I was recently asked if it is true that everyone must have a ‘rebound’ relationship, one that helps restore confidence but is short lived. I replied that I didn’t think there had to be a rebound relationship, although it is quite common.

For some people a rebound relationship is just what they need (as long as they are aware that is what it is). A fun, ‘no ties’ relationship which will help to reassure them they are attractive and fun to be with while not committing themselves to settling down again. As long as both parties are aware this is all it is no one gets hurt. A rebound relationship can be great fun, you get to experience new things and feel good about yourself. However, if only one of you is aware it is a ‘fling’ some one can get hurt and that’s not fair. Make sure you’re both aware of the level of commitment you are offering. If the other person seems to be taking it more seriously you must explain how you feel and break it off before they get hurt.

For some people a ‘fling’ is something they would never be comfortable with and that’s fine too. It’s OK to take things slowly, get to know someone well before making any commitment or having a sexual relationship. If someone is serious about you they will respect your feelings as long as you make it clear what they are!

In any relationship you do need to talk about what you want.

If you are unsure about how to develop a new relationship there are a few questions you can ask yourself:

What will happen if I do?
What will happen if I don’t?
What won’t happen if I do?
What won’t happen if I don’t?
What is the worst that can happen?
What am I looking for in a new relationship?”

As you may know from my previous articles and blogs, I do believe you should learn to love yourself before you try to love anyone else. So do spend some time alone, learning about yourself and what you want from life.

Everyone is different and will find love at a different pace and in a different way. Some may actively look for love by using internet dating, speed dating or dating ‘clubs’. Others may meet people by taking up new hobbies, learning new skills or joining dance classes or sports clubs. Others meet by accident at parties or even in a bus queue (yes, I do know someone who met a boyfriend this way).

It doesn’t matter how long it takes or how you meet them as long as it feels right for you.

Annie O’Neill has been widowed and divorced but now enjoys a very happy relationship with her husband, David with whom she is celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary this year.

Because of her understanding of the difficulties involved in the breakdown of a long-term relationship Annie set up New Horizons Divorce Coaching in May 2006, having qualified as a Personal Life Coach and NLP Practitioner earlier that year.

Annie has a website http://www.newhorizons-divorcecoaching.co.uk and a blog http://lifeafterdivorce.wordpress.com/

Annie lives in Reading, Berkshire, UK and is often asked to appear on BBC Radio Berkshire as a local divorce expert.

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If you’re going through a divorce and you have children, the chances are good that they are your biggest concern throughout the proceedings. After all, you want to be a good parent, and you want what’s best for them. And you want them to be as large a part of your life as possible. You may even be concerned about whether you or your spouse will be getting custody of the children. It’s understandable to be worried.

There are a lot of factors that go into determining which spouse will wind up being the custodial parent of the children. But first, it’s important to understand the two types of custody, how they differ, and what your rights are.

When people talk about having custody of the kids, they’re usually talking about physical custody. That is, where do the kids live. But there’s actually another kind of custody, which is equally important – especially if you’re the parent who doesn’t have physical custody. The other kind of custody is legal custody, which describes the right of a parent to help make decisions involving the child’s well-being: where the child goes to school, the religion the child is raised in, medical treatment for the child, and so on. In almost all divorces, both parents are granted legal custody.

Deciding Physical Custody

There are a number of factors that a judge takes into consideration when he or she is determining which parent will get physical custody, including:

• How old the children are.
• The considerations of the parents, to a certain extent.

• The nature of the relationship between each parent and the children. If a child has a bad relationship with one of the parents, that parent is less likely to get custody.

• The health of the parents, both in terms of physical health and mental health.

• Which parent provided the bulk of care for the child up to the point of the divorce.

• The ability of each parent to provide a healthy, stable long-term home for the children.

• The ability of the children to adjust to a move, assuming the parent is moving.

• The opinion of the children, depending on how old the children are.

• Whether allegations of abuse have been levied against one or both of the parents.

These are just a few of the many different aspects by which the court determines physical custody. If you would like to know more about divorce law, visit westpalmbeach-divorcelawyer.com.

Joseph Devine

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1- Do not contact your ex-husband unless you have a topic related to the children.

You no longer have a relationship with this person, except that he is the father of your children. Asking for assistance with household repairs, or even just talking about your day- is no longer acceptable.

