When stepmoms lose it....

Do you know a stepmom on the verge of losing it?  I wonder if someone had intervened early on could the following  have been avoided?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/09/15/north.carolina.slain.girl/index.html?iref=obinsite

Are we stepparents real?

The Supreme Court let stand a ruling that ultimately could affect as many as one-third of all Americans — anyone in a stepfamily. But you'll probably never realize it from any news reports on the ruling.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1195205,00.html#ixzz1WWXAC0o8

Father-in-law kicked to the curb.

Who needs a Mediator?  We do.

Why would anyone possibly need a mediator when he/she can fix his own problem, asked my 16 year old son?  He continued to tell me how he would never seek help from a mediator if he was ever in a bind.  Loving words from a son to a mother, who happens to make a living as a mediator.  His words gave me something to think about. I would think of ways to explain to him, how he would miss out on an excellent tool. 

If you live with a teenager in the home you may run into opposition with any suggestion or recommendation you make.  My son’s refusal to mediate may simply come from rebellion.  One thing I would make sure of, his refusal to mediate would not be from a lack of understanding of the mediation process. 

How many people today refuse to mediate because they do not believe mediation/arbitration will be of any use?  In this case mediation could have helped this family—George had just turned 65.  He applied for Medicare and waited several months before hearing back. Meanwhile George’s two adult sons were picking up the tab on his medical expenses, and their wives were becoming resentful about the money leaving their household. Neither of them had ever heard of Medicare parts C through N, additional coverage which could take some of the burden off his sons. One day a family friend mentioned the extra coverage to George. George reluctant to say anything kept quiet. He didn’t want to be more of a burden on his sons. When his Medicare kicked in and all his medical expenses were not covered, his sons continued to pay the difference and eventually their wives left.  With resentment building for their failed marriages, a big blow out ultimately ensued, and all communication between George and his sons ceased.

What’s wrong with this picture?  Many things right off the bat.  But the most obvious is the lack of communication between all parties.  With everyone afraid to hurt the other, they all chose to keep quiet.  Had anyone suggested mediation to address the family dynamics, all of the unspoken issues would have surfaced in a non-threatening manner. George would have had his extra coverage, his sons would still be married, they’d have more money in their pockets, and the relationship between George and his sons would be strong.

 For more information on Mediation or Medicare coverage visit www.millermediators.com or drop us a line at 201-266-6592.  Rebecca Miller Pringle is a court registered mediator and arbitrator, while her husband David assists those with their insurance needs. 

Lawyers need to be problem solvers and not our problem!

Good article from today's edition of Pasadena Star-News on the need for lawyers to be problem solvers. The article can be found at the following link: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/business/ci_18639868

As a mediator, I have had many divorce mediations where I have had to mediate between the two attorneys.  In particular, two women attorneys who did not like each other, and kept putting the other one down.  If I knew I'd be at cat fight, I would have bought some cat nip to the session!

If more lawyers were problem solvers as Attorney Mark Baer suggests, the costs of litigation would not be as high as they are today.  What do you think?

Man Allegedly Shot Son-In-Law - News, Sports, Jobs - The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

Man Allegedly Shot Son-In-Law - News, Sports, Jobs - The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

10 Excuses for Not Attending a Family Reunion

10 Excuses for Not Attending a Family Reunion

Looking for a reason to skip out on a family reunion? Do you ever wonder how other people get out of attending one? Listed below are ten common excuses people use to get out of attending a family reunion.

1. Someone died. This is a popular one; just make sure that the funeral that you are claiming to have to attend is not one of a relative’s. Better yet make it someone from out of town and then actually leave town so you don’t get busted.
2. I’m sick. Although this one can be useful, make sure that you only use it if you know no one from said reunion will try to come over to take care of you.
3. Someone else is sick. If you use this excuse you have to be careful that you don’t have a parent or other close relative that is attending the reunion who will offer to relieve you from your nursing duties, so that you can attend the reunion.
4. I already have plans. Make sure that you really do have plans and are not home in case you get busted by someone driving by. Or make plans for that specific day so that it is the truth.
5. I have to work. Again, this is another one where you want to make sure that you do not get busted by being somewhere other than at work. It could be quite awkward running into someone who is running an errand for the reunion when you are running from it.
6. We have a family emergency. Be prepared for a more detailed answer than this. More than likely you will be questioned on what the emergency is and if there is anything they can do to help.
7. I forgot the date/time. This one can only be used after the fact and only if no one talked to you about the reunion recently to remind you of it.
8. I can’t find a babysitter. You may want to save this one until after the reunion as an excuse as to why you didn’t show up and not an excuse beforehand as again someone may volunteer to help or tell you that you can just bring the kids.
9. I have tickets to… Do your research for this one and make it a believable one. Saying you have tickets to a concert that isn’t playing is not a wise idea.
10. I can’t afford to travel right now. With the way the economy is going right now, this is a very believable excuse, as long as no one offers to pay for your trip.

If you are worried that you will get busted with an excuse used prior to the reunion ,you could just skip the reunion and use the excuse after the fact, if someone asks why you didn’t come. Remember, family reunions can be a great time to get together and reconnect. However, there are some circumstances where you may be uncomfortable attending. If none of the above excuses works for you, try the truth. You never know, the person you are telling may not want to be there either.

 

Eva Longoria's ex-mother-in-law crashes book signing

Seems some daughter-in-laws cannot get rid of their baggage even after the divorce.  See below:

http://perezhilton.com/2011-06-10-tony-parkers-mom-crashes-eva-longoria-book-signing