W ord S earch
Divorced but Still a Team
Beer
Family
Leo
Lunchbox
BUILD A PARENTING PLAN THAT WORKS
Mustard
Peridot
Poppy
Sisters
Going through a divorce is difficult, especially when kids are involved. One of the most important things you’ll do post-divorce is create a parenting plan that helps provide structure, stability, and a sense of normalcy for your children. But a good parenting plan doesn’t just work for the kids — it should work for everyone involved.
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So, how do you build a plan that’s fair and focused on what’s best for your family? Start with the basics, then fine-tune from there.
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
PUT THE KIDS FIRST It sounds obvious, but it’s worth repeating: Your children’s well-being should be at the center of every decision. That means considering their school schedules, extracurriculars, friendships, routines, and emotional needs. A parenting plan that truly supports your kids will make transitions smoother and reduce conflict between parents. GET SPECIFIC General plans can leave room for confusion, and that’s where arguments start. Be as detailed as possible. Outline the regular weekly schedule, weekends, holidays, birthdays, and school breaks. Decide who’s picking up, dropping off, and when. The more clarity you have upfront, the fewer surprises you’ll deal with later. PLAN FOR COMMUNICATION Co-parenting works best when both sides know how to communicate. Decide how you’ll share updates about your child’s education, health, and activities. Will you use texts, email, or possibly a co-parenting app? Set expectations early to keep everyone on the same page and avoid miscommunication. STAY FLEXIBLE Life changes often, and your parenting plan may need to change too. Someone might get a new job, move, or deal with unexpected challenges. The best plans leave room for flexibility while still honoring the agreement. Build in regular “check-ins” to review how things are going and adjust if needed. PUT IT IN WRITING Even if you and your ex are on good terms, get everything in writing and file it with the court. A formal parenting plan protects both parents and provides a clear path forward if disagreements come up down the line.
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
INGREDIENTS •
1 pt strawberry ice cream
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1 5.25-oz package crispy sugar cookies 1 0.8-oz package freeze- dried strawberries
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1/4 cup strawberry preserves 1 pt vanilla ice cream
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DIRECTIONS
1. Stir strawberry ice cream in a large bowl until spreadable. Fold in preserves until evenly streaked throughout. 2. Stir vanilla ice cream in a separate large bowl until spreadable. 3. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of 8 (1/3-cup) popsicle molds. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the vanilla mixture on top of the strawberry mixture into the molds. Repeat, alternating the 2 mixtures, until each mold is full. 4. Place sticks into the popsicles and freeze until solid, 4–6 hours. 5. In a large zip-lock bag, crush sugar cookies with a rolling pin until pieces are rice-size; pour into a shallow dish. 6. Repeat with freeze-dried strawberries and stir the pieces together. 7. Run the ice cream molds under warm water to release popsicles from molds. 8. Coat bars evenly with cookie mixture. 9. Eat immediately or place on a cookie sheet and freeze.
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