Bruce Law Firm - August 2022

Bruce Law Firm - August 2022

Beating Back-to- School Jitters AND OTHER FEARS OF THE UNKNOWN

Bruce Law Firm goes back to school

Change is rarely easy, and we can sometimes feel many emotions about it at once. We’ve all looked forward to something but still felt a little nervous about it. And many of us have made a difficult decision we knew was best in the long run but still experienced lingering doubts. So, it’s no surprise that back-to-school jitters affect many kids. Even outgoing kids might experience anxiety about the upcoming schedule, schoolwork, or social dynamics. And kids who are shy or have difficulty making friends often struggle even more. It feels like it was a long time ago, but we all had concerns before the first day of school. What would you wear? Would the other kids like you? Who would you sit with at lunch? What if someone made fun of you? How could you make the other kids think you’re cool? Those worries are probably nothing compared to what you deal with as an adult, but they can feel like the whole world to children. As the first day of school approaches, many kids are experiencing big feelings. They deserve our empathy and understanding, and they should also know they’re not alone in their concerns. Dealing with self-doubt and fear of the unknown is difficult, so it’s important to have healthy coping mechanisms. Children will need their parents’ guidance to process what they’re experiencing. The first step is to acknowledge

all kids are different. They won’t all feel stress or nervousness about school — and if they do, the tactics that worked for you may not work for them. Start by asking how they’re feeling instead of trying to guess. If your child expresses hesitation or anxiety, work to get to the root of their concern. Apprehensions about the difficulty of the school work will require different solutions from worries about making new friends. And with different ages come unique anxieties. Elementary school kids might be nervous about getting a new teacher, while new middle schoolers might be worried about changing classes or using a locker for the first time. Once you understand their specific concerns, work to address them through practice, routines, and frank conversations. Give kids some power over the decision-making. Choosing your shoes or backpack can mean a lot when you’re young! Walking through potential scenarios will also give your child a blueprint to handle problems. Finally, remember that their anxiety might not stop right away. Keep checking in about what’s going well and what isn’t. Even as adults, those feelings never quite go away. Many of our clients experience a different version of these emotions when going through a divorce. Deciding to take the first step of leaving an unhappy marriage behind can feel exhilarating, but it can also

be terrifying and raise a lot of nerve-wracking questions. How will you handle child care? Where will you live? Are you doing the right thing? Will you ever find love again? If you’re going through a divorce, try to be easy on yourself and remember that none of us are perfect. Reach out to the people who love you for additional support. Make time for self-care and consider talking to a therapist. Perhaps most importantly, do your homework when finding an attorney to represent your case. Like with your kids, you won’t have all the answers right away. Sometimes, the only way to find out what lies ahead is to go through it. But there are strategies both adults and kids can use to take care of themselves in the meantime. Whether it’s a new year of school or the end of a relationship, new beginnings represent a fresh start and an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and start your path into the future.

–Ashley and Christopher Bruce

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In the Hot Seat

Tips for a Successful Deposition

Many divorces resolve in mediation, but those that aren’t head to trial. Before appearing in a courtroom, a good attorney will request a deposition with their client’s spouse. You’ll likely be called into a room and asked a series of questions under oath so the opposing counsel can nail down the facts, determine your credibility, and develop a legal strategy. If your divorce case requires a deposition, your attorney will work to prepare you in detail. They’ll share the types of questions you’re likely to be asked, address your concerns, and even give you tips on wardrobe and body language. But no matter the details of your case, some of the same rules always apply. First and foremost, you should always tell the truth. It might be tempting to lie or fudge the details when the facts present you in a negative light, but the truth will eventually come out. And if you lie in your deposition, it will be much worse for you than the embarrassment might have been. Remember, you are under oath. But while you should always remain honest, that doesn’t mean you should volunteer information. If the attorney asks you a yes or no question, give a yes or no answer and wait to see if they follow up. Don’t be intimidated by long silences or facial expressions that indicate you “should” say more when you have already answered the question. If you’re unsure what is being asked, request clarification before responding. And don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember” if that’s the honest answer. Finally, it’s crucial to remain calm and collected. Depositions are often nerve- wracking and uncomfortable, and your ex might be present. Be prepared for this reality, but don’t address your spouse directly. Take deep breaths and pause to think before giving your answer. Also, stay alert and consistent — the attorney may ask you the same question multiple times to trip you up. Perhaps most importantly, ensure that nothing comes out in the deposition your attorney does not already know. Remember, you have attorney-client privilege, and what you tell your lawyer is confidential. We can’t prepare for what we don’t know — and while surprises under oath make for good television, they don’t create positive legal outcomes. Trust us with the truth, and we’ll plan for the worst-case scenarios in advance.

