1.) Can you get (catch) acne from other people? Answer: While certain types of acne do contain a bacterium, it is located in the hair follicles under your skin and can not be transmitted through contact. So no, touching or kissing someone with acne will not cause you to develop acne. 2.) If both my parents had acne does that mean I will develop acne? Answer: Studies show that heredity does play an important role in determining who develops acne. So children of parents who had or have acne are at a grater risk then others. It should be noted that as with any disease just because you have a family history, does not guarantee you will get it; only that you have a much great chance then someone with no family history. 3.) Does eating or drinking certain foods cause acne? Answer: Over the years studies have suggested everything from chocolate, candy, fried foods, sugar, drinking water, orange juice to milk can cause you to develop acne or make existing acne worse. However their is no scientific evidence to support any such results. There are so many factors effecting acne development that it is very difficult to isolate any one cause. So whether or not to avoid certain foods or drinks is really just an individual preference. If you find your skin reacts negatively to certain foods, then just don't eat or drink it. 4.) Does dirt on my skin cause acne? Answer: Having proper hygiene will help with healthy skin. However dirty skin will not cause acne, but anybody with acne should be extra vigilant in having a good cleansing routine. Over washing can irritate your skin and make it more vulnerable to infection. Washing with a gentle cleanser will help reduce skin cell build up and keep your skin looking at its best. So find a balance and try not to over wash. 5.) Does stress cause acne? Answer: Stress has been shown to make acne worse, not directly cause it. So if you suffer from acne you should be aware of how you react under stress and develop ways to help manage and keep it under control. This will not only help with controlling your acne but also benefit your over all health. 6.) Can you develop acne once you are out of your teens? Answer: The simple answer is yes. In fact many people who never experienced acne as a teen can develop it in their 30, 40, and 50's. 7.) Does make up or sunscreen make acne worse? Answer: Certain products that are overly greasy and thick can plug the skins follicles leading to the development of acne. Not all products affect everyone the same way, so while you many develop acne using one product someone else may not. If you are prone to acne you will need to be extra careful with what you put on your skin. Try to always use oil free products and also test a small amount on a patch of skin for a few days before using it all over. 8.) Will exercising affect my acne? Answer: While it is still unclear why this happens, vigorous exercising that causes your body to heat up and sweat does seem to cause acne to get worse for certain people. One theory is that exercise increases the production of sebum, the oil that when to much is produced can lead to acne. 9.) Can a facial help with acne? Answer: There is no easy way to answer this question. The term facial is used to describe everything from an over the counter product you buy from a drug store and do it yourself to something done at an expensive spa for hundreds of dollars. The bottom line is anything that might irritate your skin can make your acne worse. 10.) Why does my acne stop responding to my current treatment? Answer: Acne medication, like all medications can become less effective over time as your body builds a resistance to them. It might be necessary to use acne treatment regiments on a rotational basis for optimum effectiveness. Mark MacKay is a researcher, marketer, and former Acne sufferer. For more information on Acne Myths, Causes, Types of Acne, Acne Treatments, Skin Care, Adult Acne, Teen Acne, Acne Discussion forum, latest research articles and much more visit Mark's Acne Treatments Explained web site now. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_MacKay |
Friday, November 16, 2007
Acne - Acne's Top 10 FAQ's
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Dog - Socialize Your New Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into the house is forever exciting and fun time. Everyone at home would like to play wit, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur. The last thing on minds of the most new puppy owners is to train the new addition, but is very vital that puppy training and socialization begin as early as possible. Mingling a new puppy is an important part of any training program, and it is also significant for socialization to begin early. The gap for socialization is very small, and a puppy that is not properly socialized to people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she is four months old never develops the socialization he or she requires to become a good canine citizen. Learning how to interact with other dogs is something that usually would occur among litter mates. However, since most dogs are removed from their mothers so soon, this litter mate socialization regularly does not finish properly. The most vital lesson puppies often learn from their litter mates and from the mother dog is how to bite, and how not to bite. Puppies usually roughhouse with each other, and their thick skin protects them from most bites. However, when one puppy bites too hard, the other puppies, or the mother dog, swiftly reprimand him, often by holding him by the scruff of his neck until he submits. In fact the best way to socialize your loved puppy is to have it play with lots of other puppies. It is also okay for the puppy to play with a few adult dogs, as long as they are friendly and well socialized. Many communities these days have puppy playschool and puppy kindergarten classes. These classes could be a good way to socialize any puppy, and for handler and puppy alike to learn some essential obedience skills. When socializing puppies, it is best to let them play on their own and work out their own issues when it comes to suitable roughness of play. The only time the owners must step in is if one puppy is hurting another, or if a grave fight breaks out. Other than that the owners must simply stand back and watch their puppies interact. While this socialization is taking place, the pack hierarchy must quickly become apparent. There would be some puppies that are especially submissive, rolling on their backs and baring their throats at the least provocation. Other puppies in the class would be dominant, ordering the other puppies around and telling them what to do. Watching the puppies play, and formative what type of personality traits your puppy has, would be extremely valuable in determining the best way to proceed with more advanced training. It is also significant to introduce the puppy to a variety of other animals, particularly in a multiple pet household. Introducing the puppy to friendly cats is imperative, as are introductions to other animals the puppy might encounter, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and the like. If your household contains a more exotic creature, it is essential to introduce the puppy to it as early as possible, but to do it in a way that is secure for both animals. It is often good to start by introducing the puppy to the smell of the other animal. This could be easily accomplished by placing a piece of the animals bedding, like a towel or bed liner, close to where the puppy sleeps. Once the puppy is familiar to the smell of the other creature, he or she is much more likely to believe the animal as just another member of the family. Anbhuselvan is an experienced dog care specialist and is also a good writer on the topic. He also gives suggestion on how to make your dog look catchy and colorful without irritating the dog's mood. Various products are designed and are available keeping in mind the dog's comfort and mood. For further information on dog care, dog clothes and accessories, and other dog requirements please visit www.dressypuppy.com and to contact anbhuselvan mail to: anbhuselvan@gmail.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anbhu_Selvan |
