Keira Knightley's campaigning video against domestic violence

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Divorce and Separation, The Essential Guide

Divorce and Separation: The Essential Guide

SEPARATED parents are reported to have a lot to answer for – from ‘yob culture’ and binge drinking to dire predictions about a child’s future inability to hold down a relationship.

Although the UK divorce rate is falling, so-called “broken homes” are said to be at fault for many of the pressing concerns of today’s society. No wonder loving parents who face a split with their partner feel bewildered and scared about what is to become of their children – not to mention the trauma that split will bring.

Linda Jones’ positive and supportive book, Divorce and Separation - The Essential Guide, shows that it is not divorce that wreaks long term havoc on a family’s life, but the way it is handled. It helps tackle problems head on, showing parents, carers and those concerned about children’s wellbeing how to find solutions.

Top judge calls for less acrimonious divorces

MR Justice Coleridge says too many couples are squabbling in court, reports the Times.
Too right. The senior High Court family judge says that rather than following the example of Sir Paul and Heather McCartney, they should be finding a more reasoned solution.
Well said Sir. If only more judges would speak up. It's good to see some are in touch. I bet he even knows who Gazza is.
Sir Jeremiah Harman meanwhile, who thankfully is no longer on the bench, once claimed not to have heard of the troubled Geordie star.
"Is there not an opera called Gazza Ladra?" he famously asked. When he was told Gazza was in fact a footballer, he asked: "Rugby or Association?"

Sex named as most common grounds for divorce

SEX is the most common factor in a couple getting divorced, the excellent Divorce Diva blog reports today.

That may not (cough) come as a surprise - especially as it includes infidelity. But hang on a minute, according to family law specialists Wooley & Co, it also applies to 'unusual sexual preferences.'

Call me old fashioned but shouldn't couples have a pretty good idea of what each other likes in that department before they tie the knot? Then you can run for the hills if you're not the same way inclined. Or perhaps not, sorry Mum.

Have you heard of the 'divorce diet' - losing weight too quickly?

WE'VE established that you have to look after yourself when you are in the midst of a break-up but one of the most enduring factors at such a time is that you erm, "forget to eat."

This piece argues that losing a load of weight through such stress and anxiety may not be a 'long term' health hazard. It may not be, but it sure isn't the way to go if weight loss is your main motivation!

Always remember that if you go through a period of 'depriving' yourself of certain food groups because you want to lose weight, or even because you are too stressed to think about eating, as soon as you go back to your old eating habits, you will put the weight back on. You can follow my weight loss journey here.

Got a great story you can't wait to tell?

THEN don't just save it for your mates!

Ever wondered where magazines and newspapers get their stories?

It could be you. I'm on the hunt for heartwarming, inspirational, quirky or entertaining stories for UK newspapers and magazines.

If you are in the UK and fancy being featured in a newspaper or magazine then please get in touch.

We love stories about people who have overcome the odds to have a family where the circumstances are truly "exceptional" or about inspirational lone parents.

But alongside these, editors also ask for stories from:

Staying fit through a divorce or separation

WHEN you reach the point of no return with your partner, chances are you are strung out and running on empty...and then things can get even tougher.

This piece outlines some simple steps to look after yourself when you are caught in the emotional maelstrom of a divorce and separation.

And right at the top could be? Be kind to yourself!

Media request: Author seeks mums to talk about sex and stuff

Kelly Rose Bradford is working on a non fiction book and would like to speak to mums who are prepared to speak honestly and amusingly about 'modern mummyhood', including their sex lives, relationships, infidelity and the impact of the internet on their lives.

She says she'd need to email them a questionnaire and then probably do a quick phone interview to go through it. She'd only use first name and age in the book. The women can be any age but they must be mums.

Get in touch to find out more.

"There was a lot of love in our house," millionaire twins pay tribute to their mum

IN my book, Divorce and Separation, The Essential Guide, I stress that whatever your beginnings, it is possible that actually, your life can turn out okay. I'm fed up of reading that 'broken homes' (and what does that mean exactly?) are the root of delinquency and unhappiness.

Anyone doubting that can see why it isn't always the case if they look at this video - just look at those rich, handsome men and what they have achieved. I wonder if an overweight, overworked mum of two from the UK would appeal? Possibly not. Sorry, did I say that aloud?

Would you give your old flame's jewellery to your new love?

DON'T you just love surveys carried out by PR departments? One latest piece of such research tells us that one in four people in the UK would lavish their current partner with jewellery originally splashed out on for a former love.

Charming. The good news is that apparently, three quarters of us, erm wouldn't.

The poll of "almost" 2,000 (well 1,904) people was carried out by Bloom & Co, a jewellery repair and remodelling service.