Read more articles

divorce advice

I’m Listening! Divorce Advice in Response to Your Comments

Divorced Girl Smiling has been in existence for 14 months, and during that time, I’ve done my best to offer divorce advice not only in an inspirational way, but I constantly strive to be impartial, nonjudgmental, and of course, funny, at times to lighten things up. What I want you all to know is that … Read more

divorced couples planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Divorced Couples Planning A Bar/Bat Mitzvah

A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a truly happy occasions, a milestone, and a time when parents beam with pride and joy. But for many divorced couples planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, what’s supposed to be a really fun, happy occasion can become another source of stress, a reason to argue and resent each other, and even sadness. … Read more

Gwyneth Paltrow Divorce: Her Single Mother Comments

The first time I heard about the Gwyneth Paltrow divorce was when I was watching the news and heard about some comments she made about being a new single mother. Here is a quote from Paltrow from an article in USA Today: “I think it’s different when you have an office job, because it’s routine … Read more

Married Guy Gives Successful Marriage Tips to Divorced Girl

Divorced Girl Smiling can give endless tips and advice and opinions on being newly separated, dating, the divorce process, co-parenting, dealing with the ex and life after divorce. What I really don’t have the authority to tell you is how to have a successful marriage. Although I have written blogs that include marriage advice at … Read more

the L word

Have You Said The L Word Lately?

Almost every person I’ve ever talked to who is newly divorced says one or more of these things in reference to dating after divorce: “I will never get married again,” or “I’m done saying the L word, it’s just not in the cards for me,” or “I am never going to meet someone, ever again” … Read more

rules of opposite gender friendships

Rules of Opposite Gender Friendships

Platonic friendships have always been important to me. I had many male friends when I was single, dating, married, and now divorced. But are there rules of opposite gender friendships? And how do they apply to people who are either in relationships or married? Here are 4 rules of opposite gender friendships:   1.    It’s … Read more

Ever Been to a Divorce Party?

Pilossoph (third from the left) at her Divorce Party last Thursday night   Many of you know that I am a features reporter for Sun-Times Media. So, if last Thursday’s event, the Divorced Girl Smiling Divorce Party/Fundraiser wasn’t MY party, I might have been there covering it, taking pictures and then writing the story for … Read more

kindness in divorce

Acts of Kindness in Divorce: Rare but Powerful

Dirty looks, eye rolling and sarcastic remarks are what many people expect when it comes to dealing with their ex. It’s sad, and it sort of seems like the norm. I hate it. However, from time to time, I hear about an act of kindness in divorce that inspires me and gives me hope that … Read more

Divorce Advice: A Cheat Sheet for Finding Peace

I am going to give you some of the best divorce advice! It’s actually just life advice, in other words, it’s not just for divorce, but can truly help you if your divorce is wearing you down. In my opinion, divorce can be exhausting, and can take a toll. IF YOU LET IT.  I guarantee … Read more

divorce process

The Divorce Process: Let me Introduce You to the Judge

It’s hard to believe it’s been 17 years since I went through a divorce, but I still vividly remember how intimidated I was when it came to the divorce process. I knew nothing about how divorce worked. I had never heard the words, “litigation, mediation, statute, decree, or prove-up.” The divorce process is complicated, lengthy, … Read more

forever relationship

Why it’s Unrealistic to Expect a Forever Relationship

We all get married expecting that we are in our forever relationship; our relationship that won’t end until we die in our sleep at age 102. That sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? The reality is, that’s probably not a high statistic (unless you live in one of the blue zones.)  Before I get into why I … Read more