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MAY 2026
The ‘Mr. Mom’ Chronicles My Short Stint Flying Solo
My wife, Kathleen, has always been my best friend, but she’s been my hero ever since she became a mom. None of the words in this article could express how grateful I am to her. She pours her heart into making sure we have a beautiful home, and she makes the day-to-day work of keeping things together and raising our 6-year-old and 4-year-old look effortless. She even pours everything into making their lunches (which are nowhere near as nicely put together as mine)! I appreciate her even more as I write this article, as I’m currently running things at home without her. She’s currently out of town for four nights and five days, and I’m writing this article on Day 2. When you have kids, you know your purpose. You wake up, and it’s very clear why you’re there and what’s most important every day. Your job in that moment is to get your kids ready and out the door, make sure their emotional needs are met, and support their development. I’m enjoying this challenge right now, just how well I can “single parent” and fulfill my purpose without everything descending into chaos. So, how have I been doing? Well … this morning was a bit rough. In addition to us being a little
Parenthood is a lifelong commitment, and I’m sure I’ll have just as many difficult and downright frustrating days as joyful ones for years to come. There are moments when the struggle to set boundaries and fulfill other parental duties makes me want to cry, but there are just as many moments when the kids’ happiness to be around me makes it all worthwhile. I’ve also learned to focus more on the inputs of parenthood (guidance, discipline, structure) than outputs (like a young kid throwing a temper tantrum over something you said or how you prevented them from doing something). Not too long ago, I was listening to a podcast featuring actor Bob Odenkirk as the guest. When the host asked whether anyone in the world made him jealous, he replied, “Anybody who’s still got little kids at home growing up.” Later, he added, “There’s no question: I knew what I was doing when I had kids growing up. I was being a dad. I mean, that was my job, and I didn’t have to ask myself, ‘What am I doing here? How can I be a part of this world? How can I be meaningful today?’ I didn’t have to ask that question because the answer is ‘Pick up everything between here and the door and make sure they get to school and have a laugh with them.’ I understood my purpose.” Bob is so right. Thanks to my kids for giving me so much purpose in life, and thanks to Kathleen
late leaving the house, I promised the kids some Dunkin’ Donuts on the way to school. Once we were already in the car, I realized the kids hadn’t brushed their teeth. They ended up brushing them in the car. Then I realized I had forgotten Luke’s school water bottle at home. I’m sure Kathleen would have rolled her eyes if she were there to witness it all. I suppose that “ done is better than perfect ” is my parenting style. Ultimately, we got everything done this morning, and it all turned out just fine. Was it perfect? No, but the biggest trick I’ve learned is to accept the times when things are less than idyllic and commit myself to getting better at being Dad every day. Of course, figuring out how to keep the kids engaged every
day while juggling to keep the house clean will be a challenge for the next few days, especially since Luke has a very hard time hearing the word “no” and is disobedient and prone to anger at times. Still, I’m ready for it (or at least, I’m getting there).
for giving me the gift of experiencing it with her.
Check out the “Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast”! Listen and Share!
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The Real Purpose Behind Ancient ‘Absurd’ Laws It’s Not Nonsense After All Long before modern ideas of rights and fairness, societies made laws that seem downright bizarre today, yet each was crafted to solve a real problem or reinforce vital cultural values at the time. When you dig into the reasons behind these ancient rules, the logic reveals practical concerns rather than pure absurdity. SPARTA MADE MARRIAGE A CIVIC DUTY. In militaristic Sparta, personal freedom took a back seat to state survival. Spartan men were expected to marry and produce soldiers; refusing to wed was frowned upon, and inveterate bachelors were fined and punished socially. Bachelors past a certain age faced ridicule and exclusion because every man who stayed single did not produce children who could then become warriors. In a society built around war readiness, strong incentives for marriage were strategic. OLIVE TREES WERE PROTECTED LIKE NATIONAL TREASURES. In ancient Athens, an olive tree was not an ordinary plant. It was sacred, symbolic, and economically essential. Olive oil had many uses: It lit lamps, healed wounds, and was a popular item people would trade. In the 6th century B.C.E., the Athenian lawmaker Solon made it illegal to cut down olive trees without official permission, with sometimes severe penalties for lawbreakers. Back then, preserving olive groves was literally protecting the city’s future.
RUSSIA TAXED BEARDS TO SPUR MODERNIZATION. Fast-forward to 17th-century Russia, where Tsar Peter the Great was determined to drag his kingdom into the Renaissance era. Part of that meant shaving off traditional beards, which were seen as backward by Western European standards, and adopting clean-shaven faces. When the outright banning of facial hair sparked religious resistance and rebellion, Peter pivoted: Keep your beard, just pay a tax, and carry a metal token. It was a unique combination of cultural reform and fiscal strategy. These examples remind us that what now sounds absurd often grew out of urgent needs or deeply held values. Punishing men for not marrying, olive tree preservation, and beard control may sound silly at first, but each solved a problem that mattered in its day.
