Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
A SALUTE TO WORKING MOTHERS BRUCE LAW CELEBRATES THE MULTITASKING MAGIC OF CAREER MOMS
Changing diapers and making a difference in the courtroom, balancing baby formula and breakfast on the go, and making time for good night stories after putting in overtime. At Bruce Law Firm, we know the struggles of being a mom while working full time. We see many of our clients struggle with co-parenting, most of whom are married to an emotionally abusive and narcissistic spouse as they work to make ends meet financially. Dealing with these demands can be stress-inducing and exhausting. We understand you. We get you. We applaud you because you have one of the toughest and most beautiful jobs out there. This month, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we want to give a special shout-out to the working moms, an inspiring group of women who make miracles happen at home and in the office.
feel like they meld right into storytime, and as moms try to achieve their career goals, they can feel the pressure of ensuring their children get everything they need. At Bruce Law Firm, many of our team members are parents themselves. Hence, we understand the struggles of juggling work, motherhood, career development, finances, volunteer work, eating healthy, exercising, and making time for ourselves. This can be absolutely exhausting and very demanding. It becomes even more complicated when returning to work after becoming a new mother. When we were new parents, we put Russell and Ruby into “school” at 3 and 4 months old. With Ashley returning to work full time at a large law firm, this was our only choice. We both found ourselves incredibly busy and needed help with our little ones. Our parents — Bernice, Krissanne, Spencer, and Russ — stepped in to help in any way they could. We would not have been able to maintain our careers while at the same time welcoming our children into this world without our own parents. Going through this experience just reaffirmed to us how important it is for working parents, whatever their situation is, to have a strong support network both at home and on the job. Our office is excited to welcome back several of our team members — attorneys Ashley Bustamante, Mary Munuz, and Leesha Newkirk. These heroes have all become new moms again, and we are here to see them flourish in the courtroom and baby room. We are so thankful to have them back as part of our team and appreciate that they can understand the challenges all mothers face when working and caring for a little human. On this Mother’s Day, be thankful for those mothers working and taking care of children; either venture alone is difficult enough. And don’t forget to be thankful for the mothers of the mothers because it’s they who sometimes make everything possible. We love our moms, and we couldn’t do this without them. –Ashley and Christopher Bruce
Cheers to working mothers!
Being a mother is the most rewarding yet challenging role, and when you add on the pressures of a career, it can create entirely new stress levels. From achieving the right work-life balance to navigating sometimes unfair stereotypes, busy mamas must take care of themselves, their children, and their work responsibilities. This isn’t a job for the faint of heart, but it’s one of the most incredible experiences. There are days when multiple meetings
561-810-0170 • 1
Food is central to every culture. The what, why, and hows of culinary history are diverse and fascinating. From the forgotten Roman condiment to the short-lived hot soda, there’s no end to the depth of interesting food facts. NO. 1: DOUBLE-DIP FAUX PAS The nobility of the Ottoman Empire followed a complex but rational code of culinary conduct. After washing with soap and water, they ate primarily with their hands. Once the meal began, they followed rules much like ours. Double dipping and lip-smacking were frowned upon, and eating more than one bite of a dish was rude, too. Luckily, meals had dozens of unique dishes. NO. 2: THE LOST CONDIMENT The Romans left behind a vibrant legacy. Aqueducts are still used throughout Europe, while their language is the basis of many other languages. One thing that hasn’t stood the test of time is garum. They poured this condiment on almost everything they ate. Made from fermented fish, garum’s salty, fishy flavor no longer appeals to the average Westerner’s palate. NO. 3: HOT BEVERAGE FAIL Dr. Pepper, like most sodas, is best enjoyed cold. This means there are fewer soda sales during the winter when people opt for comforting, warm beverages. To remedy this, the soda company tried to push hot Dr. Pepper in the 1960s. Meant to be served warm with lemon, they marketed it to magazines, television, and radio. The campaign was unsurprisingly unsuccessful. NO. 4: ROAMING RAMEN Ramen is one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, but it doesn’t actually originate from Japan. The noodle soup comes from China, where it is known as shina soba. It became popular in Japan after World War II. The country had undergone a food shortage for years but had finally started importing supplies. Chinese food was believed to be nourishing and filling, so street vendors offering cheap but delicious ramen became a mainstay. Once instant ramen was invented, the noodle soup became associated with Japan worldwide. Whenever you sit down for dinner, consider how you eat and the odd traditions you unconsciously observe. We’re all part of a marvelous culinary culture and should celebrate what makes us unique. 4 FASCINATING HISTORICAL FOOD FACTS
Tips for Working Parents Parenthood is one of the most rewarding life experiences a person can have. But warming up baby bottles between meetings or caravaning your kid’s friends to soccer practice after work can leave you ready for a nap. For working parents, having the ability to succeed in the workplace and get plenty of quality family time can be a balancing act. While there’s no such thing as a perfect work-life balance, you can find harmony in your life by focusing your time and remaining kind to yourself. FROM BOTTLES TO BOARDROOMS
Here’s some practical advice for busy working parents.
