Take a look at our newsletter!
Al l fami ly law. Al l around Georgia. Al l around the wor ld.
M ay 2021
H onoring M other ’ s D ay : T he M others in M y L ife
Mother’s Day is a holiday to celebrate mothers and everything they do for their children. Last year, my wife and I celebrated as parents of two. This year, we’re observing Mother’s Day as parents of three wonderful children. Our journey of parenthood has been quite an experience and I don’t think there’s anything compared to what my wife has done in bringing these three wonders into our lives. Since becoming a parent, I’ve watched as my wife became a mother to three lucky little kids, and I’ve seen what a tremendous sacrifice motherhood is. From the first knowledge of the pregnancy, mothers put in an incredible amount of effort to ensure their babies are strong, healthy, and cared for well before they’re born. Then, there is the significant toll of the actual birth on the mother, followed by the recovery and simultaneously keeping another human being alive. It’s remarkable, but as any parent can tell you, it doesn’t stop there. Over the years, my wife has adapted to our children’s changing needs as they’ve grown older and bigger. I also know the amount of care and love my wife has given our kids will only increase as the years go by. From my own experience with my mother, I know how much that love will evolve as they become
teenagers, young adults, and eventually, adults. I look forward to witnessing that with my three children and my wife. When it comes to talking about my own mother, it’s hard to know where to start with how important
she is. Mom has made significant sacrifices for my siblings and me and for herself. I remember being in middle school when she decided to change careers, not because she had to but because she wanted to. It would benefit the family as a whole. In doing so, Mom became really busy. On a regular school day, Mom would wake up at about 4:00 or 4:30 in the morning so she could finish her homework. By the time we woke up, she was ready to serve us breakfast, get us ready for our day, and send us out the door to school. Once we were gone, Mom would go to work herself, and at the end of the school day, she’d get us all home. Before heading to her night classes, she’d make sure we were situated with dinner and that we did our homework. Dad was a big help in those times, too. Whenever Mom was at school, Dad was home taking care of us. He was always there whenever Mom had to head out to school early or had a late shift. Dad was a big part in making sure the routine of the house went as smoothly as possible.
Whenever I think back to that time and many other moments like it, I understand how challenging that was for Mom and Dad, but as a child, I didn’t truly appreciate just how hard it must have been. It’s hard to appreciate what your parents do for you when you’re that young. I don’t think I ever fully understood just how much work Mom did to care for us the way she did, and to do it so successfully, too. I’ve often made the comment: “You have no idea how much you’re loved until you become a parent.” You realize just how much your own parents love you through experiencing the love you have for your own kids, from the moment they are born. Our plans for Mother’s Day 2021 are still unfinished, in no small part due to the pandemic, but however we decide to commemorate this holiday, I’ll do all I can to make sure my mother and my wife know how much I love and appreciate them.
“You have no idea how much you’re loved until you become a parent.”
–David Purvis
1
Cal l for a Consul tat ion: 866-687-8561
G et F it W ith Y our F amily
5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving
You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.
Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.
1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll.
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone.
2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy.
3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks.
5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.
M eet O ur P aralegal M olly M olenaar
Molly Molenaar started at The Manley Firm three years ago as an administrative assistant after graduating with a degree in legal studies from the University of Central Florida. She knew she was interested in working in the legal field and wanted to get her foot in the door any way possible. Shortly after being hired, she was transferred into the role of junior paralegal, and at the end of 2019, she became a full-time paralegal for us. Her drive and tenacity have helped her excel here at the firm, and it shows that she loves her job serving as the first point of contact and liaison between clients and their attorneys. Molly says she especially loves doing the background work for cases, discovery, research, and trial prep.
Beyond the prep and paperwork, Molly says that empathy is key to being successful in the family law field. Hearing clients’ stories can be challenging at times, but she says, “That’s also what makes it really rewarding to be able to help them through these tough times and get them a fresh start.” No one expects to get divorced or have to deal with other family issues, but when they happen, Molly is glad to be part of an office of empathetic professionals who can help out during those times. Outside of the office, Molly loves spending time with her rat terrier, Ollie. “He’s my baby. We love to go to the beach or find a trail to walk or run on,” she says. She enjoys continuing to explore Savannah and says she loves living in the city she’s called home for the past three years. Luckily her hometown in Florida isn’t too far away, and she can keep in touch with family and friends easily.
“I like helping build the case for the trial and knowing all the ins and outs,” she says.