2- Keep contact to a minimum

One phone call a day is excessive, several text messages a day is extremely excessive. If you have a subject related to the kids- speak briefly and clearly about your expectations. Emails are better than phone calls, if your issue is not an emergency.

3- Do not speak negatively about your ex-husband in front of the children.

It doesn’t make you look better in front of the kids, and it does not help with the co-parenting relationship you have with your ex. Children are confused by negative talk and should not be trapped in the middle of your marital issues.

4- Don’t send messages to your ex-husband through the kids

Your children have been through some major changes- mom and dad not living together, divorce, and now visitation back and forth between the houses. They do not need to be involved in adult discussions or arguments.

5- Don’t question the kids about their activities when they return from a visit with their father.

Children are very suspicious of this and wonder what they are supposed to say. They wonder if it’s O.K. to have fun at Dad’s house. You want your children to have a positive relationship with their Daddy, and want them to feel that they don’t have to “report back” all the activity going on in his house. It’s O.K. to ask them if they had a good time over the weekend, and then smile and say, “great” after their brief response. Move on to another topic, immediately after the question, so that the kids know it’s O.K. to have enjoyed the time, and that you’re not being nosy about their Dad.

6-Work together with your ex-spouse to coordinate a visitation schedule for the kids.

Let your ex know if there are any changes to your schedule, as soon as possible. Emergencies will arise (for both parties) but planning ahead allows both parents to care for the kids as best as possible.

7-Don’t sabotage family events at your ex’s house.

You may be considering planning a huge meal to serve to your kids right before dropping them off for Thanksgiving dinner at your ex’s house, or bringing them to their Daddy’s house, late, so that they miss an important event scheduled for them. You may think these tactics hurt your ex, but in reality, you are only hurting your own children. Step back, and remember to do what’s best for your kids.

8-Don’t speak negatively about your ex’s new partner

This is the person who will help raise your children. This person is caring for your children when they are at their Dad’s house.

9-Choose a new partner that loves your kids

Now that you’re a parent, you can’t just marry someone for your own needs, but also someone who will be a great parent to your kids. Make sure this person is willing to devote time to get to know, love and help you care for your kids.

10-Don’t ask for extra funds, in addition to child support

You and your ex-spouse have a separation agreement that discusses custody, visitation, allocation of assets and child support. You signed this agreement and agreed it was fair and reasonable. Do not ask your ex for additional funds now that this agreement is finalized.

Some of these rules sound pretty tough, but remember to focus on your kids. This isn’t about trying to hurt your spouse or “get even” – your goal should be to do what’s best for your children.

Shirley Cress Dudley is a licensed professional counselor with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling, and a master’s degree in Education. She has a passion for helping blended families grow strong and be successful. Sign up for our Free newsletter and receive a Free Report, Ten Top Mistakes You Can Make with your Blended Family, http://www.BlendedFamilyAdvice.com/

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Of all the jobs in the world, nothing is more challenging, or rewarding, than raising a child. Even when an individual has to take on the task alone, single parenting today can provide intense joy and happiness. It can also be the source of frustration, depression and uncertainty. Add to that the fact that people expect imperfect beings to suddenly be able to navigate the extremely complex world of parenting flawlessly and it can come with extreme pressure, especially for singles.

The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that you are allowed to make mistakes, no matter what the world at large tells you. If you learn from them, you and your children can grow together. You will also educate yourself on how to provide the necessary tools that will enable your child to grow up strong, self sufficient and well balanced.

Playing both Mommy and Daddy

Single parenting today is especially tough when you don’t have contact with the other primary parent. This can be due to a lot of reasons, which include death, divorce and simple disappearance. Whatever the cause, the child may feel as if something is missing, especially when those important holidays roll around and that individual is not there.

One way to combat this is to try to fulfill the needs of the child that the other parent might have filled. It is easier than it sounds. For instance, if you are a mother raising a son alone, uncles and nephews may be on hand to teach the little one sports. A child who is missing a mother can get feminine guidance from a grandmother or aunt. Teachers, mentors and counselors are great resources when it comes to single parenting today as well. All have been known to provide a positive influence for kids.

Planning fun, “family time” activities with your child can also provide bonding experiences that cement feelings of love and trust. This can be important when the child feels the need to talk to you about things that upset them, like the fact the other parent is missing.

