I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember, inspired by my 7th grade English teacher who was a dead ringer for Barbra Streisand in The Main Event. Sometimes it only takes one person to believe in you and motivate you for the rest of your career… I began mine in Charlotte, NC, working for IBM, first as a magazine writer and then, as an editor. After six years I moved to Atlanta. I told everyone I was moving because I wanted to open my own communications firm, but the truth was, I had dated all of the eligible young men in the tri-city Mecklenburg area, and I needed a larger pool.
Which leads me to my topic: sort of a Sex and the City meets I Love Lucy. I’m the author of the recently-released book, Back on Top: Fearless Dating After Divorce. After 13 years of marriage (and 14 years of couples’ therapy) I became the first person in my family’s history to divorce. I may have lost a husband, but I believe I saved our family, and my friendship with my ex. Suddenly single, I thought I’d simply pick up where I left off nearly two decades earlier – but while I was changing diapers, the dating world had gone to the wolves – and apparently, the cougars.
My first date after my was excrutiatingly awkward. When I got home that night, I did what writers do -- I wrote about it. Finding both the humanity and humor in that first date saved me from a life of nunnery. That story was published in a women’s magazine, along with several others over the course of my first year of divorce. And that’s how Back on Top was born.
During the writing, I interviewed dozens of men and women and realized there was a strong connection around this topic. We all love to talk about love -- the beginning of it, the pursuit of it, the end of it, the meaning of it. I also saw that there was a lot of uncertainty about dating "rules," online etiquette, dating with kids, dating safety, when to have sex (if we'd ever have sex again) -- none of us who were dating again seemed to have a clue!
So I took it upon myself to learn and share.
Beyond the humor and advice, I think my stories offer women acceptance and validation. There's no judging from me, because I’ve been there, too! Today I lead post-divorce dating workshops where I hear stories that many women have never spoken about before because they feel a sense of failure … they think they made a mistake, or didn't try hard enough, or went too wild or not wild enough, and that they'll be judged. My goal is to support women the best way I can, and often that’s through the lens of laughter. It’s how I've always tip-toed through challenges.
In my column, I’ll write about what I know: the experiences of a divorced working mom who only a few years ago was baffled by the terms “MILF” and “Cougar” and who is doing her best to stay sane while co-parenting with my ex to raise our teenage son. I will write about my previous dating escapades as well as my current relationship with a man significantly younger than I am (well, the PG version anyway). I will talk to you about the women and men I continue to interview for their takes on dating after divorce, the grace with which so many people handle difficult transitions, and I’ll continue to provide tips and What I Know Now. And I’ll most likely tell stories of my ex, and the well-worth-it benefits of developing a true friendship.
Most people think we’re a little crazy, but I am thrilled to have the family of four I’ve always wanted … only it looks a little different than what I’d imagined: my boyfriend, my ex, my son and me.
I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember, inspired by my 7th grade English teacher who was a dead ringer for Barbra Streisand in The Main Event. Sometimes it only takes one person to believe in you and motivate you for the rest of your career… I began mine in Charlotte, NC, working for IBM, first as a magazine writer and then, as an editor. After six years I moved to Atlanta. I told everyone I was moving because I wanted to open my own communications firm, but the truth was, I had dated all of the eligible young men in the tri-city Mecklenburg area, and I needed a larger pool.
Which leads me to my topic: sort of a Sex and the City meets I Love Lucy. I’m the author of the recently-released book, Back on Top: Fearless Dating After Divorce. After 13 years of marriage (and 14 years of couples’ therapy) I became the first person in my family’s history to divorce. I may have lost a husband, but I believe I saved our family, and my friendship with my ex. Suddenly single, I thought I’d simply pick up where I left off nearly two decades earlier – but while I was changing diapers, the dating world had gone to the wolves – and apparently, the cougars.
My first date after my was excrutiatingly awkward. When I got home that night, I did what writers do -- I wrote about it. Finding both the humanity and humor in that first date saved me from a life of nunnery. That story was published in a women’s magazine, along with several others over the course of my first year of divorce. And that’s how Back on Top was born.
During the writing, I interviewed dozens of men and women and realized there was a strong connection around this topic. We all love to talk about love -- the beginning of it, the pursuit of it, the end of it, the meaning of it. I also saw that there was a lot of uncertainty about dating "rules," online etiquette, dating with kids, dating safety, when to have sex (if we'd ever have sex again) -- none of us who were dating again seemed to have a clue!
So I took it upon myself to learn and share.
