Check out our April newsletter!
All Family Law. All Around the World.
Why ‘Meatless Monday’ Could Be More Powerful Than You Think Earth Day is far more than a day on the calendar designed to encourage people to plant trees; it’s a wake-up call. While recycling and gardening are nice, the reality is that our world needs more than symbolic gestures. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it impacts daily life across the globe. It’s all the more apparent that if we don’t want future generations to inherit a dystopian wasteland akin to a scene from “Mad Max,” we need to take action. A pril 2025 A Future Without a Livable Planet?
We must dramatically reduce our consumption, decrease energy usage, and change our diets. These actions will help the planet and help us live healthier lives. Reducing our consumption will decrease the amount of trash we produce and the money we give to giant corporations that do little to offset the damage they’ve done. In turn, we will have less stuff to keep up with, only holding onto what we truly want or need. It’s possible to decrease our energy consumption, too. Simple switches like LED bulbs make a difference, and just imagine what would happen if we focused on the micro-production of alternative energies. You could produce your own solar energy right from your roof rather than relying on the grid operated by monopolies without interest in your family. EARTH ISN’T WAITING, AND NEITHER SHOULD WE. Changing your diet could reduce the burden on the planet, on top of increasing your lifespan. You don’t have to become a full-blown vegetarian — I’m not — but eating less meat is a way to preserve our natural resources. According to the United Nations, it takes about 10 pounds of grain or feed and 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat. Even reducing your meat consumption by one day a week during a meatless Monday could put more needed resources into the hands of millions without food and water. Plus, the health benefits of adding more plant-based meals to your diet are off the charts. Take a cue from Sir Paul McCartney, who’s been vegetarian since 1975 and was an early supporter of the Meatless Monday movement. Given the change that needs to happen in the world now, it will take action far beyond our households. We all must demand our politicians do something. One of the best ways is through the recent economic boycott. You find the bad apples, the corporations who don’t do anything to help us, and you don’t buy from them. They’re okay with killing you, and they don’t deserve your money. If you want your children to live happy lives, you must provide them with a home. And, if the planet continues on its current trajectory, that will be harder to do. The Earth isn’t waiting, and neither should we.
In January, the United States started withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change — again. The international climate treaty began in 2015 to unite countries worldwide to limit global warming and reduce its impacts. The U.S. is the only country to have withdrawn from the Paris Accord — first in 2017 and now again. Though the Paris Accord is entirely inadequate to deal with what we are facing, withdrawing from it signals a troubling lack of commitment from our leaders to even the most basic global efforts to address climate change. At the rate things are going, unless you are in the end stages of your life, we are facing a miserable future for the planet. It’s what our leaders have set up for us. The only way to avoid that dystopian, almost immediate future is for the whole planet, especially the U.S. with all its influence, to act radically differently than we presently do. If our children have any shot at a future to look forward to, we must take action into our own hands.
–Michael Manely
1
Call for a Consultation: ( 866) 245-5685
A Steady Beat of Resilience and Leadership Rock Drummer Earns Military Child Honor
When Noelani Martinez pounds out a rhythm on her drum set, she’s not thinking about anything — she’s just jamming. But the teen has plenty to think about. The Brennan High School senior is the beat behind San Antonio’s School of Rock House Band and the recipient of the Military Child of the Year award from the Air Force.
“It’s amazing to be able to make friends from various places in the world and share our experiences,” she said of her life as an Air Force “brat.” But the Martinez family suffered a devastating loss: Noelani’s mother, Gail, was killed, and she and her siblings were severely injured during an April 2016 terrorist bombing of the Brussels, Belgium, airport. At just 9 years old, Noelani was the one comforting her siblings as they awakened from comas.
Martinez and six other children of service members were honored by the nonprofit Operation Homefront in April 2024 for embodying strength, resiliency, and service. The year before their nominations, the six performed over 3,500 hours of volunteer service, and Martinez herself earned top accolades for ROTC leadership, was part of a first-place winning drill team, and is in the top 2% of her graduating class. Noelani’s father, retired Colonel Melchizedek “Kato” Martinez, spent 29 years in special operations and tactical communications roles. Due to his career, Noelani and her three siblings have traveled the world, calling places as varied as the Netherlands and Hawaii home.
Summing up his daughter’s strength in the face of adversity, her father said, “She continues to bear both the physical and emotional scars of that tragic day, but rather than allow it to defeat her, she uses the pain to fight on and honor her mother’s love.” In an interview with an Ohio TV station, Noelani said she hopes the Child of the Year honor illuminates the challenges of military family life, particularly the frequent household moves that require starting over again and again. Her advice to other military kids is, “Give yourself grace” to get through the challenging parts.
A PARALEGAL WHO PUTS PEOPLE FIRST Meet Ketevan Mamuliia A real human story is at the heart of every case we see at The Manely Firm. Our team cares deeply about our clients’ journeys, and Paralegal Ketevan Mamuliia is a perfect example of that dedication. Ketevan’s role goes far beyond just paperwork — she’s deeply involved in the lives of those we serve, turning their life stories into documents that can change their futures. understanding. With her multilingual background, she was a perfect fit for our international law firm. For her, being an excellent paralegal requires being human. It takes deep respect for others and a willingness to understand their situation.