Dog - Socialize Your New Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into the house is forever exciting and fun time. Everyone at home would like to play wit, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur. The last thing on minds of the most new puppy owners is to train the new addition, but is very vital that puppy training and socialization begin as early as possible. Mingling a new puppy is an important part of any training program, and it is also significant for socialization to begin early. The gap for socialization is very small, and a puppy that is not properly socialized to people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she is four months old never develops the socialization he or she requires to become a good canine citizen. Learning how to interact with other dogs is something that usually would occur among litter mates. However, since most dogs are removed from their mothers so soon, this litter mate socialization regularly does not finish properly. The most vital lesson puppies often learn from their litter mates and from the mother dog is how to bite, and how not to bite. Puppies usually roughhouse with each other, and their thick skin protects them from most bites. However, when one puppy bites too hard, the other puppies, or the mother dog, swiftly reprimand him, often by holding him by the scruff of his neck until he submits. In fact the best way to socialize your loved puppy is to have it play with lots of other puppies. It is also okay for the puppy to play with a few adult dogs, as long as they are friendly and well socialized. Many communities these days have puppy playschool and puppy kindergarten classes. These classes could be a good way to socialize any puppy, and for handler and puppy alike to learn some essential obedience skills. When socializing puppies, it is best to let them play on their own and work out their own issues when it comes to suitable roughness of play. The only time the owners must step in is if one puppy is hurting another, or if a grave fight breaks out. Other than that the owners must simply stand back and watch their puppies interact. While this socialization is taking place, the pack hierarchy must quickly become apparent. There would be some puppies that are especially submissive, rolling on their backs and baring their throats at the least provocation. Other puppies in the class would be dominant, ordering the other puppies around and telling them what to do. Watching the puppies play, and formative what type of personality traits your puppy has, would be extremely valuable in determining the best way to proceed with more advanced training. It is also significant to introduce the puppy to a variety of other animals, particularly in a multiple pet household. Introducing the puppy to friendly cats is imperative, as are introductions to other animals the puppy might encounter, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and the like. If your household contains a more exotic creature, it is essential to introduce the puppy to it as early as possible, but to do it in a way that is secure for both animals. It is often good to start by introducing the puppy to the smell of the other animal. This could be easily accomplished by placing a piece of the animals bedding, like a towel or bed liner, close to where the puppy sleeps. Once the puppy is familiar to the smell of the other creature, he or she is much more likely to believe the animal as just another member of the family. Anbhuselvan is an experienced dog care specialist and is also a good writer on the topic. He also gives suggestion on how to make your dog look catchy and colorful without irritating the dog's mood. Various products are designed and are available keeping in mind the dog's comfort and mood. For further information on dog care, dog clothes and accessories, and other dog requirements please visit www.dressypuppy.com and to contact anbhuselvan mail to: anbhuselvan@gmail.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anbhu_Selvan |
Dog - Socialize Your New Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into the house is forever exciting and fun time. Everyone at home would like to play wit, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur. The last thing on minds of the most new puppy owners is to train the new addition, but is very vital that puppy training and socialization begin as early as possible. Mingling a new puppy is an important part of any training program, and it is also significant for socialization to begin early. The gap for socialization is very small, and a puppy that is not properly socialized to people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she is four months old never develops the socialization he or she requires to become a good canine citizen. Learning how to interact with other dogs is something that usually would occur among litter mates. However, since most dogs are removed from their mothers so soon, this litter mate socialization regularly does not finish properly. The most vital lesson puppies often learn from their litter mates and from the mother dog is how to bite, and how not to bite. Puppies usually roughhouse with each other, and their thick skin protects them from most bites. However, when one puppy bites too hard, the other puppies, or the mother dog, swiftly reprimand him, often by holding him by the scruff of his neck until he submits. In fact the best way to socialize your loved puppy is to have it play with lots of other puppies. It is also okay for the puppy to play with a few adult dogs, as long as they are friendly and well socialized. Many communities these days have puppy playschool and puppy kindergarten classes. These classes could be a good way to socialize any puppy, and for handler and puppy alike to learn some essential obedience skills. When socializing puppies, it is best to let them play on their own and work out their own issues when it comes to suitable roughness of play. The only time the owners must step in is if one puppy is hurting another, or if a grave fight breaks out. Other than that the owners must simply stand back and watch their puppies interact. While this socialization is taking place, the pack hierarchy must quickly become apparent. There would be some puppies that are especially submissive, rolling on their backs and baring their throats at the least provocation. Other puppies in the class would be dominant, ordering the other puppies around and telling them what to do. Watching the puppies play, and formative what type of personality traits your puppy has, would be extremely valuable in determining the best way to proceed with more advanced training. It is also significant to introduce the puppy to a variety of other animals, particularly in a multiple pet household. Introducing the puppy to friendly cats is imperative, as are introductions to other animals the puppy might encounter, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and the like. If your household contains a more exotic creature, it is essential to introduce the puppy to it as early as possible, but to do it in a way that is secure for both animals. It is often good to start by introducing the puppy to the smell of the other animal. This could be easily accomplished by placing a piece of the animals bedding, like a towel or bed liner, close to where the puppy sleeps. Once the puppy is familiar to the smell of the other creature, he or she is much more likely to believe the animal as just another member of the family. Anbhuselvan is an experienced dog care specialist and is also a good writer on the topic. He also gives suggestion on how to make your dog look catchy and colorful without irritating the dog's mood. Various products are designed and are available keeping in mind the dog's comfort and mood. For further information on dog care, dog clothes and accessories, and other dog requirements please visit www.dressypuppy.com and to contact anbhuselvan mail to: anbhuselvan@gmail.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anbhu_Selvan |
Dog - Socialize Your New Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into the house is forever exciting and fun time. Everyone at home would like to play wit, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur. The last thing on minds of the most new puppy owners is to train the new addition, but is very vital that puppy training and socialization begin as early as possible. Mingling a new puppy is an important part of any training program, and it is also significant for socialization to begin early. The gap for socialization is very small, and a puppy that is not properly socialized to people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she is four months old never develops the socialization he or she requires to become a good canine citizen. Learning how to interact with other dogs is something that usually would occur among litter mates. However, since most dogs are removed from their mothers so soon, this litter mate socialization regularly does not finish properly. The most vital lesson puppies often learn from their litter mates and from the mother dog is how to bite, and how not to bite. Puppies usually roughhouse with each other, and their thick skin protects them from most bites. However, when one puppy bites too hard, the other puppies, or the mother dog, swiftly reprimand him, often by holding him by the scruff of his neck until he submits. In fact the best way to socialize your loved puppy is to have it play with lots of other puppies. It is also okay for the puppy to play with a few adult dogs, as long as they are friendly and well socialized. Many communities these days have puppy playschool and puppy kindergarten classes. These classes could be a good way to socialize any puppy, and for handler and puppy alike to learn some essential obedience skills. When socializing puppies, it is best to let them play on their own and work out their own issues when it comes to suitable roughness of play. The only time the owners must step in is if one puppy is hurting another, or if a grave fight breaks out. Other than that the owners must simply stand back and watch their puppies interact. While this socialization is taking place, the pack hierarchy must quickly become