Beyond the humor and advice, I think my stories offer women acceptance and validation. There's no judging from me, because I’ve been there, too! Today I lead post-divorce dating workshops where I hear stories that many women have never spoken about before because they feel a sense of failure … they think they made a mistake, or didn't try hard enough, or went too wild or not wild enough, and that they'll be judged. My goal is to support women the best way I can, and often that’s through the lens of laughter. It’s how I've always tip-toed through challenges.
In my column, I’ll write about what I know: the experiences of a divorced working mom who only a few years ago was baffled by the terms “MILF” and “Cougar” and who is doing her best to stay sane while co-parenting with my ex to raise our teenage son. I will write about my previous dating escapades as well as my current relationship with a man significantly younger than I am (well, the PG version anyway). I will talk to you about the women and men I continue to interview for their takes on dating after divorce, the grace with which so many people handle difficult transitions, and I’ll continue to provide tips and What I Know Now. And I’ll most likely tell stories of my ex, and the well-worth-it benefits of developing a true friendship.
Most people think we’re a little crazy, but I am thrilled to have the family of four I’ve always wanted … only it looks a little different than what I’d imagined: my boyfriend, my ex, my son and me.
Been there! I look forward to following and contributing to your discussions! Interestingly enough I am friendly with my ex after a really rough divorce. Finding your way back to the friendship that brought you together in the first place is a tough thing to do but it is good for everyone. Not sure if we forgive or if we forget but we do move on. Our family is different than I thought it would be also. My new husband and his daughter, my ex, our three kids...oh yes, and my ex's wife and her son. We are now a family of 9. Who would have thought I would have that large of a family??? And then there are the grandparents, aunts and uncles...the list goes on. It takes a village to raise a child!
The Grass Is Greener Right
Here
With her trademark wisdom, humor and honesty, Diana Keough provides a spiritual
antidote to anxiety and despair in increasingly fraught times.
Spirit Behind the News
Ben Kamin is one of America's best-known rabbis, a multi-cultural spiritualist,
New York Times Op-ed contributor, national columnist, and the author of seven
books on human values. His kids, however, are not that impressed.
Love, Sex &
Marriage
Gerald Drose, Ph.D. leads an open discussion on sex-and the other two things
that typically accompany it—love and marriage.
I Kid You
Not
With a self-deprecating sense of humor, a dash of Midwest sarcasm, and candid
honesty, award-winning freelance writer Kristine muses on life in a chaotic
household. Spoiler Alert: her teen, tweens and dog don’t find her even mildly
amusing.
My Views from the
Edge
A former comedy writer/comic for WNBC Radio in Manhattan, Elizabeth promises to
keep her advice solid and her tongue lodged securely in her cheek.
Second Life
After divorce, a death, a mid-life crisis, or just growing up and changing,
baby boomers are learning to reinvent themselves, have fun and find
satisfaction. Look out kids…it’s a new world out there!
Class Notes: Special
Needs
Learn from the journey of Jacque Digieso who was given a challenge and a
blessing with her son, who has special needs.
What's Eating
You?
Dina Zeckhausen, Ph.D. on food, weight, body image and raising resilient
kids.
Steve
Powell
Steve is an experienced facilitator, practitioner, communicator and proven
leader with over 25-years in experience in human factors education and teamwork
training.
Living On
Purpose
Elaine Taylor-Klaus, teaches how to make life extraordinary.
rWorld
Dale Kuehne explores developing a world where relationships come first, and
recognizes that individual health and fulfillment is connected to the quality
of our relationships.
Back On
Top
Ginger Emas walks through life after divorce and how you can put your best
assets forward.
Teacher
Feature
School teacher Margaret Anderson will provide insight into what really happens
with your child in the classroom.
The Sex
Whisperer
Tinamarie muses on intimacy, sensuality and conscious love with an open mind
and irreverent sense of humor.
The Power of
Grief
Diane Snyder Cowan specializes in grief therapy to help those in need deal with
loss.
Cancer is Not Me and I
Am Not My Cancer
My name is Jan Jaben-Eilon and I am an ovarian cancer survivor. I don’t like
the expression, battling with cancer. I am living my life as fully and
passionately as possible, despite the cancer. Cancer is NOT my identity.
The Grass Is Greener Right
Here
My Views from the
Edge
Second Life
Class Notes: Special
Needs
Steve
Powell
Living On
Purpose
rWorld
Back On
Top
Teacher
Feature
The Sex
Whisperer
The Power of
Grief
Cancer is Not Me and I
Am Not My Cancer
