New! Dads with Kids first monthly event starts this Saturday December 27th at 1 pm at Cafe Sip-N-Play @ 3000 SE 164TH Avenue Vancouver. Started by Dad Don Rose looking for other single Dads to support each other while helping their kids have a great time. For information email century.rose@comcast.net or call (360)910-8492 for more info.

There's a new Divorce Recovery Workshop starting January 14th. It's a structured, interactive, six-week course. For more info check:

www.mannacoaching.com

Less structured post-divorce support groups are held at Heart Connections, heartconnectionscounseling.com.

DivorceCare, taught in local churches is another alternative. There are classes in several Clark County locations. To find one near you, check www.divorcecare.org

Periodically, a Women in Transition class is taught by counselingforu.com

Regardless of what path you take for healing, best wishes for a healthier, happier future!

As "Second Saturday: What Women Need to Know About Divorce" workshop takes off, the logical question is, what do men need to know about divorce?

In observing my clients, and divorce statistics, while for most women the biggest aspect of divorce is about financial issues, for most men it's about the connection to their children.

I'd be happy to organize a similar class for men, specifically geared to meet your needs in a positive, productive way.

What would you like to see in a workshop for men? When would be a good time and day to teach it?

A national workshop (www.SecondSaturday.com) developed to help women address the financial, legal, and emotional aspects of divorce begins in Vancouver WA in 2009. The workshop, taught every Second Saturday beginning January 10, 2009, is team-taught by an attorney, a financial planner, a counselor and a mediator.

The class was inspired by the high rate of divorced women who enter poverty; the intent is to minimize the likelihood of that by educating workshop participants.

The workshop registration begins at 8 am; the class ends at 1 pm. The location is at Heart Connections, 305 W 16th St., Vancouver WA 98660.

The cost is $45, unless there is a scholarship arranged in advance based on financial need.

Call (360) 448-8833 to register or if you have any questions.

This article and short video "Divorce and Your Credit"  clip offers some great pointers on the importance of checking your credit when you divorce or declare bankruptcy.

When my Ex and I divorced, even though our divorce decree stated he was taking care of a large credit card debt (and he was), it continued to dog my credit reports until years after our divorce when he finally paid it off.

On the flip side, we recently discovered to both our surprise my credit union overdraft protection was coming out of an otherwise unused credit loan account, that still had his name on it. Not realizing it was happening, both he and I got surprised by a delinquent notice. I closed those accounts, so that issue can't come up again.

Bottom line: check your account info. It helps to maintain a good relationship with your Ex as sometimes the issues are more about how the creditors work than what you and your Ex's intent is. By working as a team with your Ex, you can sort the issues through much more quickly.

For families facing change over the holidays, here's some tips for parents, for taking care of you and your children. They come from Peg Libby, Executive Director, Kids First Center, Portland, Maine, posted in the e-newsletter from Association of Family Courts and Conciliation. Don't let the long name scare you aware from the link. It's simple, practical advice.

http://afccnet.org/members/2008NOV_Ask_the_Experts.asp