Cultivating Emotional Well-being

This leads us to another aspect of single parenting today-letting your child express himself. Sometimes, if the circumstances surrounding the other parent’s absence are painful, the primary provider may not wish to talk about it. Other well-intentioned parents believe that by keeping certain details way from their kids they are protecting them.

Depending on the child’s age, this may or may not be advisable. At any rate, if the child is asking questions, it is good to answer them as best you can. This makes them feel as if they can be open with you and you can develop a relationship with a strong communication foundation.

Single parenting today can be an extremely complex enterprise, but raising kids in any kind of home can be as well. Do not be afraid to seek advice from other parents and give yourself room to err and grow. If you combine this with giving your children plenty of love, attention and care, you will give them all the tools they need to become healthy, socially viable adults.

Pieter West travels the world on a regular basis and have written about numerous subjects. He has an extensive knowledge about, finances, DIY, parenting advice and many more subjects.

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Stepping out on the Parenting journey can initially seem daunting. You find yourself wishing there had been more taught at school on the subject. There is lots of support around, so please don’t be anxious. Below, you’ll find some parenting steps that may help.

1) MAKE TIME for your child. This might sound obvious, but there are often conflicting demands on our time and sometimes it is difficult to prioritise. You may be tempted to find alternative ways to occupy the children such as putting them in front of the TV watching a DVD or playing a computer game. However, there is no substitute for giving them your own time – it costs nothing, but is worth the world to them.

2) BE CONSISTENT in how you parent your child. If your child does something that is wrong, make sure they understand it is wrong and why it is. If they do the same thing again, tell them there will be a consequence eg (sit on the naughty step, go to their room, however you feel you should deal with it). If they still don’t get the message – carry out your threat. Don’t back down! They need to know you mean what you say. They need to trust your word.

3) ALWAYS PRAISE your child when they have achieved, or done something that pleases you. It is far more productive to emphasise the positives in a child’s behaviour than to dwell on the negatives. Giving a child a pat on the back does wonders for their self esteem and helps build their confidence. Think about it, most of us like to be praised if we have done a good job!

4) LOVE YOUR CHILD unconditionally. It’s sometimes really hard to tell them you love them when they have spent the whole day seemingly winding you up. If you’ve had a bad day, the chances are that you have lost your temper a bit with them. Come the end of the day, it’s really important that your child is reassured that you do love them. Tell them that you are unhappy with how they have behaved – and explain why – but that you will always love them.

5) GIVE YOUR CHILD A SENSE OF IDENTITY – an understanding of who they are. It is important for your child to know they have a special place in your family – and extended family. Your child needs to know they are valued and that they belong in a loving family. (This can be even more important if parents are estranged and families are therefore separated.)

Parenting is made simpler by adhering to basic strategies, although it can require a lot of patience at times. Your child needs to feel safe, loved and valued. Yes they will push the boundaries but stick by them, they help them feel secure. As they grow older you and they will hopefully have a very unique and special relationship for many years to come.

Maggie Thorpe has a specific interest in the subject of parenting. More Parenting information can be found at her website http://parentingtrend.com.

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A couple approached me after a recent parenting presentation asking for my thoughts around kids and mealtimes.

It seems they had different approaches.

One parent was focused on food and was concerned with the quantities kids ate. The other was focused more on behaviour and was more concerned with the quality of social interactions that mealtimes offered.

From my perspective, mealtimes are more than a mere pitstop for food. They offer a great opportunity for family members to talk, while bottoms are anchored to chairs. That’s why the TV needs to be turned off during mealtimes.

During our brief chat it seemed that both parents respected the other’s viewpoint, which was fantastic. But they clearly had some differences in their approach to parenting, that may not have been evident before the chat.

Differences in parenting approaches are natural reflecting past parenting experiences, gender differences and experience of children.

Differences are healthy, a sign of independent thinking, and can provide a sense of balance to family life.

BUT different approaches can cause discomfort, stress and anxiety to one or both parents, particularly when communication and empathy levels are down.

In some cases, the differences can lead to inconsistent parenting where there is no agreement on rules and standards of behaviour and inconsistent follow-through when kids behave poorly.