apparent. There would be some puppies that are especially submissive, rolling on their backs and baring their throats at the least provocation. Other puppies in the class would be dominant, ordering the other puppies around and telling them what to do. Watching the puppies play, and formative what type of personality traits your puppy has, would be extremely valuable in determining the best way to proceed with more advanced training. It is also significant to introduce the puppy to a variety of other animals, particularly in a multiple pet household. Introducing the puppy to friendly cats is imperative, as are introductions to other animals the puppy might encounter, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and the like. If your household contains a more exotic creature, it is essential to introduce the puppy to it as early as possible, but to do it in a way that is secure for both animals. It is often good to start by introducing the puppy to the smell of the other animal. This could be easily accomplished by placing a piece of the animals bedding, like a towel or bed liner, close to where the puppy sleeps. Once the puppy is familiar to the smell of the other creature, he or she is much more likely to believe the animal as just another member of the family. Anbhuselvan is an experienced dog care specialist and is also a good writer on the topic. He also gives suggestion on how to make your dog look catchy and colorful without irritating the dog's mood. Various products are designed and are available keeping in mind the dog's comfort and mood. For further information on dog care, dog clothes and accessories, and other dog requirements please visit www.dressypuppy.com and to contact anbhuselvan mail to: anbhuselvan@gmail.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anbhu_Selvan |
Friday, November 2, 2007
Custody - My Adoption was a Travesty
Just yesterday I found out on line that my natural father, who I have always loved and adored, died on December 10, 2006. His legal name was Milan Kundich, and he was the most loving father a girl could ask for. My mom left him on my fifth birthday. He came to visit me often. He was so good to me. Then my mom met another man within a very short time who I did not like the first time I saw him. I had no idea who he was, he could have been a repair man, a neighbor, but my gut instincts were so strong, as most children's are, and I felt a danger about him. There was something that I picked up on that I immediately did not like. My mom married him, and I was cut off from seeing my natural father "Marlo" which is the name I knew him by. Then, a devastating blow hit me when my mom's second husband called me into their bedroom and said, "You can call me daddy now." I was then told I could leave the room. I was just six years old, and that began a sadness and blow to me that remained with me my entire life. I later found out that my second father pulled a gun on my natural father and threatened that he would kill him if he tried to see me. He's also put a loaded gun to my mom's head when she tried to leave him in 1985. She was petrified, and she never did leave even after decades of misery. I remember being six years old, and my mom and her second husband took me to Queens, New York Surrogate Court, along with my little sister, who was only three at the time. We were in the Judge's chambers, and I was legally adopted by mom's second husband. I felt my world shatter inside. All I wanted was to see my real father. I was told so many lies growing up. Lies like, "If your father really cared about you he would come and see you." Well how was he supposed to do that when he lost his parental rights? I was told that he "never tried to strop the adoption" which was another huge lie that lowered my self worth tremendously on top of the new life of physical, mental and emotional abuse I received from my adoptive father. Finally after twenty eight years of not seeing my natural father, I found him and went to see him in 1994. He met his grandchildren, my children, and he was as loving, gentle and kind as he always was. I was subjected to what people call "parental alienation" from him by my mom and second father. They spoke horribly and unjustly about him to me all of my life. Their words pierced me to the core when they would say things like, "If your father really loved you he would have been here and supported you all of these years." When I went to see my natural father in 1994, I went for "closure." I spoke with him several times, but then I backed away, moved, and did not contact him for a long time. I specifically asked him many questions, and the biggest one was, "Why didn't you show up to stop my adoption?" Well, he did show up. He was traveling from the Bronx into Manhattan when he hit a huge unexpected traffic delay that took hours to reach the court house. He arrived just as I was leaving the court house with my mom, sister and new adoptive father. Just yesterday I woke up crying literally out of the blue. I was shown and given a realization in my sleep about how my natural father was railroaded. I have been trying to find him for the last several months, but when I woke up with such strong emotions out of the blue, I went on a frenzied search to find him. I pulled out my original adoption papers and actually read them for the first time. It had me listed as a "Foster Child" which was a complete lie! Years ago I asked someone why my second father would adopt me when I never felt he loved me and he was so horribly abusive. Her answer was, "It was for control." I actually called Queens Surrogate Court, gave them the file number and told them that I wanted the adoption reversed, it was a lie and never should have happened. The clerk let me know, "An adoption cannot be revoked. But what you can do is contact your biological father and he can adopt you." He continued to inform me that, "Once a child becomes a legal adult you do not need your parent's permission to be re-adopted by your biological parent." So my frenzied search to find my real father began early in the morning and lasted for about eleven hours. He was no where to be found. Then, an idea popped into my mind to check the California death records. And there, I saw my dad's name, his accurate birth date, and his date of death. I broke down sobbing uncontrollably at the final loss of my real father. I let my mother know that my adoption never should have been initiated to begin with. I never should have been adopted, and I suffered from traumatizing abuse from my adoptive father, abuse that is shared in a few of my books. Less than a week ago, I registered a new book that is being released next year. It is called, "Adoption Shock: A Guide to Understanding and Forgiving." (ISBN-13: 978-0-9795161-3-9, Rose Group) Then, just four nights ago, in my sleep, I was given another book title for a new book also being released in 2008 called, "One More Goodbye." (ISBN-13: 978-0-9795161-4-6, Rose Group) If you are a parent reading this and you have a child who has a natural parent, please always allow your child the right to see their natural parent as long as there is not life threatening abuse. If you have been adopted, and you knew your biological parent and want to see him or her, please know this is okay. If you have lingering questions ask them! The truth always comes out in the end. I feel empowered to share that my legal adoption by my mom's second husband was a travesty. It was all for their benefit. And yes, I do forgive them because they had no idea what they were doing at the time, and that there was a much better way. That better way is called "open communication with a child's natural parent." I have one photo of me with my real father from 1994. it's out, sitting on my book "Dear God, How Can I Finally Love Myself?" I will turn around all of the pain I have been through to help others with my books, seminars and speaking events. I felt it was time to share the truth about unwarranted adoptions, and I hope this will help anyone in any positive way. ? 2007 Barbara Rose, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. Barbara Rose, Ph.D. is the best selling author of ten books including Dear God, I Have Teenagers. Please Help !, Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE, and Know Yourself. She is an expert in personal transformation, relationships, consciousness and spiritual awakening, and a pioneering force in incorporating Higher Self Communication, the nondenominational study and integration of humanity's God Nature into modern personal growth and spiritual evolution. Dr. Rose is known for providing life changing answers, quick practical coaching and deep spiritual wisdom to people worldwide as the Founding Director of Institute of Higher Self Communication. Her highly acclaimed books, public speaking events, spiritual intensives, teleseminars, webcasts, and internationally published articles transform the lives of millions across the globe. Dr. Rose works in cooperation with some of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time, to uplift the spiritual consciousness of humanity. Website: BornToInspire.Com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Rose,_Ph.D. |
Custody - Injury At The Workplace: What To Do?
