All the Words You Need: Simple Response Starters for Courteous Communications in Custody Situations

By Kathy Terry

Navigating your way through a lengthy or acrimonious custody situation? Finding yourself stuck on how to communicate with the other parent? Hoping to keep interactions as civil as possible for the sake of the kids, and for your own peace of mind?

This simple guide will provide you some basic phrases, with much larger concepts behind them, to start shifting your means of speaking and writing to your ex – and perhaps shifting your mindset, as well. Written with empathy and humor by someone who’s been on the custody journey for many years, All the Words You Need: Simple Response Starters for Courteous Communications in Custody Situations contains many hints and tips for improving your communications with the other parent... whether or not he or she chooses to likewise rise to the occasion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathy Terry
• Release date: Sep 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370102785

Kathy Terry

Kathy Terry has been navigating a custody situation with her child for more than 15 years. During the course of that time, she has learned a great deal about the family law system, various therapeutic tools, and the many (many) types of professionals who can become part of the process.Parents who know of her experience and the eventual successful parenting time outcome in her child’s best interests began to ask her for advice on their own custody and parenting time situations. Several of those she advises have repeatedly urged her to share her experiences with a wider group of parents navigating custody situations. So here you go! – You have this book, and you can read up on my website.Kathy holds a Master’s degree in a field unrelated to either law or mental health. Her professional background is in marketing and writing.She and her child enjoy a life filled with family, friends, and both shared and individual activities. Outdoor pursuits, travel, and outlandish music and dance top their lists of mutual fun.

Book preview

All the Words You Need:

Simple Response Starters for

Courteous Communications in Custody Situations

By Kathy Terry

Copyright 2016 Kathy Terry

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my incredible teenager. You rock so hard and I am beyond proud of you.

Sweets, you know how much I admire your spirit and compassion and the courageous way in which you have traveled your own rough segment of the path we’ve navigated. And now you are giving back, based upon what you have learned, to other youth currently experiencing what you went through. For that, I admire you even more.

I love you so much.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The 15 Starter Terms

Words You DON’T Need

Extras

Challenge Checklist/ Response Starter Terms

How to Actually Use These Terms

Example Email Exchange: Be Angel, Not Opie

Thank You (from me!)

About the Author

Disclaimer

Introduction

Hi, reader! I’m glad you’re here.

I have published this small guide to highlight some terms that are well worth incorporating in your interactions and communications with the other parent (known herein as the gender-neutral Opie, for O.P.) in your custody situation.

The page of prose that accompanies each word or phrase is written to expand upon the meaning, suggest situations in which you can start using the term, have you feeling a bit noble about your part, and – who knows? – maybe even contribute to an overall better inter-parent relationship.

The subtitle for this book mentions courteous communications. That does not imply loving, or kiss-ass, or obsequious communications – just courteous. You can try that, can’t you, even if Opie doesn’t give it back? I believe you can.

I did – and trust me, it was not easy at first… not at all.

Look, I know it can be easy to dwell in (sometimes well-deserved) anger and bitterness, and to (ahem) express oneself accordingly when communicating with Opie. And here’s a secret:

Acrimonious