Parents who work together need to know when to compromise, when to keep out of the way and when to present a united front. Knowing when to take each approach takes practice and depends on what the issues are, your parenting styles and your individual values.

The 3 levels of parenting together

Getting on the same page as your partner takes work. It can be done whether you and your partner live together or not.

There are three levels of partnering working together:

Level 1 – Managerial: This is the day-to-day parenting level that focuses on aspects such as standards of behaviour, kids’ health, education and supervision. Usually one parent (mothers mostly) is the primary parent calling the shots, while the other takes a back seat as the secondary parent (dads mostly). The secondary parent usually follows the lead of the primary parent. Level 1 focuses on WHAT needs to be done to raise kids.

Level 2 – Child-rearing: This is a tricky area as it covers approaches to kids’ behaviour, how to build confidence in kids, the processes parents put in place for communication and how kids treat others. My conversation with the young couple I mentioned above was around this level. Level 2 fundamentally concerns itself with HOW kids are raised.

Level 3 – Values and attitudes: This is the BIG picture level. It looks at fundamental things you value such as developing independence, responsibility, tolerance, persistence and respect in kids. These are just a few -there are plenty of values and attitudes to develop. It really helps when partners are on the same wavelength when it comes to the things you value. This level concerns itself with WHY you do the things you do as parents. When you know the WHY then the HOW of parenting becomes easier.

From my experience you can get away with parental differences when kids are young, however it does become a big problem as kids move into adolescence. Some teenagers can become adept at driving a wedge between parents who are on different wavelengths. They generally go to the parent who will give them the answer they require when it comes to the tricky areas such as going out, access to alcohol and relationship issues.

It pays to start the conversation about parenting early on kids’ lives. That’s why I love it when parents come to a parenting seminar together. You both hear the same message, and hopefully, this generates healthy conversations about your kids and parenting. These conversations, generally start off around Level 2 issues (how you do things) but involve Level 3 issues (why you do the things you do).

Conversations at the WHY level are more fundamental, leading to greater understanding of where the other person comes from and the likelihood of presenting a united front to kids. And getting on the same page as your partner is always in the best interests of your kids.

The funny thing is, most parents are so busy talking about Level 1 issues (what you are doing) that they rarely talk meaningfully about Level 3 issues (why you are doing things), which is the absolute guts of what you do unless you purposefully sit down and do so. Parenting education provide the opportunity for getting conversations going that get you and your partner on the same page as parents.

Michael Grose is Australia’s NO. 1 parenting expert. He is the director of ParentingIdeas, the author of seven books for parents and a popular presenter who speaks to audiences in Australia, Singapore and the USA. Get your FREE Chores and Responsibilities for Kids Guide when you visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au. Get a hold of Michael’s sensational new book Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It at http://www.michaelgrose.com. You’ll be astounded when you learn about your birth order personality and how the position in your family impacts on your life!

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Many onetime parents-come-grandparents are getting a new lease on life these days; not retired, but re-tyred, and fit for another one hundred thousand kilometres or so–not of the ‘grey nomad’ variety–more simply, fitted for service in the ‘proactive grandparent’ mould.

I had the distinct pleasure of being edified by the Growing Families Australia team of Bill and Joan Grosser recently. They lauded the role of the grandparent as being one of the most important life roles any person can play.

These are some of the things I recorded and have made further comment on:

How will our grandchildren remember us?

Grandchildren remember their last memories of their grandparents; at least the last few years. Given that information, what legacy are we leaving? What would we like our children and grandchildren to say about us?

Do grandparents have a divine commission?

Plainly, yes! Grandchildren, it is said tongue-in-cheek, are a reward for not killing or maiming our own children. Children ordinarily believe that grandparents are “the only adults with time.” Grandparents have the window of opportunity to input into their grandchildren’s lives; the chance to leave a positive legacy for the next generation. Older people are clearly important in the lives of young people.

It is important that grandparents can share their authentic and sincere faith with their grandchildren, to transmit the wisdom messages before their journey of life ends.

Is proactive grandparenting a fine and delicate balance?

Yes indeed. Genesis 2:24 (NRSV) says, “Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Parents of adult children still too often interfere in the marriages of their children.

Grandparents cannot interfere too much in the family dynamic they’re blessed to support. Likewise, they’re not to become disconnected. Getting the dichotomy right is important. Establishing and maintaining a positive and appropriate connection as a grandparent is possibly the most important goal.