Federal laws protect employees who are injured at their employment place. Every employer and employee should follow a few steps in order to comply with the rules and to solve such issues. Therefore it is essential to know your rights and duties as well as the ones of your employer. If you have been injured or an illness occurs at your workplace, the first step is to immediately inform your employer. The employer should provide you a claim form to complete. This form should be submitted to the insurance carrier as well as to your state workers' compensation agency. It is necessary that you submit this form as quickly as possible in order not to lose your right to benefits. Most illness or injury which occurred at your workplace is covered. Regardless of the seriousness of the accident or injury, you do not have to establish fault or negligence in order to collect. The cost of the program is also carried by your employer. Once your claim is processed, you should be notified on the amount of your compensation. Generally, you are entitled to receive one-half to two-thirds of your normal compensation while unavailable to work plus your entire medical, hospital, surgical, and rehabilitation costs. What if you or your employer disputes the claim? In the case, you are unsatisfied with your compensation or you have denied compensation you can make an appeal to the workers' compensation board. But in the case that your employer disputes the claim, you and your employer will be required to attend an arbitration hearing with the workers' compensation board. After the hearing, your employer can make an appeal of the decision and bring the case to the next level, depending on the appeal procedure established in the state. Eventually, you should keep in mind that you cannot file a separate civil lawsuit against your employer or co-worker if you already receive compensations. The reason lies in the fact that compensation is the unique remedy for an employee to obtain replacement income for work-related injuries and illness without going to the courts. But, if the injury was caused by a third party who is not the employer or coworker, you can still fill a separate lawsuit. Check Out More Articles: tire valve stem lawsuits, Valve stem lawsuits, patient confidentiality court cases Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kum_Martin |
Custody - Child Custody: Child Custody Orders and Judicial Authority
For many divorced and separated parents with children there will be a common answer as to why they ended up with the child custody and visitation arrangement they have. The answer being, "the judge decided it." In other words, the judge chose the parenting arrangement you have based on his/her belief of what was in your child's best interest. Judges do not always make the child custody decision or choose the parenting plan arrangement for the parent's. In fact, more often than not, the judge will not make the child custody decision for the parent's. It is usually when the parent's are unable to reach an agreement on child custody the judge will choose the parenting arrangement for them. If the judge makes the child custody decision for the parent's it is often referred to as a final judicial order or judgment on child custody. Parents typically know what's best for their children including decisions about child custody and visitation. The difficulty for the parents is often the inability to set apart their own emotions and wishes from the needs of the child. Parents are typically given the greatest amount of flexibility in choosing a parenting plan that reflects the best interest of their child. However, when the parent's are unable to come to an agreement on child custody and visitation the judge will often be given the task to make the decision about child custody and will also have a tremendous amount of leeway in choosing a parenting plan the he/she thinks is best for the child. This leaves vast room for a judge's interpretation of what is in the best interest of the child and often leads to arbitrary judicial decisions regarding child custody and visitation. When the court or judge chooses a parenting plan for the parent's it will usually result in one or both parents being disappointed or feeling a sense of loss. Typically one parent will feel as though they won child custody while the other parent felt they lost child custody. It's also not uncommon that both parents end up disappointed with the court or judges decision. Rarely both parents feel as though they won when the court or judge makes the child custody decision. To avoid arbitrary judicial child custody decision made by the court and judges you would be wise to learn more about how child custody decisions are made and the laws in your particular state. How judges have ruled in the past and what influences his/her decisions. Additionally, you will want to explore alternative dispute resolution options such as child custody mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration. If you are seeking legal advice on how to proceed with your child custody case you can consult a family law attorney in your area who spends a significant amount of his/her practice representing clients on child custody cases. Copyright ? 2007 Child Custody Coach Child Custody Coach supplies information, online materials, and coaching services to parents in the field of child custody, namely, divorce, child custody and visitation, child custody evaluations, 730 evaluations, parenting, and all issues related to child custody and divorce. "How to Win Child Custody - Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Cost!" is a unique child custody strategy guide written by The Custody Coach and made available by Child Custody Coach in an easy to read, understand, and apply E-Book format. Custody Match is an online consumer and family law attorney matching service to help you in your search for the right attorney for your divorce or child custody case. Custody Match can help you find the right family law attorney, divorce lawyer, or child custody attorney in your area. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Carlson |
Custody - Appreciation for Your Child
I know there are times when our children can really be a pain in the butt. I know they can get on our nerves periodically. I know if it wasn't for my child then I personally don't think my life would have become what it has become today. It amazes me when I look back over the last twelve years of my life and see my daughter continuing to grow up. It seems like yesterday when I use to bathe her, feed her, and watching every move she made in the house so she wouldn't run into any of the furniture. I know twelve years don't seem like a long time; but if you have been through what I've been through over the course of her young life then you'll understand why I appreciate my daughter. Through it all though; my daughter has turned out to be a remarkable young lady. It's funny how the years truly do fly. Now she's off to school each and every day, catching the school bus, coming and going to her extra-curricular activities and enjoying the time of her life. I have to appreciate all that has happened in my life when it comes to me being a parent and raising my one and only daughter. She's typical and like any other child, having her own way of thinking and she is the joy of my life. One thing I do is let my child know how much I appreciate her. Give your child their props now. Don't wait until some sugar daddy comes along and sweet talk her and sweep her off her feet. Let her know now how remarkable she is to you and express your feeling towards your child. If you have a son then treat him the same way with the respect of not letting some sweet sugar momma sweep him off his feet and blow him into an outer-space entrapment. Regardless of the challenges, pain and disappointment your child can bring into your life, it should help bring out the best in you. You and I made a conscience choice decision when it came to having children. So, it's our responsibility to raise them to help shape and develop their character and watch them mature into young adults; but by the same token during this process your lifestyle and character should have been improved as you have grown as a parent, meaning if it wasn't for the changes and attitude adjustments you had to deal with being a parent you never would have become the parent you are today. Are you a responsible parent today? Regardless if you are a single-parent or are happily married, parenting is a two-fold deal. One good way of making sure you and your child are on one accord and are bonding is by showing how appreciative you are of him or her. This type of parenting will teach both you and your child how to have mutual respect for each other and it will show others in general how to have a good and lasting relationship with their children. Express your feelings to your child or children and let them know how much you appreciate them. Your child or children are an asset to you and not a liability. Look, Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of your womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3. If you are struggling with your parental rights and responsibilities sign-up to receive tips on life in general and I can help you with your parenting concerns. Copyright ? 2007 Clark A. Thomas Clark A. Thomas, business expert, consultant and author, he discusses how to make single-parenting much less stressful. Writing articles has helped him become known online, get more newsletter subscribers and sell more products online. He's sharing all the secrets he has discovered in his Articles tips@custodysecretsnow.com. More information available at http://www.custodysecretsnow.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clark_Thomas |
Custody - Green Card
A green card is different from a work permit. If an immigrant has a green card, he has the right to work legally in America. However, a green card also gives an immigrant the right to live in the United States as a permanent resident. Obtaining a green card can be difficult process. You will usually need to find a sponsor in United States to help. In general, a U.S. relative or employer can sponsor you for a green card. If you can find a sponsor to start your application process, you can apply for green card at the U.S. embassy. The embassy will review your green card application. If you can convince the U.S. government that you are eligible, your application will probably be approved. Your passport will be stamped, and you must come to United States within the six months. Categories That Qualify for Green Cards: 1) Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens Check Out More Articles: Are Frivolous Lawsuits Legal, |
Custody - Divorce & Child Custody - What is a 730 Evaluation?