2
www.al l fami lylaw.com
H elping F amilies G row
“D on ’ t wait for someone to bring you flowers . P lant your own garden and decorate your own soul .” —L uther B urbank
Surrogacy and In Vi tro Fert i l izat ion
We believe that family is created when people love and care for one another, whether they are blood-related or not. Today’s modern family can often be quite different than what fits in traditional definitions of family. A family can be a unit of a father and mother, two mothers, two fathers, unmarried or married, with biological or adopted children. Unfortunately, the law has been slow to keep up with societal changes. Revolutionary reproductive technology has contributed to the ever-changing family structure, allowing people to create families with the help of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy. While this is a modern blessing that allows people to start a family, it also creates unique circumstances many people may not be aware of. Typically, when parents are going to have a child, they prepare their home, even before the child is born. There is the baby room to set up, diapers to purchase, and furniture to acquire. The parents must also worry about doctor visits, their work-life balance, and general house maintenance. It is a lot for anyone to take on. However, for parents wanting to grow their family with the help of surrogacy or IVF, they must do all of this and so much more. Having a child with the help of IVF or through surrogacy is a major decision, requiring many important matters to be taken into consideration. These parents must take into account parental rights, the involvement of surrogate mothers, or sperm donor agreements, among other surrogacy and IVF matters. A parent or parents trying to carry this on their own can quickly become overwhelmed, especially when they don’t understand the process involved. More problematic is that often what is provided contractually by the clinic does not fit entirely within the statutes in Georgia on determining who the legal parents are. This is where The Manely Firm can help. Our role is to help families anticipate the varying types of questions that may arise and find answers to avoid family conflict down the road. For years, our family law attorneys have helped couples have children through surrogacy and contracts with IVF clinics, creating agreements and resolving potential issues before they occur. Attorney David Purvis has argued in front of the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals of Georgia on the issue of children’s legitimacy when conceived through IVF and has presented on this topic to the Family Law Section of the Georgia State Bar.
E asy & H ealthy G reen R ice
Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com
I ngredients
• •
1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed
• • • • •
1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced 1/2 cup green peppers, diced 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
If you or someone you know needs assistance in growing a family, we can help. Visit our website at AllFamilyLaw.com and reach out to us today.
• • •
1 1/2 cups vegetable stock 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 tsp kosher salt
D irections
1.
In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the
blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
4.
2.
5.
3.
3
Cal l for a Consul tat ion: 866-687-8561
211 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 (866) 687-8561 www.allfamilylaw.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1 2
Honoring Mother’s Day: The Mothers in My Life 5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness Meet Our Paralegal Molly Molenaar
3 4
Helping Families Grow Green Rice Recipe
Could Vaccine Passports Open Doors for Travel?
C ould V accine P assports O pen D oors for T ravel ? Concerns About Vaccination Verification
Are you hoping to travel this summer? Not like how you “traveled” from your bedroom to your living room couch all this past year, but really travel — get out and see the world beyond your hometown. With the COVID-19 vaccines finally available, millions of people are becoming immune to the virus that has ravaged the global economy, especially in the areas of tourism and hospitality. Industry leaders in these sectors are understandably eager for the vaccine to bring back tourism. Some are hoping vaccine passports will play a part in jump-starting tourism around the world.
Vaccine passports are a means by which someone can prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and are, therefore, free to travel internationally. Some countries are eager for the sort of verification these passports could bring, should they exist. The Seychelles, Cyprus, Romania, and other countries have all said they would welcome tourists who could prove they were vaccinated. Now, you might be sitting on the same couch you’ve sat on for the past year, thinking, “Well, I would like to travel internationally after I get vaccinated!” However, this proposal is not without concerns. Firstly, health care officials still don’t know if vaccinated people can transmit the virus. So, even if they’re vaccinated, they could still spread it to unvaccinated people around the world. Another concern is a vaccine passport’s potential to create classes of “haves” and “have nots” among travelers. Many developing countries won’t receive the vaccine for another few years. Should they be barred from returning to normal? Similarly, could the vaccine passport be abused domestically, enabling private businesses to bar customers from their spaces without proof of vaccination? Finally, what form would these passports take if they were to exist? Would they be on a smartphone app? A laminated card? A verified doctor’s note? So, while the prospect of traveling far and wide this summer after getting vaccinated is exciting, it might be better to temper your expectations for now and hope for clearer guidelines in the near future.
4
www.al l fami lylaw.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker