Divorce the Drama!: Your No-Drama Guide to Managing Any “Ex”

By Melissa Sindeband Dragon Esq.

Are you divorced, but your life is still brimming with drama?
Then you need a reality check!
Welcome to your re-education. This book will help reveal just how much drama your ex has brought into your life.
A divorce is supposed to free you from the bonds of a dysfunctional marriagebut this isnt always the case. Too often, the ex who stays in your life is still able to negatively affect youwhich prevents you from healing, moving on, and finding a better partner. You cant let that happen. Thats why Divorce the Drama was created, so that your eyes can be opened.
Learn about control freak exes and their habits.
Find out why narcissistic exes need to be cut out of your life.
Discover how much damage an emotionally abusive ex can do to you.
And so much more. In this book, youll be able to figure out which kind of ex you have, and how to deal with themonce and for all! When you divorce the drama, your entire life will
be renewed.
Divorce The Drama: Your No-Drama Guide to Managing Any Ex can help you stop allowing your ex to steal happiness from you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jan 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781452582801

Melissa Sindeband Dragon Esq.

Melissa Sindeband Dragon, Esq. has been a divorce trial attorney for fifteen years and founded the first holistic family law practice in Massachusetts in 2006, following her divorce from her son’s father. Melissa remarried in 2008 and lives near Boston with her husband, daughter, son, and pet beagle, Buster. She is a frequent guest legal commentator on radio and television, as well as starring in her own “Divorce the Drama!” video blog series on YouTube. She serves on the board of Nazareth Girl’s Academy, as well as the Boston Women Connect Organization as part of her ongoing commitment to mentorship and empowerment of women through entrepreneurial endeavors. For more information on Melissa, visit www.melissadragon.com.

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Copyright © 2013 Melissa Sindeband Dragon, Esq

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

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ISBN: 978-1-4525-8279-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-8281-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-8280-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013917273

Balboa Press rev. date: 11/04/2013

Contents

Acknowledgments

Note to the Reader

Introduction: You all have the same impossible ‘Ex’…Drama, Drama Everywhere and Oh how they drive you to Drink!

Chapter 1:   My Personal DTD Experience

Legal Eagles: MY Gnarly Divorce Drama

Giant Red Flags Along the Road to Recovery

The Dog Fight Analogy

The Soccer Game Epiphany

My Divorce the Drama Methodology

Divorce The Drama Recap: The Truth Shall Set You Free…

Your Divorce the Drama Daily Plan:

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Divine Dragon Drink…..

Chapter 2: :   DTD and the Emotionally Abusive Ex

KATHLEEN & BILL

How Emotional Abuse Works: The Boiled Frog Analogy

How This Toxic, Emotional Abuse Drama Affects Your Life

What Divorcing the Emotional Abuse Drama Looks Like: KATHLEEN & BILL

Divorce The Drama Recap: The Truth Shall Set You Free…

Your Divorce the Drama Daily Plan:

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Sayonara Drink…..

Chapter 3:   DTD and the Physically Abusive Ex

KRISHNA & SANDEEP

How Toxic, Physical Abuse Drama Affects Your Life

Awareness: 10 Signs You’re STILL in a Physically Abusive Relationship

What Divorcing the Physical Abuse Drama Looks Like: KRISHNA & SANDEEP

Divorce The Drama Recap: The Truth Shall Set You Free…

Your Divorce the Drama Daily Plan:

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Queen Bee Drink…..

Chapter 4: :   DTD and the Addict or Alcoholic Ex

TED & PRISCILLA

How an Addicted/Mentally Ill Ex Affects Your Life

Awareness: 10 Signs That You’re STILL in an Addiction-Ridden Relationship

What Divorcing the Alcoholic/Addicted Drama Looks Like: PRISCILLA & TED

Divorce The Drama Recap: The Truth Shall Set You Free…

Your Divorce the Drama Daily Plan:

The Divorce The Drama Old Fashioned Virgin Lemonade (non-alcoholic)…..

Chapter 5:   DTD and the Emotional Terrorist

PARENTAL ALIENATION: MARIA AND JOEY

How This Form of Emotional Terrorism Affects Your Life

What Divorcing The Parental Alienation Drama Looks Like:

Suicidality: Norma and Ed

How Suicidal Terrorism Happens

How This Form of Emotional Terrorism Affects Your Life

What Divorcing The Suicidality Drama Looks Like:

Divorce The Drama Recap: The Truth Shall Set You Free…

Your Divorce the Drama Daily Plan:

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Lady of Leisure Drink…..

Chapter 6:   If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me

Create Self-Reliance Within

Managing F.E.A.R. Along the Way

MY Face my F.E.A.R(s) DIVORCE THE DRAMA PLAN:

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Drama Slayer Drink…..

Chapter 7:   Divorce the Drama FOR REAL to Bring Order to Chaos

Breathing For the First Time

The ‘Grass is Dead on The Other Side’ MYTH

Closing Remarks from Melissa

DIVORCE THE DRAMA 45-DAY DETOX PROGRAM

Q & A With Melissa

Divorce the Drama—Empowering Quotes

Divorce The Drama Celebration Drinks!

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Divine Dragon Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Old Fashioned Virgin Lemonade (non-alcoholic)…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Drama Slayer Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA The Old Reliable Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Cabana Boy to the Rescue Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Sayonara Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Lady of Leisure Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Peckerhead Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Stupid Cupid Drink…..

The DIVORCE THE DRAMA Queen Bee Drink…..

Drama-Free Resources

About the Author

This book is dedicated to my partner in co-parenting, aka my ex-husband, Rob Curtis and our incredibly awesome son, Benjamin Robert Curtis. Without the both of you, our family’s story of separation, conflict, recovery, peace and love would not exist to be told. I am grateful for you both for enriching and deepening my life experience. I love you both.

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Acknowledgments

This book would have never made it to the Amazon.com #1 Non-Fiction Bestsellers list without the investment of the patient proofreading, capital and support that was provided to me by my husband, Jeff Dragon. Thank you for believing in me and my ‘Divorce the Drama!’ message way back when it was first conceived mid-flight on our way to our West Palm, Florida vacation back in 2008. I wonder if that makes us members of the Mile High Club! I love you infinitely.

I also thank the clients of Curtis & Sindeband, LLP and Family Law Practitioners, P. C.; it has been an honor and privilege to be your guide and legal counselor through your darkest, most uncertain hours. Additionally, I would like to thank my legal staff who have assisted me in formulating my holistic practice of Family Law over the years, specifically: Marianne Curtis, Sharon Adams, Robin Hoggard, Robert Curtis, Esq., Joshua Garrick, Esq.; Alicia Rinaldi, Esq., Rachel Colon, Esq. and Andrew Sparks, Esq.

Thanks as well to the Judges and Court Staff at the Essex and Middlesex Probate and Family Courts. The hardest and most poignant lessons I learned about human nature in the wake of a broken union were played out in the courtrooms and halls of these courts for the last fifteen years. You are all unsung heroes and I am grateful for your tireless efforts to help those too overcome with emotions to help themselves.

Special thanks are in order for Dr. Gony Halevi, trusted family therapist and collaborator on my Empowerment Workshops to assist mutual clients with holistic divorce recovery. Thank you for your continued support of my blended family as well as the incredibly dedicated support you offer my trusted clients.

A final word of thanks to: Michael Mendribil, Paula Panzarella, Laurie Scolaro, Tim Connors, Hy Bender, Melissa Se, Scott Sylvia and Amy Brackman for your enthusiastic support of my vision while pushing me to fine-tune the Divorce the Drama! message. Without your help, humor and guidance during times of uncertainty, this book would