In California, a 730 evaluation can be described as an in-depth study and analysis of a family, their children, and the relationships within the family in the context of a child custody and/or visitation dispute. A 730 evaluation is also known as a child custody evaluation or child custody investigation. 730 evaluations are specific to California in that the number "730" refers to the California Evidence Code Section 730 under which it is ordered. In legal terms, California Evidence Code Section '730 states: "When it appears to the court, at any time before or during the trial of an action, that expert evidence is or may be required by the court or by any party to the action, the court on its own motion or on motion of any party may appoint one or more experts to investigate, to render a report as may be ordered by the court, and to testify as an expert at the trial of the action relative to the fact or matter as to which the expert evidence is or may be required. The court may fix the compensation for these services, if any, rendered by any person appointed under this section, in addition to any service as a witness, at the amount as seems reasonable to the court. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a person to perform any act for which a license is required unless the person holds the appropriate license to lawfully perform that act." A 730 evaluation is typically conducted by a "child custody evaluator," also known as a 730 evaluator or custody evaluator. The 730 evaluator will play the role of the investigator and look closely at the family dynamics so he/she can provide the court with a 730 evaluation report as evidence to help the court find the best possible arrangement that reflects the overall best interest of the child. The 730 evaluation report may be oral or written and the 730 evaluator may be called to testify or cross-examined at trial. A 730 evaluation is generally ordered for a specific purpose and usually within high-conflict or complicated child custody cases where expert evidence is required. Before agreeing to a 730 evaluation you will want to discuss your particular case with a family law attorney in your area to help you learn whether or not a 730 evaluation is the right approach for you. ? 2006 Child Custody Coach Child Custody Coach supplies information, online materials, and coaching services to parents in the field of child custody, namely, divorce, child custody and visitation, child custody evaluations, 730 evaluations, parenting, and all issues related to child custody and divorce. "How to Win Child Custody - Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Cost!" is a unique child custody strategy guide written by The Custody Coach and made available by Child Custody Coach in an easy to read, understand, and apply E-Book format. Custody Match is an online consumer and family law attorney matching service to help you in your search for the right attorney for your divorce or child custody case. Custody Match can help you find the right family law attorney, divorce lawyer, or child custody attorney in your area. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Carlson |
Custody - When Daddy Moves to an Apartment
Divorce is hard, there's no question about it. Not only has your marriage ended but, most likely, your lifestyle is undergoing some drastic changes also. This is especially true if you are forced to leave the place that was home to you and your family. Depending on your particular situation, you may find that moving into an apartment is your only option. Many times it's hard to think of an apartment as home after you've been accustomed to living in a house surrounded by family. But, if you choose your apartment wisely, you may find it'll become a cozy, comfortable haven. Take some time to select your apartment. Remember, this is going to be your new home. Don't rush the selection process. Decide how much you can afford to spend for rent and look at as many apartments in that range as you can. Location should be one of your prime considerations. Your life is complicated enough right now, don't make it worse by choosing an inconvenient location where commuting becomes a problem. If your children will be visiting regularly be sure your apartment is large enough to let them feel at home. If possible, select an apartment with a room just for them. Let them have a hand in decorating it so they'll feel a part of it. If you have joint custody of the children and they will be living with you while attending school, you'll also want to choose an apartment that is convenient to their schools and recreation areas. The type of apartment you choose will be important to how well you adapt to living in it. Like a house, choose one that fits your personality. If you like puttering in the yard, make sure there is some private space where you can do that ~ even if it's just planting flower boxes on your patio. If you enjoy cooking, make sure the kitchen meets your requirements. You also need to consider the atmosphere of your apartment complex. If you're going to have children living with you part time, most likely a singles community would not be the best choice. Neither would you probably want to choose an apartment in a building that is filled with senior citizens. If there are pets involved, make sure rules don't prohibit them. Turn your apartment into a home. Don't consider your apartment a place of exile! It's your new home and if you want to be happy there, you must give it your attention. Unpack the boxes and arrange your furniture in a way that's pleasing to you. Hang pictures or other art work on the walls and stamp your new home with your own personality. If you take pride in decorating it according to your own tastes, you'll find it becomes a welcoming and comfortable place to be. Remember you no longer have to consider anyone else's preferences ~ this is all yours to do with as you please! The more you're apartment reflects you and your interests, the more it will seem like home. Enjoy it! About the Author: Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the Internet since 1999 with Apartment and Relocation Websites: The Apartment Net and A Relocation and Moving Guide. Copyright 1999 - 2005 STANZEEKAY Inc. You have permission to publish this article, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and none of the links or content are removed or changed. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_Haley |
Custody - Getting What You Want With the Help of the San Diego Divorce Lawyer
A divorce lawyer is by definition an attorney that deals with family law. San Diego divorce lawyer offices are considered to be very good because, as always, experience makes the difference between winning and loosing and they have it. Divorce in San Diego has a long history, the first cases being filed back in the 1850's so you can say that any San Diego divorce lawyer knows what he's doing since this is a family business. Another thing you can say about a San Diego divorce lawyer is that he is prepared for any type of case. A mediation case, litigation or even a case that is settled outside of court - a San Diego divorce lawyer can handle it. Another thing you can do if you don't want to hire a San Diego divorce lawyer is fill out an online divorce form. This means that you will spare a few hundred dollars, but you won't settle anything very complicated. You will represent yourself in court, but all the paperwork is done by other lawyers. This way you can have all the legal work done by an attorney, but you will be forced to do al the physical work. This way you can be represented by a San Diego divorce lawyer without even being from the state of California. This is a risky job because you, as a physical person, don't know all the insides and you can be tricked easily by an experienced attorney. This kind of trick can be pulled if you are sure that your case is going to be mediated and settled outside of court without any disputes. This usually happens when the couple doesn't have any assets to split and, most importantly, the case doesn't involve child custody. If a simple breakup case turns into litigation, under these circumstances, you will most certainly need a lawyer and not just any, but a good one. There is another problem with filling out an online form: the laws of the state you live in might be different than the ones of the state in which the law office that takes your case is. If we take as an example a San Diego divorce lawyer office which is known to be very good, but the client lives in New York then the advice that a San Diego divorce lawyer gives is useless because the laws are different. Still a San Diego divorce lawyer can help you with a case in another state (even if the laws are different) if he is well prepared. It will take time for him to learn the laws, to get acquainted with the case and the problems it involves and, most