Read more...]
4 Ways to STOP Fighting Over the Kids and START Parenting Together
“United we stand and divided we fall”, or so the adage goes. It is true in politics and in life. And when it comes to your children and how to discipline them this saying is 100% true. We’ve all been there, you think you should discipline your child a certain way and your spouse wants to handle it differently. You each become stuck in your position, unwilling to concede, … [Read more...]
Should Stepparents Post Pictures of Their Stepkids on Social Media?
I was surfing through Instagram when I discovered this: a picture of Russell Wilson and his stepson baby Future. https://www.instagram.com/p/BKmAjd6hZ4q/?taken-by=dangerusswilson Cute, I immediately thought, the little man is growing up. But then I started scrolling through the post's comments. And I can't say I was surprised that some people would hate on the picture (as … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: Peeling Back the Layers of Co-Parenting
When we blend families in this generation, there is an expectation of one parent to accept the other parent’s children and vice-versa. I don’t think that’s wrong in any way, but I believe we need to look deeper than a level of acceptance. There needs to be a mutual respect and preferably a bond between a child and the other parent. As a single father, I know how important it … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: Introducing…The Co-Parenting Contract
Sometimes divorce, separation or break ups can be down right bitter. We are often times so focused on the hurt and pain that our significant other has caused, that we lose sight of the children and what's best for them. When cooler heads prevail and you can think more clearly, at some point, the two of you need to focus on the child(ren), their fragile state and how you can … [Read more...]
Interview With a Single Dad: Budgets, Child Support and Doing Hair
In a society where being average is applauded, I'm careful not to pat single fathers on their backs for doing what they are supposed to. Men should love and care for their children, provide emotional and financial support, and give guidance and instruction. Many men do. We just hear about the ones with 15 children by ten different women, or the ones behind bars for … [Read more...]