Some really important tips for proactive grandparents!

1. Don’t give your opinion unless it’s asked for. Always be prepared to actively listen and give only enough advice that would be helpful and welcomed.

2. Make your grandchildren visit and interact with you out of devotion, not duty. Be a joy in their lives.

3. Be a model and build strong relationships by being other-centred (focus on the needs of others, not so much on your own).

4. Tell your grandchildren vivid, appropriate stories about your children (their parents) that will help them know their unique place in life, building a wonderful sense of family history. (Most grandchildren with strong relationships with their grandparents love family stories–a sort of family ‘oral tradition.’)

5. Christian grandparents are urged to make the Bible real, vibrant and relevant to their grandchildren. No ‘Bible-bashing,’ but allow discussions on character development and discipleship to permeate through the relationship.

6. Be able to say sorry whenever it’s required; don’t delay apology when it’s needed. We all get it wrong from time to time and there’s no shame in that.

7. Finally, as a proactive grandparent you can be an encourager, a family culture carrier, a listener, an example, a security presence, and an intercessor–thinking and praying your grandchildren through their childhoods and into adulthood and right through life.

Re-tyring has a totally new and fresh feel about it now, doesn’t it?

This article is dedicated to my mother and father, who are fine active examples and models of what proactive grandparenting is all about.

Copyright © 2009, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Steve Wickham is a safety and health professional (BSc) and a qualified lay Christian minister (GradDipDiv). His passion in vocation is facilitation and coaching; encouraging people to soar to a higher value of their potential. Steve’s key passion is work / life balance and re-creating value for living, and an exploration of the person within us.

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It can be tough on families when grandparents are separated by a great distance from their grandchildren. It is only natural to want to be close to those that you love. But being a long distance grandparent does not mean that you cannot be a fully involved one. There are plenty of great ways to maintain your connection with your grandchildren. Discover some of the ways you can make your family the priority that they are without ever having to feel guilty or distressed over the space between you. Space and time does not determine the quality of love and commitment that you have for one another.

The point of family relations is forming a special bond that will last a lifetime and cannot be touched by such things as distance. A committed long distance grandparent can be more deeply devoted than one that lives across the street if it is in their actions to do so. Nurturing the relationship that you have with your grandchildren is essential. It is the root of all that you share. Regardless of age, you can have that special bond with each of your grandchildren. Though it may take some dedication and work, it is all a matter of reaching out and making yourself available.

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy relationship with your family is to keep in touch. Call or email them on a regular basis to find out how they are doing. Set up a time to have a web chat where you can talk with the use of a web cam so it is just like having a visit in person. Being able to see one another makes it much more personal and young grandchildren will especially enjoy it. Make a point to do this regularly so that you each have something to look forward to.

Planning a future trip or visit to get together is always a lot of fun. Even if you can only do it once a year, it is something to be celebrated and made special. Write letters or email and have conversations about everything that you can do together. Family that does not get to see each other all that often will never run out of ideas or things to do. Get your grandchildren excited about that future visit by getting them to make a list of everything they want to do during your visit. It will get you both anticipating that special time.

It is important to make sure that children realize why you must live so far apart. It can be difficult to understand for those that are incredibly young. Have them send you pictures and drawings regularly so they know that you want to hear from them and look forward to all that they have to share with you. Being a dedicated grandparent is what matters most, more than any span of distance. There are plenty of resources that can help to make long distances easier to deal with. Take advantage of them so that you can focus on enjoying your family.

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Raising a child is, of course, the responsibility of the parents; however, grandparents can play an important role in a child’s life. As a grandparent myself, I pray that I can have a meaningful and valuable impact on my grandchildren’s lives.

Some grandparents choose not to become involved with their grandchildren due to their busy schedules, or because they live far away, or because they really don’t wish to be bothered. Grandparents should be an essential part of a child’s life. Paul realized the influence that family members had on the young apostle Timothy when he wrote: For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well (2 Timothy 1:5).

What a blessing it is to be involved in our grandson’s life. Both sets of grandparents get to spend a lot of time with Calvin, since we all live nearby. He is a joy at ten-months of age, and I am thankful that his parents “permit’ us to be regularly involved with him.