importantly, to understand what the client's plan is for the case and what he should get out of it. It is very important to develop a healthy relationship with your attorney; it can even be called a symbiosis. This is another matter in which experience makes a statement: having dealt with a lot of cases like your own, a San Diego divorce lawyer can understand the plan you have better and even improve it. A condition for a San Diego divorce lawyer is to have seen everything in his lifetime, concerning divorce cases. This way he won't be taken by surprise by your case and will know how to deal with it in the best possible way. By the end of the case, by following these rules, you might get what you want and not give in to your ex's demands. A lot of jokes have been made on behalf of attorneys like "what do you call a thousand lawyers on the bottom of the ocean? A good beginning", but the most common thing said about lawyers is that they're just a little inhuman. These unfunny jokes are made because a lawyer doesn't think of the emotional side when he is in the middle of a case. This is one of the good trademarks of a San Diego divorce lawyer. Even though, as an attorney you have to understand your client, this doesn't mean you have to take his weaknesses. A lawyer just needs all the information his client has. Emotions get in the way of obtaining what you want from your ex and for a San Diego divorce lawyer with a certain name to protect, letting a case get to him is not too good. Lawyers have to be cold hearted to play the rough game of the law. They can even be called sharks sometimes because they attack their prey without any remorse. However, these facts are benefic to everyone: to the client because he wins the case and to the San Diego divorce lawyer because he can do his job well and have a normal life without being affected by his job. Sharks or no sharks, the lawyers are indispensable in a case, whatever the nature. Especially if it's a divorce case in which you can lose a lot: assets or even the company of your children. If you hire a San Diego divorce lawyer or if you fill out an online form and only get advice form a San Diego divorce lawyer, you must know that your case is in good hands. But, if you are willing to spend a little, be sure that your money and time are not spent in vain. Please visit this site because it contains information about what you need to win a divorce case: how to find the right San Diego divorce lawyer and what procedures to follow for child custody. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amelie_Gam |
Custody - Stepfamily Holiday Blues - How to Beat 'em
Among the many, many difficulties that stepfamilies face throughout the first years of their blending process, enjoying holidays seems to be one of the toughest. Your kids and stepkids have had quite a year, preceding this season. Now, into the middle of a home still trying to establish some sort of familiarity, come the holidays. And, rather than coming as a break from the day to day tension, special family celebrations tend to add to the confusion and stress. Just when you thought you had some sort of routine worked out and that you had figured out this new clan, everyone goes completely nuts over a "joyous" occasion. Now you find that dynamite can indeed come in small packages. Such minute matters as ... * when to open presents - Christmas Eve or Morning, * who to buy presents for - immediate family or in-laws or ex-grandparents, * what to fix for a "traditional" holiday family dinner - every family has its own special traditions that are most important, * or even which ornaments from which family get hung where on the family Christmas tree, ... can have normally civilized families (which leaves out many stepfamilies!) at each other's throats. Well, here are a dozen suggestions to help ease the way. (Sort of a "12 Ways of Christmas.") These suggestions come from a variety of sources, including our own experiences and those of the hundreds of stepfamilies we've worked with. I'll a-Have a Blue Christmas What is it about the end of year holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years - that cause so much insanity in so many people? Even well-adjusted, normal folks seem to shut down their reasoning skills at these times. And that's the normal minority of families who aren't dealing with the added bonuses we stepfamilies enjoy. We get to sweat over the logistics and timetables of not one, but two households' holiday schedules. Just as you are frantically trying to coordinate everyone's schedule in your family, your ex informs you that he'll have to have the kids that same day for his time with them. And you have to go along, because the kids have to celebrate at their dad's house, too. We also are visited by Ghosts of Christmases Past, carrying bittersweet memories of other family celebrations. None of the memories are painless. Bad memories - of, for example, the year your spouse got drunk and tore open all the presents before the kids could get to them - will always be part of our internal photo album, which opens whenever we hear certain carols or smell egg nog. But the good memories of that happy former family - enjoying the perfect Christmas when the kids were so little and sweet - those can be just as painful and disturbing in the midst of the chaos of a blending family's labor pains. We Wish For A Merry Christmas So, the seasonal insanity of the holidays isn't the sole property of stepfamilies. As noted earlier, everyone seems to suffer from the virus, but holidays are much tougher on stepparents. So much tougher, in fact, that many civil courts make a practice of allowing extra time on their dockets at this time of year for the flood of custody-related cases. Harsh statistics reveal how hard the blending process can be. While many shake their heads over the nearly 50% divorce rate across America, most don't realize that the divorce rate for stepfamilies is closer to 65 to 85 percent for second and third marriages! I believe that holiday pressures contribute a great deal to that failure record. It takes a whole-family effort to overcome the stigma and the hazards of blending two families with two backgrounds (which include failures and pain) into a new single family with a future. Some ex-family members never go away - nor should they. Holiday gatherings usually involve past relationships that many feel would be easier left in the past. It is vitally important though, especially for stepkids, to maintain contact with their roots. Stepkids suffer such disassociation with so many factors of the new life that grandparents, uncles and aunts, and cousins provide necessary anchors of assurance for them. However, right in the middle of a once-a-year reunion, tempers can flare and old fights may be revived and more damage than good may result. It is natural that these pressures build. What is not natural is forgetting to care for your children's needs before your own. All stepfamilies experience tension, fears, frustrations, and sadness over unfulfilled dreams. Where the damage manifests itself during the holidays is when you either hold the pressure in until it explodes, or you withdraw from the world by natural or chemical means. If we don't deal with our wounds, they will fester and kill us. On top of the internal pressure is external conflict. Both stepkids and adults feel like outsiders in their own home because of new family members who are strangers. Stepkids are expected to develop an immediate family feeling for people they know nothing about. At best, many stepchildren at family gatherings are treated like honorary homeless guests invited in as a token of Christmas kindness. But what can you do? Have A Holly Jolly Christmas Here are some steps you can take to help your family and you have a more enjoyable holiday season. These ideas come from a multitude of sources. Some are things we have discovered in our own family. Others come from the hundreds of stepfamilies we have met with over the years in support groups we hold in person and over the Internet. And still others have been gleaned from e-mails sent to our web site (www.stepcarefully.com). On the FIRST day of Christmas: Begin your holiday survival plan by acknowledging to yourself, and for every member of your new family, that it's OK to feel sad during "happy holidays". Allow for some down time, but don't stay there. These feelings that we've discussed and which you are starting to feel are natural. They are shared by nearly every stepfamily around the world - over 20 million in America alone! Realize where you are in your life. This is a starting point to a whole future. Statistics show over and over that it takes an average of four to seven years for stepfamilies to blend. Too many couples enter into a stepfamily with unrealistic dreams that they will fall right into a happy home life in the first year - or the first months, even! Accept that blending two families is tough, everyone has the same fears. Then move on. This is just one holiday season. Get through this one with at least some good times, and the next one will be easier. On the SECOND day of Christmas: Develop flexibility in your holiday plans. Everything doesn't have to be perfect. Again, realize that this is one celebration out of many to come. Next year, everyone will be a little more familiar with each other, a little more accepting. This is just one step in the blending process, not the whole thing. Being in a stepfamily means dealing with multiple family plans. Your ex - or you spouse's ex - will most likely have family celebration plans of their own, involving your kids. Naturally, it will be easier if you can work together in cooperation to coordinate both sets of parents' programs. