Summary: Tom begins the podcast reminding the listener that the welfare of the children is paramount to the state and anyone involved in the dispensation of the assets and the fiscal responsibilities of the divorcing parents. Adrian shares that in his divorce he and his ex broke up their marriage in phases- and that they were both on the same page in terms. Tom reflects on the urge to engage children in the communication process and the problems that causes. Adrian reinforces the difficulties in using children as mediators and how it can cause kids to manipulate the situation to their benefit. Adrian continues by reminding the listener about the problem of leaning on your kids for emotional support. Tom reflects on "manning up" and presenting a stiff upper lip and not allowing the hurt of your break-up to effect the relationship and maintaining continuity. Adrian reminds the listener that kids will use parental reactions as guides for their own behavior and how they might probe for weakness in discipline and consistency. And discusses examples of how his kids try to use the break-up as a means to get toys and other things that they want. Tom references Jim Smoke's Growing Through Divorce's "Disneyland Dad" and reinforces the critical value of ritual and routine. Tom and Adrian discuss the value of communicating through email and re-enforce kids inability to support their parents' emotional well-being. Tom closes with the importance of separating emotional responses from your children and keeping a positive attitude about your relationships with them-regardless of your emotional state relative to your ex. Transcript of the podcast is available here
