When Sarah was a senior in high school working on her college applications, her mom told her that she needed to include that her parents had been divorced since she was four years old. Sarah was told it was because being a child of divorce is an adversity that she had to overcome. Sarah's jaw dropped, and she looked in disbelief as she asked why. Her mom told her it was because she lived in two homes and had to go back and forth. That made it more challenging to keep track of her things, including her homework. There is also a presumption that since her parents are divorced, they don't get along and don't communicate as well regarding her needs.

The definition of conflict is two people disagreeing.  People express their opinions healthily in a healthy home, so an amicable resolution is achieved.  In other homes, the conflict, whether with a parent or sibling or witnessing parents in conflict, is disrespectful in many ways.

Laurie separated from her ex when her daughter Sammy was two and a half years old. When Sammy, at the age of ten, saw Laurie working on her website, Laurie asked her if she had anything she wanted to share with parents who are divorcing. Here’s what Sammy wanted to share, almost word for word. Laurie’s comments are in parentheses.