Atlanta Divorce Law Group - May 2021

Atlanta Divorce Law Group - May 2021

When I first became a mom, I felt like I was at a crossroads on Mother’s Day. On one hand, I wanted to spend time with my family and receive all the gifts and attention my kids and spouse had to give. On the other hand, I also wanted to finally get a bit of “me” time. If Mother’s Day was my day, shouldn’t it be the one day a year I could do whatever I wanted, even if that was relaxing at the spa by myself? My husband and I actually had a minor debate about this early on. At first, I was on team “me day” while he argued that Mother’s Day is really a holiday for the kids. He explained that in his view, it’s a way for them to learn gift-giving and figure out how to show love and appreciation for their mother. They couldn’t do that if I wasn’t around. His argument really hit home for me, and after contemplating both views, I realized two things. First, both of us were right, and second, I had some internal work to do! Mother’s Day can be a sensitive day for me, and you might be able to relate if you’re a mom. Sometimes, what the kids think I want and what I actually want don’t line up. That’s where the internal work comes in. Every year, I have to work on surrendering to the kids’ plan for the day and accepting what they want to give me. Sometimes being appreciative is a struggle! One year, all I wanted was to sleep in, have a cup of coffee, and go to brunch at a nice, quiet restaurant. Instead, the kids charged into my room early in the morning, jumping and screaming! They couldn’t wait to go to a specific park with me, and they were dead set The Big Mother’s Day Dilemma HOW TO BALANCE WHAT YOU WANT WITH THE NEEDS OF YOUR KIDS

May 2021

My mom, mother-in-law, and my daughter.

on “treating me” to lunch at The Original Pancake House — a noisy, chaotic family restaurant. I had to give myself a pep talk and practice a lot of self-awareness to get through that one. There have definitely been many Mother’s Days when I messed up my reaction and either complained or blamed someone else when the day didn’t go the way I wanted. I’m not perfect, but I’m getting better. I’m also lucky to have an open line of communication with my husband. These days, he helps steer the kids’ plans and makes sure they carve out time for at least one thing I actually want to do. I know many other women aren’t so lucky. Maybe you’re a single mom, your relationship is struggling, or you’re divorced without a spouse to rely on. In those cases, I think it’s important to both be open to receiving love from your kids and comfortable enough in your skin to stand up for yourself and what you want. If your kids are old enough, you can explain to them what you’d like to do on Mother’s Day and ask them to work it into their plans. Alternately, you can fill in those gaps for yourself, even if it’s not actually on Mother’s Day. Carve out time for a full day at the spa, an extra hour in bed, or a long lunch with your girlfriends. Be open to receiving love from your kids (whether it’s in the form of a doll, a crazy piece of jewelry, or a noisy brunch), but remember to fill your tank, too. Mother’s Day gets even more complicated when you add grandmothers into the mix. For me, every year is a delicate balance between what I want, what the kids want, and what we should do as a family to honor my mom and my husband’s mom. After years of navigating this, here’s my best advice: Go into Mother’s Day with an open mind and no expectations. Remember that your kids won’t be kids forever. As cliche as it sounds, someday you’ll probably look back nostalgically on the macaroni necklace and terrible meal. At least, that’s what I tell myself!

AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com 678-203-9893

“There have definitely been many Mother’s Days when I messed up my reaction and either complained or blamed someone else when the day didn’t go the way I wanted.”

–Sara Khaki

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678-203-9893

GET POST-DIVORCE SUPPORT AND ADOPTION TIPS WITH ONE CLICK! JOIN OUR VIRTUAL WEBINAR AND SUPPORT GROUP

Kathleen Shack, the founder and CEO of Family Solutions Counseling, LLC, can help you do that during our monthly Happily Ever After Divorce support group. The group brings people going through the divorce process together. You’ll lean on each other and learn in a tightknit community. Right now, our support groups are virtual, so you can join online from the comfort of your home or office. Sign up today to open the next chapter of your life! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWABOUT ADOPTION (COMPLIMENTARYWEBINAR) When: Thursday, May 27, at 7 p.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/Webinars/ What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Adoption So, you’re considering adopting a child — congratulations! This is a huge decision that will change the course of your life, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Luckily, our team of experienced

family law attorneys is here to help. In this month’s complimentary

Our complimentary divorce support groups and seminars are available online! Register for these upcoming events to gain knowledge, resources, and emotional support that will help you feel empowered while you go through major life changes. HAPPILY EVER AFTER DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING (VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP) When: Thursday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/Happily- Ever-After-Divorce-Support-Group Are you recently divorced or currently mired in the process? If you are, then you probably have thousands of questions bouncing around in your head. Why did this happen to me? Where do I go from here? What does it all mean? This is perfectly normal! But if you want to find closure and move on from the old you into your happily ever after divorce, you need to let them go.

webinar, we’ll walk you through your adoption options, fill you in on what to expect during

the process, and lay out the potential financial hurdles. We’ll also give you an arsenal of tips and tools that will help you and your child adjust to your “new normal” as a family. To sign up, visit the website listed above. We can’t wait to see you there virtually! Here at ADLG, we’re not letting COVID-19 slow us down. Sign up for these virtual events to get the information and support you need without leaving home.

for Your Home or Office Bring Spring Indoors

The Most Beautiful May Flowers

You can also freshen up the room with sweet peas , which have a wonderfully mild perfume. They come with an enormous range of colors — one of the biggest ranges in the flora kingdom, in fact! Delicate, ruffled, and feminine, sweet peas are sure to delight anyone who sees them. Lastly, although tulips or orchids would be classic choices for your arrangement, consider surprising your visitors with . These beautiful, peaceful little blooms only grow in white, which is often seen as the color of renewal and innocence, and they wear it well! Their adorable little bell-like flowers will be sure to put a smile on your face. We hope you will consider these gorgeous flowers for your space this year. A small purchase at your local small businesses can make a big difference, just like how a few flowers can make a big difference in your home!

The April showers came and went, so now we get to enjoy May flowers! You might not buy flowers for yourself often, but it’s totally worth treating yourself and your visitors, all while supporting your local florist! To start off, anemones are the most mythological May plant around because of two famous Greek myths surrounding these jewel-toned flowers. Anemones are said to have sprung from blood shed by the death of Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient Greeks also believed that the god of the west wind favored anemones — hence their second name, the windflower.

Attach them as pops of color to any bouquet for a classic, romantic, or modern arrangement, or mix them with roses and trailing greenery for a more boho look.

Carnations are also fantastic flowers to display in May. Some people may see carnations as a cheap flower, but, when used en masse, they can have a truly breathtaking effect in a room. Try using natural-colored carnations to create a fresh, contemporary space.

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STRAIGHTEN THE SLOUCH 3 Tools to Help You Perfect Your Posture

Slumping our shoulders is a form of poor posture that often results in neck, shoulder, and back pain. It can be a hard habit to break, so sometimes people need a little more than self-correction to improve their posture. Enter posture correctors: tools specifically designed to help correct a person’s posture. Though they should not be used regularly, they can help remind your body of what a correct posture is and how to maintain it without support. Here are three correctors that can help you. TRUWEO This supporter is for anyone who is on a small budget and looking to improve their posture. The Truweo posture corrector is used by wrapping around the shoulders — both over and under clothing — and can be adjusted for optimum comfort. It is lightweight, breathable, washable, and can be worn for all activities. Whether you are sitting at a desk, working out, or walking, Truweo

will be there to offer you the extra support you need. Find it now on Amazon!

FORME Wearing both a corrector and a bra can be uncomfortable, which is why Forme is perfect for anyone hoping to avoid that discomfort. The Forme sports bra offers an under-bust band for posture improvement and also includes eight functional panels to help you stay comfortable, especially during physical activity. You can find this and other health-conscious clothing items at Forme.science. ASPEN If you need lower-back support, this posture corrector is a great choice. Easily fitted under or over clothes, this device can ease back pain caused by fatigued muscles, spasms, or flare-ups in addition to offering lumbar support. The Aspen Lumbar Support is completely adjustable, so you

are in control of the amount of pressure applied. To learn more about this item, visit the Aspen website at AspenMP.com. Before deciding which corrector you should use, talk to your doctor. They can help you choose the best option for this journey of posture correction and overall health improvement.