Ketevan said each case she works on gives her hope in humanity, even though litigation can bring out the very worst in people. “All the darkness or the ugliness comes out, but at the end of the journey, people still learn to forgive, learn, grow, and move on,” she said. “The most rewarding thing is to see them letting go of all the pain and ugliness and deciding to live their best of future.” When Ketevan isn’t helping clients at the firm, she loves spending time with her niece and nephew because children give you a different perspective on life. Ketevan is proud to work at a firm where each team member cares deeply about their work and the clients they serve. She’s looking forward to continuing to grow with us, and we are so honored to have her in our office.
“It’s the stories of their lives that interest me, and I’m honored to be a part of their stories,” she said. “Certain chapters may not be the most beautiful and exciting, but they teach us both about life and relationships.” Ketevan has always been interested in sharing the human experience and was drawn to the legal profession because she wanted to help guide people through difficult times. She said starting her career as a paralegal required a lot of flexibility, open- mindedness, and courage to grow. “It’s a very fast-moving position, and we’re dealing with people and a lot of emotions,” she said. Ketevan joined The Manely Firm in 2022 and was instantly drawn to its commitment to helping families navigate challenging legal issues with compassion and
2
www.allfamilylaw.com
LOW-SUGAR, NO- BAKE CHEESECAKE
All relationships have seasons that evolve over time. First are the early days when love is fresh and blooming, like in spring. As you move into summer, the warmth and comfort of familiarity settle in. With its changing leaves, fall often brings a time for reflection where we reassess and consider how we’ve grown together or apart. Then comes the hard sting of winter, a period of rest, retreat, and possibly the chill of change. Embrace the Seasons of Your Relationship With Emotional Intelligence MATTERS OF THE HEART Putting a relationship — romantic, professional, or personal — into the context of its season helps put it into perspective because each phase is different. Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in the story we tell ourselves about what is happening and how we respond to it. We can strengthen our communication by establishing a deeper, shared vocabulary with the people in our lives that reflects the unique season we are in. Relationships benefit when both parties are well-versed in emotional intelligence, but ultimately, we can only control ourselves. When one person has developed emotional intelligence, it often creates a synergy and shared vocabulary that can help both individuals navigate their dynamic more smoothly. The shared understanding and vocabulary are the ultimate communication hack, which allows everyone to regulate their emotions before responding. No one can make you feel anything; what you feel is the story you are telling yourself based on your interpretation. So often, someone will do or say something, and we mistranslate it. We tell ourselves someone is punishing us by giving us the cold shoulder when they just need time to collect their thoughts. It takes emotional intelligence to explain that you need a quiet moment to process your emotions and share a considerate and thoughtful response. This instantly helps the other person understand the reaction wasn’t directed at them. We can create better relationships when we take our time and use that shared vocabulary. No matter how difficult a topic might be, like a breakup or explaining to your child what will change after a divorce, emotional intelligence allows us to present the information more kindly, with less room for misinterpretations. Just as seasons change, so do our relationships, and if we keep that in context as we regulate our emotions, we can weather almost anything together.
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
I ngredients • 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs • 3 tbsp butter, melted • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cup milk • 1 (1 oz package) sugar-free cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix • 2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced
D irections 1. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Press evenly into an 8-inch pie pan. Refrigerate until set. 2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, then add milk and blend until smooth. 3. Add pudding mixture to cream mixture and blend on low speed until completely mixed. 4. Spoon half the filling over the crust, add a layer of strawberries, then spread the rest of the filling over them and top with remaining strawberries. 5. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
“There is no Wi-Fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection.” –R alph S mart
–Shelia Manely
3
Call for a Consultation: ( 866) 245-5685
211 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 (866) 687-8561 www.allfamilylaw.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1 2 3 4
Earth Day Is a Wake-Up Call
Operation Homefront Honors Remarkable Kids How Ketevan Turns Life Stories Into Legal Triumphs From Cold Shoulders to Closer Connections Low-Sugar, No-Bake Cheesecake
Turn Teen Disagreements Into Growth
Parenting Teens TIPS FOR HANDLING CONFLICT WITH CARE
As kids grow into teens and young adults, family dynamics often change. Gaining more independence naturally becomes their priority, which can lead to more conflicts at home. Whether disagreeing over curfews, arguing about responsibilities, or struggling with differing communication styles, these challenges can feel new to many parents. Conflicts don’t have to create division, though. They can even strengthen your relationship if you handle them with care. KEY STRATEGIES FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION Engage in active listening. Sometimes, the best way to avoid or defuse conflict is just to listen. Active listening helps strengthen relationships by showing your teen you care and understand their perspective. Reflect on their feelings to show you’re paying attention (e.g., “It sounds like you’re upset because you feel misunderstood.”). This approach helps teens feel heard and makes it less likely they’ll get defensive. Collaborate on solutions. Instead of imposing rules or decisions on your teen, involve them in finding resolutions. Collaboration and negotiation show their input matters. Open discussions foster mutual
respect and help build a foundation for long-term trust and understanding. When collaborating, ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think would be fair?” or “How can we make this better for everyone?” Set clear, respectful boundaries. Teens still need structure, but how you enforce boundaries matters. Respect their growing independence by explaining the reasoning behind rules and allowing room for compromise. You can also demonstrate the behavior you expect from your teen by setting and maintaining your boundaries. Modeling appropriate boundary-setting in your interactions shows them how to establish and respect limits in their relationships, which can benefit them long after they leave home.
BUILDING STRONGER BONDS THROUGH CONFLICT
The teenage years bring rapid changes in how teens relate to their world and families. Conflict is common during this formative period, but it doesn’t have to be a battle — it can be a bridge. With patience, empathy, and the right strategies, you can foster a bond that not only survives the teen years but thrives because of them.
4
www.allfamilylaw.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator