: About Me

Educated as an attorney, I limit my practice exclusively to divorce mediation and divorce co-parenting classes. I truly love my career, and am extremely happy with the choices that I have made that allow me to participate in such a fulfilling career.

In 2000, the State of Tennessee adopted the newer legal approach to divorce, commonly referred to as "co-parenting." This is an "all about the children" approach to divorce. I am involved in two of the major components of this newer law , mediation and co-parenting education. In order to mediate in the State of Tennessee, a professional (usually an attorney) must complete an initial 36 hour training seminar, followed by a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education every year. This certification allows the professional tremendous opportunity across the State to provide mediation services to divorcing couples involved with the legal system. Please refer to my article regarding the positive affects of mediation in divorce situations.

Tennessee also requires divorcing parents to complete a minimum of four hours of coparenting education. These educational sessions address the needs of children during and after divorce, explore what statistics have to tell us about the effects of divorce on children in general, and offer suggestions about how to improve communication skills with the coparent. Please refer to my articles regarding coparenting and communication skills.

From a personal perspective, I am 48, single, involved and very content. I live alone with my 5-year-old Italian Greyhound. I reside in the East Tennessee area, and I truly believe it is the most beautiful place in the world to live. And, yes, I wear shoes!

My passion is ...

making life better for children.

I know too much about ...

childhood struggles.

My parents always told me ...

p* in one hand and want in the other and see which one fills up the fastest.

My childhood ambition ...

leave home.

My favorite memory ...

traveling at night, everyone asleep, just talking to my father.

Why I write ...

I have a lot to say.

My first job ...

day care.

My best moment ...

graduating law school.

My inspiration ...

Dr. Bruce Green, Professor Grayford Grey, Judge Denton (my ex-husband), my nieces and nephew.

Relationships & Family > Children & Divorce Divorce: Helping your teenager cope

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Helping your teenager cope with your divorce is not much different than helping her/him cope with their topsy-turvy, confusing, hormone-driven, everyday, average, angst-filled teenage life. Your divorce has just added another obstacle to their desperate attempt to reach adulthood as quickly as possible. First and foremost, teenagers - unlike their younger sibling counter-parts - must be respected for the young adults that they are. Otherwise, you will immediately lose all hope of them listening to or hearing you. The flip-side of that is, of course, that they must be respected for the youn...

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