Family celebrations can feel like a nightmare when you are getting divorced. Instead of feeling happy and excited for the event, the anticipation of seeing and/or dealing with an ex can feel stressful, awkward and uncomfortable. So instead of looking forward to what should be a happy occasion, you find yourself dreading it. Here are … Read more
Fighting about money with your spouse or ex-spouse? Sadly, it’s common, and it’s difficult, frustrating and uncomfortable! Does this conversation sound familiar? Wife: “Honey, I need money.” Husband: “What for?” Wife: “What do you mean, ‘What for?’ To pay bills!” Husband: “I’ve never seen anyone spend more money than you.” Wife: “Stop being so cheap.” … Read more
It’s hard to know what life after divorce for men and women looks like until you experience it. You might be reading this and either thinking about divorce or going through one, and you have no idea what life is going to be like. This is a story that might give you a glimpse of … Read more
From a reader: I have been married 10 years and I want a divorce. I love my husband so much it hurts to have to tell him I am leaving. We have been fighting for 4 years now, since my dad died, and even more so for the last year, since my mom died. Mainly … Read more
It’s kind of ironic. You get divorced and you don’t think anything can be worse. Until…the heartbreak of your next relationship. The pain you are feeling can seriously feel physical. I have had chest pain after a breakup. And read this woman’s email to me. She’s saying “It’s hard to breathe!” I’m a 35 year … Read more
Divorced Girl Smiling received this e-mail from a young woman seeking divorce advice. It made me realize how little I write about divorce with no kids involved (with the exception of second marriages that end in divorce with no kids.) But what I want to say is that divorce is painful whether the couple has … Read more
A DGS reader asks: What do you think I can do to draw a healthy, stable, loving relationship into my life and stop dating losers? Is it me, or is this a nicer way of asking, “How can I avoid picking complete losers and meet someone who is normal and who treats me well?” In … Read more
I don’t know one divorced woman or man (or anyone on earth-divorced or not) who doesn’t have days or even longer times when things seem to be imploding in their worlds. In my own situation, I describe those periods of time as feeling like I’m in a dodge ball game, and the balls just keep … Read more
From a reader who says, “Everything my partner does irritates me:” Jackie, Why, when people are in a serious relationship, do they sometimes irritate one another to the point where they don’t even want to talk? Is getting annoyed with your significant other common? Is it normal? I really love him, but everything my partner … Read more
Here is an email from a man thinking about separation from his wife. I truly feel for him because it really is a tormenting decision to have to make. Jackie, I’m thinking about separation. A few months ago I found out my wife was cheating on me and now I’ve been left with the decision … Read more
When I got an email from a reader asking how to end a relationship on good terms, I immediately thought of the famous post it note that Berger gave Carrie on Sex and The City. that read “I’m sorry, I cant. Don’t hate me.” Here is the email I received: I recently met … Read more
Divorced Girl Smiling received this e-mail from a reader seeking advice about sex after divorce and how to be safe. I went out with a guy a couple of times and we really hit it off. Our relationship quickly became physical and in the heat of the moment, I did not address the issue of … Read more
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