Bruce Law Firm - September 2024

Occupations reflect the times: Jobs we have today didn’t exist years ago, and vice versa. Many past careers weren’t glamorous, and some are the worst professions in history. Let’s look at four foul jobs that no longer exist (and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it). PURPLE DYE MAKERS Dyeing clothes is so ordinary today that it’s hard to imagine a world where certain pigments are rare, but this was especially true for purple in generations past. Back in ancient times (first century CE), the hue of the royals was made by crushing thousands of snails, extracting their glands, and then heating the material in a pot full of brine for 10 days in an incredibly odorous process! DRIPPING MEN Do you use the fat drippings from your roasts to make gravies or fry other foods? Since this liquid gold can add flavor to any dish, there was once an entire profession built around it. A dripping man back in Victorian England would go to homes and businesses to collect their fat to sell to the public. CHILDBED LINEN WAREHOUSE KEEPERS For much of history, women gave birth at home, not in a hospital. So, it’s not surprising that an industry arose during the 19th century to cater to this. According to an 1842 book of trades, there was a job for supplying, collecting, and cleaning bed linens specifically for birth. HONEY DIPPERS, TOSHERS, AND PUREFINDERS In 19th century England, the country had recently seen an enormous boom in the population, and most of the available housing lacked flush toilets or sinks with running water. This meant more sewage found its way into the city streets — giving rise to three jobs we no longer see today. Honey dippers collected waste from homes, toshers scavenged sewers for valuable items to sell, and purefinders collected dog poop (to be used in the process of tanning leathers). The next time you get a case of “the Mondays” and question whether or not you like your job, consider this: Would you rather be crushing and boiling snails for 10 days instead? Probably not! Still, which jobs of our era will be considered weird history in the future? CAREERS YOU’LL BE GLAD ARE EXTINCT UNMASKING SOME OF HISTORY’S WORST JOBS

THE CO-PARENTING COMPASS

Key Elements for a Balanced Parenting Plan

Sometimes, parenting can feel like you have no road map to help you navigate life. It can be especially overwhelming when you are co-parenting with an ex-spouse or are going through a divorce or separation. A comprehensive parenting plan can be your compass, and it’s crucial to ensuring consistency and stability in your child’s life. From defining visitation rights to establishing boundaries for communication, a well-crafted plan can minimize conflicts and provide you both with clear expectations for co- parenting. This month, we’re exploring key elements to include in your plan. COMMUNICATION You and your co-parent must communicate important information about your child, so preparing for that in your plan is crucial. Set boundaries and specify how much or how little you want to talk to your ex. This is a great way to explain your expectations for communication etiquette, such as respectful language. Make it clear your child won’t ever be a messenger between you, and spell out what details or information you two should always discuss, like doctor visits or report cards. HOLIDAYS AND ACTIVITIES Co-parents should create a calendar detailing who is responsible for certain activities, pick-ups, or regular appointments. Holidays can be particularly challenging, considering these are treasured times for family memories. Think about your holiday traditions as you divide these dates up, and make sure your child gets an equal amount of time with each of their extended families on these special occasions. Plan for extracurricular activities as well. EXPENSES When it comes to your child’s belongings, spell out what items will stay at whose house and what items will move back and forth with your child. Along with that, include provisions about everyday expenses. Create a process to track and split costs on items like clothes, school supplies, and allowance. There are several ways you can make this equitable, and many apps available today can help you manage expenses like these. A detailed parenting plan can make all the difference in effective co-parenting and ensuring your child’s well-being. Addressing these key areas creates a structured and predictable environment for your child. Embrace this opportunity to set the foundation for a brighter future for your child.

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