Concierge Partner’s Corner

HERE’S WHAT OUR Clients Are Saying!

“Our experience with ADLG was fantastic. I absolutely recommend attorney Stephanie Weil and all of the staff involved in our case. Stephanie was thorough, professional, super responsive, and always a step ahead. She really took a vested interest in our family’s case and made sure we got the very best outcome. If I could scream a recommendation for her from the rooftops, I would! She’s the best!” –Kristen W. “The whole firm was a pleasure to work with! Ultimately, Stephanie handled my mediation and was able to negotiate a good deal for settlement. If I had to go to court, this is the team I would want! I would refer to ADLG any time!” –Anne-Marie M.

Some people cut their hair after a divorce, change up their clothing style, or go back to the gym. But there’s another option if you really want to give your life a new look: Update your home! Post-divorce or separation, something as simple as a kitchen renovation, new siding, or a more eco-conscious gutter system can make your house feel more like yours. To get help with any of those things in the greater North Metro Atlanta or Knoxville areas, turn to Artech Roofing & Construction. They offer roofing installations, replacements, and repairs, but they also do much more than that, including remodeling projects! They can add a skylight or turn your deck into your personal oasis. If your kitchen, bathroom, or patio are more your ex’s style than yours, they’ll step in to help and take the weight of the past off your shoulders. When you’re ready to explore your options, visit ArtechRoofing.com or reach out directly to Michael Palmer by calling 678-492-1308 or emailing [email protected]. He’ll help you map out the changes you’d like to see and paint a picture of your happily ever after divorce in your updated home.

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Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity HOW TO LIVE TO 99

EXERCISE YOUR MIND In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty

Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday. KEEP LAUGHING “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” White says. “You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young. BE OPTIMISTIC White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine. STAY BUSY With nearly eight decades of acting under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.”

White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.”

FIND A CAUSE White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the house.” While pet ownership itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised from White’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets, all go to support animal charities. EMBRACE YOUR VICES White told Parade she loves vodka and hot dogs “probably in that order,” which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your treats to live to 99.

Remembering Professor Anne Dupre Sarah’s Toughest Teacher and a Giant in the Legal Field

Think back to your experience in high school and college. Who was your toughest teacher? How far would you go to impress them? Sometimes strict teachers can make students’ lives miserable, but they can also be the best mentors if you go the extra mile. For ADLG founder Sara Khaki, University of Georgia law school professor Anne Dupre was that tough cookie.

“I would write something, and she would bleed all over it in red ink and give it a grade less than an A,” Sara says, remembering Professor Dupre’s education law and child custody classes. “But I would keep coming back and trying to perfect it. I was very engaged in her classes. I always participated, and I was always on time.” Eventually, Sara’s efforts won Professor Dupre over, and the storied lawyer, author, and former Supreme Court clerk brought Sara into her “inner circle” of high-achieving students. “I got to go to her house, have pizza with her, and have incredibly geeky law conversions. She made me excited about all of the things she was into. We talked about hot-button child custody and First Amendment rights issues,” Sara says. Sara took every class Professor Dupre had to offer, including courses in education law, constitutional law, and child custody. The first A she received from her was the high of her law school experience.

“Professor Dupre was known as one of the serious professors in law school, but once you got to know her and gained her trust, she was the biggest giver of all,” Sara recalls. “She was relentless about pushing me beyond what I thought I could be.” Thanks to Professor Dupre, Sara found the confidence to balance owning two law firms with having a family — a decision unheard of in Professor Dupre’s generation and still rare today. Professor Dupre passed away 10 years ago, but she still inspires Sara today.

“I have her picture framed in my office as a reminder of who she was,” Sara says.

This Teacher’s Appreciation Week, our firm is honoring Anne Dupre and her legacy. To learn more about her work, check out her book “Speaking Up: The Unintended Costs of Free Speech in Public Schools” on Amazon!

Anne & Sara

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