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen very often. If your spouse's plans conflict with yours, you will have to find a way to compromise. More on this later. Remember that the purpose of family holidays is supposed to be for loved ones to gather and - well, love each other. If your family gets snippy about the seating arrangements around the dinner table, love them anyway. You are building a new family, with new traditions. Maybe one of those new traditions can be that little things don't matter so much. On the THIRD Day of Christmas: Keep a holiday journal of this, and every coming, holiday gathering. Without some perspective, you will likely feel that you are making no progress. But you will make progress. So, keep a journal. Record in it gifts given by and to whom, where you went, and some of the more notable things said and done. These days are valuable lessons, don't lose them. On the FOURTH Day of Christmas: Concentrate on making these Holy Days instead of holidays. Through the years, commercialism and frantic expectations have distracted us from the true reason we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year, and Easter. Some families even hold birthday parties for Jesus! Rather than give all the gifts to each other, the best gifts go to homeless, poor, or sick families nearby. Whether you are a Christian, or you practice another faith, or none at all, this practice can move your holiday mindset from competition and frustration to reflection and patience. On the FIFTH Day of Christmas: Begin new traditions just for your new family. Every family, every clan, every culture has its own special traditions for holiday celebrations. You developed deeply rooted patterns in your former household, and so did your spouse's family. Many stepfamily conflicts involve couples trying to continue to do things the same way they always did them. This is a recipe for trouble! Far better, many believe, is to scrap all the old ways and find new traditions. Begin by letting everyone have a say about what they would like to do. You may have to push past some resistance as members try to hold on to old memories of what they did before. But it is important that everyone is part of the process. If one member tries to force their opinion or ideas on the whole group, it usually won't work as well. Keep a positive attitude about the process. Everyone can participate in passing out food or gifts at homeless shelters, orphanages, or halfway houses. Adopt a family to share your abundance with. Don't just give money; get the kids involved. Let them see how much more fortunate they are to live in your stepfamily! Have a cookout. If you live somewhere warm, that's OK, but this activity will be more of an adventure if there is snow involved! Roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Look at the stars in the crisp, cold sky. Tell Christmas stories. Carols are optional. The point is to look for new activities you can repeat year after year to develop a kinship between the new family members. The second, third, and fourth times you do this, it will feel more comfortable, and it will bring back memories of this family's holidays. On the SIXTH Day of Christmas: Exchange life stories. Have the whole family - as many as you can gather together, old and new - prepare a short description of their favorite memory. This story can be about a funny time, a painful time, a trip, a lost friend, etc. No one needs to comment on the stories. If the stepkids want to talk about old times when mom and dad were still together, that's OK. Spouses should refrain from that, though. As the stories are told, look for insights into the teller's personality and dreams. You may get a glimpse of how your stepkids really feel. Some games, such as LifeStories, can be useful here to help every one get to know one another better. On the SEVENTH Day of Christmas: Switch days to celebrate to ease the pressure. If your kids' non-custodial parent must (or just chooses to) have your kids on the holiday, you may want to consider this alternative. Many stepparents have found that having flexibility in this area makes everyone more relaxed. Tell them you want them to have two Christmases this year, one with Dad and one with you and stepdad. Then, don't scrimp on the festivities. Whatever new traditions you're going to practice, give them as much attention as your other activities. This brings up a very important point. The primary focus of most holiday celebrations is the children. However, in trying to give our kids the best holiday experience, we can get carried away. If your honest desire is to make you kids happy this season, then think of them first. Constant bickering, tension and pressure to be happy and have fun, and tug of wars over whose home, when will not produce the desired result. Compromise, then make up lost time when they come home. On the EIGHTH Day of Christmas: If your kids do have to travel to visit Dad, don't whine about it. Family ties are important to all children, but especially so for stepkids. After spending all year in a new home with new family members to adjust to, your kids probably will feel relieved to be back around familiar faces. Let them. Don't fret or obsess about their being gone. Enjoy the free time; find some time just for yourself at least every other day. When plans are being made for your kids' or stepkids' visit away from home, look for positives about the trip. Make sure you don't make them feel guilty about wanting to see their parent. It should go without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that you should take care to never - ever - put down your ex or your spouse's ex in front of their kids. Never tell your children how awful you think their Dad or Mom is! First of all, you wouldn't want them to hear the same sort of thing about you. And secondly, regardless of how you feel about him, he is still your kids daddy. To belittle him belittles them, in their eyes. On the NINTH Day of Christmas: If kids come to visit you for the holidays, don't neglect them. Whether they are your own children, for whom your spouse has custody, or your stepkids, make them part of everything that goes on. They are not ropes for a tug of war game. They are not enemy spies from the ex. They are children hoping to have some enjoyment during a special time of the year, in a place that is not their home. You have the power to make a positive or a negative impact on them. Children who visit their other parent's home seem to fall into two categories. They are either an extended part of the family, or complete outsiders. Kids who visit every other weekend or just twice a year deserve some permanent consideration. Make sure they are comfortable and settled. They're not pets dropped off on you for a kennel stay. (Can you say, "Grinch"?) They are children who are basically at the mercy of your courtesies. If you live in a small house and have little extra money, be creative. Save up and buy (or even borrow) some furniture - a bed, a chest of drawers - it doesn't have to be a lot. The point is to make an effort just for them out of love. These could be the kids who care for you when you are old! On the TENTH Day of Christmas: Wear thicker skin over the holidays. As the inevitable pressures build (in those unfortunate enough to have not read this book!), be prepared to be an example of patience and lovingkindness. Be careful that you don't lose control of yourself and damage relationships you have to maintain throughout the rest of the year. Someone has to be the adult, it might as well be you. And don't be a martyr about it, telling everyone how tough it is, just do it with a smile. Even if no one else appreciates your strength, you can feel proud of yourself on January 4th! The kids who come visit you may very well be less than gracious about your efforts to include them and make them feel comfortable. Never mind. It's not really important how well someone receives a gift from you. It's how you give the gift that matters. The visiting kids may have been "prepped" by their mom or dad to expect you to be a monster, so they are putting up the best defense - a good offense. Well, you just prove to them what kind of a person you really are! And you will, good or bad. On the ELEVENTH Day of Christmas: Get back into your daily routine as quickly as possible. Children (and adults, too) thrive on consistency. Give them assurance that nothing major changed over the holidays, unless it was for the good by strengthening ties. Through all the families we've worked with, it has become increasingly clear that kids need order in their lives. They want rules and directions and security. Oh, they will deny it to the death! But stepkids who have opened up to me have by and large agreed that it makes them feel safe and cared for to know what the rules are and that they will be enforced regularly. This tells them that their parents are willing to make an effort to raise them. It's easy to just let things go. It's harder to insist on obedience. On the TWELFTH Day of Christmas: Keep your perspective. What's the bottom line in dealing with holiday madness in a stepfamily? The same three C's we teach in all our resources at STEP-Carefully! - Caring, Consideration, and Common sense. ** Care for your loved ones. Care about how you are teaching them to be adults. Care about the reputation you will be carrying through life. ** Be Considerate of others' feelings. Show consideration and respect for your new family's need for a solid, peaceful home. ** Use Common sense in handling problems. Some of the battles just aren't worth the effort. Common sense means backing up to look at the larger picture. Is this particular old holiday custom worth fighting over? Or would you be better off letting it go and trying something else. For the sake of your kids, act like Christian adults! It's Christmas, don't blaspheme the holiday by destroying what you've taught all year long. By Bobby Collins ?Copyright 1999 ------------------------- Bobby Collins is a stepdad first, then a minister, a certified family mediator, and founder of STEP-Carefully! for Stepparents!, the largest faith-based support organization for stepfamilies in the country. His articles have appeared in national publications and he has appeared on national TV and radio programs always teaching stepparents how to have healthier, happier families. His organization can be reached on the Internet at http://www.stepcarefully.com where visitors will find free articles, a free newsletter, and a book store with proven stepfamily resources for sale. Collins is best known for his private family mediation between husbands and wives, ex-spouses, and stepparents and their stepkids. With over a decade of experience, he has helped thousands of stepfamilies survive and succeed. Contact him directly at coach@stepcarefully.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Collins |
Custody - Good Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers Exist Despite Lawyer Jokes!
Ever since I was in high school I've heard lawyer jokes. When I became a litigation paralegal many years ago I became patently more aware that they existed and heard them even more. Today I don't hear them as much. Why? Probably because I'm a Rhode Island lawyer and there are a good many people who are decent enough not to simply throw out a tasteless (or even tasteful) joke at parties or gatherings simply to have a laugh by insulting my chosen profession. In truth, most people would agree that personally I have a fairly good sense of humor and that I could (and in all probability would) appreciate a well-told joke regardless of any negative connotation that it may have on my chosen profession. I mean, let's face it. . . .most jokes poke fun at what people perceive (albeit stereotypically) as a dominant trait of a profession, race, religion, etc... In fact, on our office coffee table we have a book of 500 Lawyer Jokes for those waiting to meet with us. This little book and the idea of jokes about our profession actually spawned a brief conversation between a few of my Rhode Island colleagues, myself included. First, the attorney who actually provided the book to us for the table found it to be ironic and expressed that clients would probably appreciate it that an attorney's office would have such a book for their clients not only in plain view but literally placed right in front of them so they would almost certainly read it. The message conveyed to clients and visitors in this case seemed to be that we as lawyers are not so stuffy, pompous and overly professional that we cannot step back and either "look at the lighter side of our profession as lawyers" or laugh at ourselves and colleagues who, though lawyers, may have made atypical blunders that are in truth funny or downright hilarious. Now another Rhode Island attorney who came into the office found the book personally offensive and thought it inappropriate to have the book at all. This attorney's feeling was that lawyers as a profession have been ridiculed for years and a gross misimpression has been presented to the public that we are all greedy thieves who make too much money and only survive to see how much money we can get out of people. My colleague's opinion was that by providing such a book to clients we are perpetuating and fueling the bad sentiments of the public toward lawyers. Then there is me. I'm undecided on the subject of this little book. In the scope of a law practice, the big picture of world events, the struggles of those who barely survived in the wake of Katrina's devastation, this little book seems so trivial and yet it still has a place and plays even the smallest role societies perception of the profession or even the person (or people) who have the book such that people continue to make judgments and those judgments still affect business and personal decisions about who we will and will not work with, who we will hire and who we won't and even who we will associate with. It is, to say the least, a small yet interesting philosophical maze of thought. There is, however, one point upon which I can generally agree. The general public concensus reveals that lawyers are not looked upon well and they have received a "black eye" as far as professions go. As a Rhode Island lawyer I fell into family law more by accident and necessity than anything when I first began my law practice. Today focus my practice on Rhode Island divorce and family law issues. Today, however, I find myself contemplating this little book of 500 Lawyer Jokes and the opinions of my colleagues as well as what I know to be a fairly consistent consensus of the general populous that by and large most lawyers (divorce, family law or otherwise) are cheats and swindlers that are overpaid and can't be trusted. The conclusion I come to is somewhat self-informative. We as attorneys (in various areas of law) have a black eye in the community and the public at large. I found this much more fascinating and much more significant than the little book on the waiting room table. Yet this is a thought process that is far from complete and will take a bit more pondering. In closing this particular blog post, I have no true opinion on the little book itself. It can stay. It can go. It's a book. It's information. It's entertainment. Just as the author has the right to poke fun at the legal profession which is still only made up of people who do make mistakes which are sometimes hilarious, I believe that clients should be able to read such things if they like. If I can't laugh at myself and at those who artfully poke fun at my profession then my skin is a bit too thin for me to be practicing in my own profession. Pride in my profession does not mean I need to be intolerant of others or their writings. The more crucial question I will ponder for the continuation of this blog article is this. Whether as a Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Lawyer or a Rhode Island Superior Court Litigation Attorney or an Estate Planning Lawyer my profession has a "black eye" in view of the public, is the black eye misconceived or is it well-deserved? I'll keep you posted as this philosophical joust continues. In the meantime, there are still good Rhode Island Lawyers out there and I'm happy to assist anyone with their divorce and/or family law issue. Yet to the extent that I am not the right attorney for you or the match simply isn't there, I am familiar with several attorneys in Rhode Island besides myself that I believe are also atypical of the black eye our profession may have and I can recommend them unwaveringly and without hesitation to help you in any of the various legal matters you may encounter. This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. You should not take legal action without legal advice from a licensed practitioner who has been fully informed about your specific circumstances. Visit my Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Blog |