There are divorce related triggers everywhere, just waiting to jump us as we make it through the day. Our goal is to eventually not let them bother us. Today I got jumped in a faculty meeting. Continue reading “Post-divorce triggers: they’re a thing, man!”
Daughters and when the assistant principal calls
I love you. But what you did is really not good. When adults do what you did, they can end up in jail. Since you are a kid, you won’t go to jail, but you will have some serious consequences.
Back to school today after the holiday break. It was a faculty work day, and we are heading into the last two weeks of the semester. A busy time of grading and planning. And then my 7th grade daughter’s assistant principal called. Continue reading “Daughters and when the assistant principal calls”
Divorced Dad’s Cabbage Soup Recipe
Sunday night. A Patriot’s loss. Tomorrow I return to teach after the holiday break. And I am ticked off at the ex dragging her feet on signing a financial agreement she an my lawyer drew up.
I don’t want to cook, but my three kids and my son’s girlfriend home from college, need to eat.
A soup is a simple way to get nutritious food on the table.
Ingredients
- Chicken (I am using two thighs tonight) or a package of Stew Beef
- One box of broth (I am using Low Sodium Pacific brand organic chicken broth)
- One celery root, chopped into squares (adds flavor and a different texture from regular celery hearts)
- 4-5 large carrots chopped into slices
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped into thin slices
- Two bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- One head of green cabbage, chopped into squares (I’m Polish. It’s cabbage. It’s winter. Yummy. Deal.)
- (Optional) if you want to make it into a tomato soup, then add one six ounce can of tomato paste.
- Curly parsley, chopped fine and used as garnish.
- Egg noodles. I splurge a bit and buy the best quality egg noodles they have at the store. My kids love them.
Directions
- Throw everything into a large pot.
- Cover with water.
- Boil and then turn down to a simmer. Cook the heck out of everything. About 45 minutes to an hour.
- Make sure to text your oldest and let him know that dinner will be ready in 30 minutes and that he should come back from ice skating with the girlfriend.
- (Optional) Add the tomato paste and stir. Cook an additional 5 minutes.
- Salt to taste at the end.
- Follow the directions on the egg noodle package. Serve the soup over the egg noodles. Add chopped parsley to taste.
And that is it. Let me know what you think.
Non-custodial for administrative purposes only. Avoiding conflict in the college financial aid process.
Understanding how divorced parents are categorized when applying for financial aid is key to overcoming the negative feelings that come with being defined as a “non-custodial parent”, and ultimately avoiding conflict with your ex.
The College Board sent me an email the other day letting me know that my child is applying for college financial aid, and as the “non-custodial” parent I should complete my section of his CSS financial aid application. They let me know that “failure to complete this requirement will delay processing of your child’s financial aid application.”
The voices in divorced dad’s brain heard the email say, “Hey deadbeat! Your kid wants to go to college. We know you haven’t done anything for him recently. His mom, the custodial parent, has already done her part by filling out the required forms. So get your act together and do something for you child, for once.”
Luckily I had been planning for this day for the previous two years, Continue reading “Non-custodial for administrative purposes only. Avoiding conflict in the college financial aid process.”
Divorced Dad Cooking: Categorize your way to quick and nutritious meals
“As a divorced dad you probably fall on the cooking spectrum somewhere between the mastery of Gordon Ramsey and the guy that the fire department knows by first name.”
Food. Apparently we need to give our kids some when they are with us. If your crew is like my crew, then they would be happy eating out every night. And if your wallet is like my wallet, then eating out every night, although easier, would make other purchases, like toilet paper and heat, prohibitive. Continue reading “Divorced Dad Cooking: Categorize your way to quick and nutritious meals”
No Sex for You!
Last night my oldest, my 17 year old son, asked me if he could sleep downstairs.
Context: Since Christmas Eve, when her parents left for a trip to China, my son’s girlfriend has been staying with us. She has been sleeping on the futon in the living room.
With the teenager’s hopeful question, Divorced Dad’s brain went on full alert, “Ummmmm…why?” I stammered. Continue reading “No Sex for You!”
Typos and dating are so metal!
Another divorced friend on FB this Christmas Day:
I’ve listened to way more metal this Christmas than one can wrap their head around.
Divorced Dad:
I just turned off King Diamond to sit in front of the fire.
FB friend:
I was listening to Mercyful Date (<— typo) this morning.
Divorced Dad:
I’ve had a few of those…mercyful dates that is.
Dating for the first time after 20 years…mercy mercy me.
Of tattoos and boots
My 41st birthday is tomorrow. The day after Christmas. Last year, for my 40th, I got my first tattoo to celebrate both middle-age and my impending divorce.
Today, with my kids at their mother’s, I started this blog. Tomorrow I plan on going back to the mall with my daughter (12) to exchange the pair of boots that I got her for Christmas. I hate malls. I love my daughter. Continue reading “Of tattoos and boots”
Divorced Dad 101 