New Season, Stronger Self
Find Your Summertime Freedom
Are you looking forward to the summer months ahead, or do you dread the sunny days to come? If you’re recently divorced and preparing for time without the usual daily vacations or romantic getaways that often define the season, feeling more positive about things may just be a matter of changing your perspective slightly or filling your schedule with activities for you . Here are two ideas to get you started. TURN BEING SOLO INTO A CELEBRATION. While it can be difficult to get used to being single again, every situation has a silver lining if you look for it. Taking stock of the positives in your life since your divorce can be a fantastic place to start. For example, you likely have more freedom over your time than you had when married, which opens the door for engaging in fun personal activities that you may have put aside in the past. You may decide to take a trip on your own (to a destination of your choice for a change!), or you could hit the gym more often or pursue a painting class you’ve long considered. No matter how you
enjoy this coming summer, now is the time for positive indulgence, not isolation. FIND GRATITUDE IN THE GOOD THINGS AHEAD. Even if your divorce was far from amicable, you’re still here despite it all. As
you work toward enjoying a memorable and meaningful summer, be thankful for all the new things you’ll achieve and enjoy, rather than focusing on all the negatives of the recent past. After all, you now get to live any way you wish and navigate the world without the weight of whatever issues led to your separation from your spouse. The road ahead may not always be filled with sunshine, and there may be more grieving to do, but being alone doesn’t necessarily have to mean being lonely.
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Peace Through Possibilities Stability and Strength for Better Days
You never have to wait until New Year’s Day to mark a new beginning in life. Depending on your circumstances and perspective, recovering emotionally, financially, or spiritually from a divorce may take longer than you expect. Either way, separating from a spouse is a significant event sure to bring considerable changes to your life. As such, it may take a while for your body, mind, and spirit to acclimate to your new reality. To help that transition, here are three worthwhile goals to consider setting for the first 12 months after your divorce. BUILD YOUR EMOTIONAL STRENGTH. Sometimes, the greatest obstacles to our ongoing well-being are the ones in our own minds. If the ups and downs of post- marriage life are slowing your emotional recovery, consider meditation as a means of stress management. Keeping a journal of your emotions can also help. When do you feel your best during the day? When is your
mood tested the most? Chronicling your daily emotional health will help you identify problem areas you can improve through connecting with friends (even if it’s a quick call to someone who can reassure you during a tough moment) or a therapist. FIND YOUR FINANCIAL FREEDOM. Aside from focusing on self-care and maintaining a healthy social life, setting your sights on your finances is one of the best things you can do for yourself. The first year is an ideal time to take a close look at
your personal income, make adjustments to ensure short-term savings for upcoming purchases (or unexpected emergencies), and update your documents and accounts to better reflect your newly single status. Feeling financially secure and organized will help you approach the future with a strong sense of peace and independence. BE KIND TO YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY. Whether you’re embarking on a new weight- loss plan or seeking greater peace as a newly single person, many people set high expectations for new goals that turn into disappointment when they encounter a setback. Keep your goals strong but realistic . It’s better to set smaller, achievable goals than attempt to attain everything at once and fall short. Most importantly, the early months after a divorce will likely have as many rough days as good ones, so go easy on yourself and remember the best things in life often take time to unfold.
TAKE A BREAK
Creamy Spring Salmon
Ingredients • 4 skinless salmon fillets • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
• 1 cup
unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk
• Zest of 1/2 lemon • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives • 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill • 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1/2 cup dry white wine
Directions 1. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. 3. Add salmon and cook 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes. Remove from skillet. 4. To make the sauce, reduce heat to medium and add garlic and shallots. 5. Sauté for 1 minute, then add Dijon mustard and white wine. Whisk and cook for about 2 minutes.
6. Add coconut milk and simmer on medium-low heat. 7. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, chives, dill, and tarragon. 8. Add salmon to sauce and cook, uncovered, 3–5 minutes.
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161 N. Clark, Ste. 1700 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 488-1938 rbbfirm.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
1.
Patient, Present, and Proud
2.
How Unusual Laws Shaped Ancient Societies
Your Fresh Start Forecast
3.
A Confident New Course
Creamy Spring Salmon
4.
High Peaks, Deep History: Discover the Magic of the Dolomites
The Dolomites: Italy’s Otherworldly Alps
Where History and Hiking Meet
Italy has much to offer visitors, from the art and architecture of Rome to the vineyards of Tuscany.
Speck is a dry-cured, lightly smoked ham made in the area, and hearty mountain breads from local bakeries can sustain a hiker for a day. The Dolomites are rich in cultural contrasts. The three languages spoken in the region have coequal status: Italian, German, and Ladin, an ancient form of Latin. Signs are written in both Italian and German. Visitors should also be prepared to adhere to strict mealtime and bus schedules, unlike the relaxed, more easygoing pace of southern Italy. Traditional dress resembles Swiss, Austrian, or German styles, reflecting the region’s history. For 550 years, a large part of the Dolomites was under Austro-Hungarian rule. During World War I, high- altitude “iron roads,” or via ferrata , were built to help soldiers cross the rugged terrain. The entire region became part of Italy after World War I, but today, rusty remnants of the via ferrata remain, serving as ladders and guides for hikers traversing the high country. The best hiking season in the region runs from June to October. And if you love awe-inspiring floral displays, arrive in July, the Dolomites’ peak wildflower season.
Tucked away in the country’s northeast corner, however, is a unique cultural and geological wonder that many tourists miss.
The Dolomites, a section of the Italian Alps known as “the pale mountains” for their light-colored rock, have
much to offer. The region is home to three cultures, three languages, a melange of culinary traditions, and some of the world’s best hiking trails. When naming the mountains a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, officials called them “some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs, and a high density of narrow, deep, and long valleys.” A popular setting for winter sports events, the region encompasses three native cultures and a variety of ethnic cuisines. A traditional favorite among visitors is canederli , hearty bread dumplings served with a variety of meats and tomato, mushroom, or spinach sauces.
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