CREATE A SCHEDULE. Scheduling is essential when working on your career and family obligations. Share your schedule with your family so they understand when you are available or when you are in a meeting. Be sure to block out time for self-care, socializing, and activities with your children. If possible, create work-life boundaries by setting working hours and non-working hours. TALK TO YOUR KIDS. Leaving your children at daycare as you head to the office can be difficult to get used to, but have honest conversations with your children about your job. Explain to them what you do for a living and how it impacts the lives of others. You are the best person to help your children understand that sometimes you will be busy at work and not free to spend time with them. FIND SHORTCUTS. Seek out shortcuts that will make everyday responsibilities easier and quicker. Are there options to make multiple lunches for the week at once? Can you create a chore chart to have the family help you with obligations around the house? You can also find hacks at work without compromising your productivity, like finding a helpful project management program to aid you in scheduling your calendar. DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU. Working moms especially can receive criticism from others, but what others think about you is their business, not yours. Focus on what’s best for you and your children. Prioritize self-care because you need energy to accomplish all your personal and professional goals. You can do small things for yourself, such as reading a new book or enjoying a new scented candle. Self-care also means getting proper sleep, eating right, and keeping one’s stress under control. Parenthood looks different for everyone. If you are a working parent, stay positive, reach out to others for help when needed, and remember to celebrate yourself for the fantastic work ethic and grace you’re passing on to your children by example.
Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?
OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!
The book can be downloaded for FREE at DivorceInformationBooks.com
2 • BrucePA.com
TIPS FOR MANAGING MANIPULATIVE CO-PARENTS HOW TO CO-PARENT WITH A NARCISSISTIC EX
PREPARE FOR CHALLENGES. Narcissists are master manipulators, so it’s not uncommon for them to attempt to turn your children against you. They may go out of their way to make co-parenting responsibilities more complex, like interfering with you and your children’s plans or not agreeing to custody or other arrangements. They may “love bomb” you or make countless promises to fix their behaviors to get you to change your mind. People like this are controlling and try to protect their egos, not their families. PUT YOUR KIDS FIRST. As nasty as a narcissist can get, don’t sink to their level. Just because your ex lacks empathy doesn’t mean you must parent that way. Put your children’s feelings first and keep the doors of communication wide open for them. Be the person who can guide your children through their feelings of frustration, confusion, or sadness. Avoid speaking ill of your ex around your children because they may already feel forced to pick sides. Your ex might look for ways to cause you stress during this time, so do your best to keep your emotions at bay in arguments and keep your kids out of it. CREATE A PARENTING PLAN. If you create a custody agreement or legal parenting plan, you will have all the details of your wishes for your children’s care in writing. If your ex tries to interfere with those plans, the courts can formally enforce it. Do your best to eliminate any gray areas in that plan. Creating boundaries is vital, and it might take legal action to ensure your ex follows the set parenting expectations. At Bruce Law Firm, we have helped many people who are in the process of divorcing a narcissist, and we understand the importance of keeping your children protected. If you need guidance in co-parenting with a narcissist or any other divorce services, contact us at 561-810-0170 .
Co-parenting brings its own set of challenges when both parents get along amicably. If your ex-spouse is a narcissist, you already know cooperation is not their strong suit. A narcissistic parent or spouse is non- empathetic, self-centered, and not healthy for the home. At Bruce Law Firm, we know how unnecessarily complicated a narcissist can make your divorce. It’s essential to understand the best ways to protect and care for your children when co-parenting with a narcissist.
GRILLED RED CURRY BEEF SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE
Inspired by StarTribune.com
Ingredients •
Feeding Russell after lawyering all day in the office
For sauce: •
1 1/2 lb flank steak
• • • •
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1–2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
2 tbsp lime juice
• • • • •
1–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste
1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tbsp lime juice
Directions 1. Freeze flank steak for 30 minutes. Cut crosswise, against the grain, into thin slices. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice, curry paste, and fish sauce. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 8 hours. 3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut milk, curry paste, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peanut butter and stir until well blended. Remove from heat and add lime juice. 4. Thread the marinated meat onto 12 long skewers. Grill until beef is medium rare, 1–2 minutes per side. 5. Transfer satay to a platter and serve with peanut sauce.
Ashley, enjoying outside time after work with Ruby
561-810-0170 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
A Spotlight on Super Moms page 1
Food History Facts That Will Amaze You Practical Advice for Busy Working Parents page 2
To Parent Against the Odds Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce page 3
Be Prepared for the Worst page 4
YOUR ESTATE PLANNING CHECKLIST
Estate planning is a crucial part of financial management that ensures your hard- earned assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass. Creating a strategic roadmap for transferring this wealth, minimizing taxes for those beneficiaries, and providing security for your loved ones is incredibly important. To start this journey, you must understand what documents are essential. Here is a checklist of important documents you should include in your planning. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT The foundation of any estate plan is a last will and testament. This document outlines how you want your assets distributed and who will be responsible for executing your wishes. You don’t have to be retirement age to write yours. It’s best to be prepared as it allows you to appoint a guardian for minors. It must be clear and concise in your will to avoid misunderstandings and legal complications. LIVING WILL OR ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE A living will or advance health care directive articulates your preferences regarding medical treatment in case you become unable to communicate. This document guides your family and healthcare professionals on decisions related to life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and other critical matters. FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY Designating a trusted individual as your financial power of attorney is essential. This person will manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Choose
someone reliable and trustworthy to handle your finances. Take your time with this decision, as this person will control your finances.
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS Many assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and bank accounts, allow you to designate beneficiaries. Regularly reviewing these designations ensures that your assets go to the intended recipients without going through probate.
REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST This last document is not necessary for everyone, but a revocable living trust can be a valuable tool in estate planning. It enables you to transfer assets into the trust during your lifetime and specifies how those should be distributed after your passing, avoiding probate.
4 • BrucePA.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator