Divorce Balance

Negotiation > Recovery > Enhancement

Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Instruction Manuals

For some of you, these two words conjure up frightening images of that ominous tome that came with a toy for which the packaging promised, "Assembly's a snap!"

Yet you've managed to lose it in the debris field of shredded wrapping paper and sugar plumb fairies.

Find those instructions and Lego can step-by-step you through the 718 pieces of its Robotics Invention System 2.0 to build and program "an Arbot that draws amazing pictures." Well, my son already draws amazing pictures. So just imagine how I'd parent if he had come with an instruction manual.

Or did I miss that handout?

Now add divorce. Friday is the last day of school. Parents switch their children's living arrangements for extended periods during the holidays.

Rather than dole out homework here, I'm simply going to ask that we monitor our parenting for the time our kids are with us.

Do the words "instruction manual" come to mind at the end of all that?

Help is here. Michigan State University Extension holds its parenting classes right in our local communities. "How To Talk So Kids Will Listen," "Parenting On Your Own," "Rethink – Anger Management for Parents," and more.

Also check out the University of Michigan Work/Life Resource Center.

No one got a secret how-to guide (for which you were mysteriously left off the list). Claims of instinct are hubris.  Don't be intimidated: Look for instructions.

Heck, even Lego instructions are available on line for those of us who lose 'em!

—posted by Dell Deaton @7:07 AM EST 12/15/2004 [250]

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