My paternal grandparents lived in the same small town in which I was raised. They were an integral part of my growing up years. Grandma was an excellent cook and baker and, after school, I would stop in and taste whatever had just come out of the oven. She knew how much I loved cookie dough and always saved a pinch or two for me. Whenever I smell warm fresh baked bread, I think of my grandmother.

Just the thought of a slice of her bread spread with real butter makes my mouth water. Then there were her cinnamon rolls that I have tried to duplicate but don’t come close to her perfection. My cousins and I took turns staying at my grandparents’ summer cottage. What a treat it was to wade in the creek out back and attempt to catch crawdads in an old can, or play under the giant weeping willow tree in the front yard, or make a fort in the woods out of fallen tree branches, or catch fireflies in jars at night. We looked forward to dinner time when our grandfather would join us and make us giggle with his humor. These were such simple activities but ones that made wonderful, lasting memories.

Being a grandparent doesn’t require spending much money. All it really requires is a little time and the desire to develop a warm and loving relationship with grandchildren. I didn’t get to see my mother’s parents very often for they lived far away, but I have a lasting memory of my Grandmother Partridge that made quite an impact on my life until this day. She always traveled to see us with her flannel board. I learned a great deal about the Bible as I sat at her feet listening to her marvelous voice recount the stories of the Old and New Testament.

As parents, I hope you encourage the grandparents of your children to develop a close relationship with them. Their lives will be richer and fuller, and the positive impact on their lives cannot be measured.

By Carol DeMar. Visit her website at:

http://www.familyraising.com

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First, congratulations on completing your college degree! I’m impressed with the determination, drive and hard work you have demonstrated during your college days. Good job!

Every day marks the beginning of the next day of your life but there are certain days that represent major milestones. This is one of them. You are now faced with an almost infinite number of choices as you look forward to whatever you’ll be doing and wherever you’ll be going next. There is no right or wrong path to take in life, as all journeys can be great ones. It is you who’ll ultimately determine how interesting, fulfilling and rewarding the journey is, not the road you take.

Having said that I encourage you to take some risks, especially early on in life when you perhaps have more flexibility, and consider exploring different directions and ventures that may not be so obvious and common. If your ambition is to be like everyone else – nothing wrong with that – then you should follow the conventional path in life. If you want to try something different you have to throw conventional wisdom out the window and take what most people would characterize as risks or even irresponsible choices. This could be anything from spending a couple of years working somewhere in China, starting your own company, joining a sub-Saharan help organization, going to grad school in New Zealand, joining a two year long oceanic expedition or working in Switzerland or Norway for a few years. The list is endless.

Life is made up of a lot of small journeys and you want to strive to make them as enjoyable, interesting and rewarding as possible. When you embark on a journey you never know what will happen along the way and where it’ll end up, which, at least to me, is incredibly fascinating. Regardless of the path you choose I know you’ll be fine. But try to pursue something you really want to do although it is not always easy to know what that is. One piece of advice: never let money be the primary motivator for what you decide to do. Success is not measured by your job, your education, how much money you have or what kind of car you drive. Success is determined by who you are and how you lead your life.

I could spend a lot of time providing advice but I’m sure you’ll figure it all out along the way, which is the way life is. But I’ll share a few things that I have found of great help and could perhaps have done more of during certain parts of my life:

-Treat all people with respect and be nice to everyone – no exceptions
-Always maintain the integrity of your personal character – it defines who you are
-Have lots of good friends and actively cultivate your friendships
-Don’t expect too much from others – expect a lot from yourself
-Do what is right even if it is difficult – it is always tempting to take the path of least resistance
-Don’t worry about the past or about things you can’t affect – it only makes you miserable
-Never criticize and complain – it doesn’t require skills, intelligence or experience
-You have more power and abilities than you think you have – yes, you can move mountains
-Do more than expected at work, at home – don’t expect pats on your back – rewards will eventually come
-Never be afraid to tell the truth even if it is bad news – hiding problems only make them worse
-Be an independent thinker and make up your own mind – lead, don’t follow
-All relationships require lots of work from both parties – it’s never easy – mutual trust and respect is key
-Stay healthy
-And remember: life is too important to be taken seriously

I could go on and on but enough preaching. I know you’ll figure it all out.

Again, great job on your degree and enjoy your journeys in life!

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