Make the Most of Every Nook and Cranny As people spend more time in their houses, the boundaries between home, work, and leisure are blurred more than ever, which can impact mood and productivity. No matter where you live — a single-family suburban home or a one-bedroom apartment — you want to squeeze as much function as you can in an existing space. These tactics will help you get the most out of your abode. Fold it away. One of the first steps in creating more space is to utilize multifunctional furniture. These are pieces that can fold and free up floor space when they’re not in use, or they can even transform into another piece of useful furniture. Instead of using a free-standing desk, you can go with a fold-away desk that disappears into your wall or can easily be hidden in a storage area or under the bed. There are also tables that transform and expand when needed. You can look into using a bed that folds into the wall, as they come with built-in storage options to keep extra bedding, clothes, shoes, and other space-hogging items. Consider combining rooms. If you have an open-floor plan, combining rooms is a great way to make the most of the existing space. Combining rooms like the dining room and kitchen is ideal for social gatherings in one area where no one is cut off from the crowd while cooking. Another combination is a bedroom closet and office. A few shelves and a chair can morph a closet into a great office workplace, and you can even tuck it behind a curtain when it’s not in use. You can also use this technique in an empty corner of a room. When it comes to creating a multifunctional area, it’s not about dividing the room in half. Instead, it’s about allocating your space according to how you’re actually going to use it. You can really use every nook and cranny of your home to your advantage, and it’ll give you plenty of room for more activities.

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Make the First Move Building Exercise Habits With Your Kids

Get creative. You want to have fun while moving around, so it helps to incorporate games. Freeze tag, water balloon fights, and red rover remain classics, and pretending the floor is lava is perfect for a rainy day. But if you’ve got a good imagination, you can get even more outside the box. Plenty of families make up games and create lasting memories. Ask your kids for ideas and go with or expand on their suggestions. The only thing better than getting your exercise is feeling like a kid again. Make it an outing. Eventually, your kids will get too old for red light, green light. Tweens and teens will want something more grown-up, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay active as a family. Consider instituting a nightly after-dinner walk, taking a weekly bike ride through the park, or training for a marathon together. Finding new places in the area to explore on foot is another great way to get out of the house and move. Older kids might also like learning something new, like tennis or racquetball. Sign up for classes together and play in teams to bond while you sweat.

Most of us should exercise more than we do, and our kids often face the same dilemma. Exercise With Your Child Week on Aug. 7–13 encourages a dual solution of building healthy habits together as a family, but many families don’t know how to get started. Your kids probably have little interest in the treadmill or weightlifting (just like many adults), so we’ve compiled some more enjoyable ways everyone can get their heart rate pumping. Hold a dance party. Even the most steadfast couch potatoes can often be convinced to get up and dance to their favorite music. Why? It’s fun! That’s the goal. You want your children to associate movement with joy instead of thinking of it as another chore. So, clear the living room, crank up the tunes, and start moving! Rotate between your family members’ favorite songs so everyone gets their chance for fun. And if you really can’t agree, consider a silent dance party where everyone wears headphones with their own music but still dances together.

This week is a great catalyst to jump-start your family’s activity, but you should also work on making a much longer commitment. Lifelong habits lead to lifelong health for both you and your little ones.

Inspired by Delish.com Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.

Ingredients

•

4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness

• • • • • •

3 tomatoes, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste 4 slices mozzarella cheese Parmesan cheese, grated

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4 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice, divided

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Directions

1.

Add chicken to a large resealable bag.

2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.

Ruby wants to be a doctor

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Handling Big Feelings About Back-to-School page 1

Create Multifunctional Spaces Preparing for a Successful Deposition page 2

Celebrating Exercise With Your Children Week Tasty Bruschetta Chicken page 3

4 Reasons to Start Golfing This Summer page 4 Tee Off This Summer 4 GREAT BENEFITS OF GOLF

Golf is an enjoyable sport anyone can participate in regardless of experience, ability, and age. There’s nothing quite like teeing off on the first hole after a difficult week of work. Though it can certainly be frustrating at times, golf is a fun sport with many amazing perks. Reading the following benefits will make you want to head to your local course, even if you’re not a regular golfer. Great Exercise Playing a full 18 holes of golf can be exhausting and for good reason. Swinging a golf club works your forearms, core, shoulders, and back muscles. If you choose to walk the course, you’ll be getting in a great workout as the average course length is about 4 miles. You can also carry your golf bag for an even better workout. Builds Character It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned golfer or on the course for the first time, you are not going to have a perfect round. You may miss a putt or end up

in the sand trap, but you decide how you react to the situation. You can get mad and potentially play worse or understand that everything is not always going to work out in golf. That lesson can even be applied to your everyday life. Draws You Outside Most of us can use some additional time outdoors, and golf provides the perfect opportunity. Between rolling hills, picturesque ponds, and lush trees, the golf course is a beautiful setting. Even if you’re playing poorly, you can still enjoy being outside for a few hours out of your day. Fun for the Entire Family Golf isn’t just for businessmen. Anyone can find enjoyment in the game. It can be a great weekend activity for the entire family or the perfect bonding experience between relatives. There are par 3 courses across the country that offer an easier experience for new golfers, and you can always play nine holes instead of 18 to cut down on time and conserve energy.

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