Law Office of Kevin Jensen - July 2020

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - July 2020

July 2020 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

I Wasn’tMeant for Ranching

What I Learned at My First Job on Grandpa’s Ranch

T he end of the school year was always the greatest feeling. Growing up in Wyoming, when that final bell rang around noon on that last day of school, I was finally free to spend my summer roaming the fields, shooting soda cans, and playing on our family’s small cattle ranch. But by junior high school, the reality of what summer really meant for a ranch kid sunk in: It was time for work. My grandfather owned a small ranch in Wyoming on the same property his grandfather before him used to ranch. Back then, it was much larger, but my great grandfather gave all of his property to his five sons when he died, leaving them each an equal part of the ranch. By the time my grandpa was working the land, it was a modest ranch, but that didn’t mean we worked any less.

to put into it, we still found ways to have fun. Plus, Grandpa was always sure to give us “a little spending money” for our efforts. My uncle — who’s more like a brother to me, since he and I are the same age — and I would often take our guns with us whenever we were fixing the fence or moving the water and shoot cans. We rode horses, went fishing, and explored the land. There was never a dull moment! When your yard is acres long, there’s no shortage of what you can do as a kid. It was the best place to grow up.

“If you want to experience real freedom, then try driving a tractor across wide-open land.”

Looking back, I miss the days of backbreaking, sweaty work on the ranch. Today, I sit behind a desk all day, and

I know my boys have never experienced work quite like that in their lives. I do believe they are hard workers, but ranchers are some of the hardest working, strongest people I’ve known. My grandpa could lift 80-pound hay bales well into his old age — right up until he died, actually. He was the strongest person I knew, and he put so much of himself and his life into that land and those cows. Despite the dread I felt some mornings waking up on the ranch, I look back on my childhood and I can’t help but smile. There was hard work, but it was also filled with many great memories that I still enjoy to this day and that taught me two of the greatest lessons in life: the value of hard work and that I was not cut out to be a rancher.

Even as a little kid, I was expected to work hard. I can remember the dread of hearing my grandpa say we had to go repair a fence or that the irrigation needed fixing. We didn’t live on a ranch with a sprinkler system, so this meant we were moving water from one ditch to the next all summer long. We were also expected to milk the cows and tend to their needs, and in August, we spent a few days haying. Those were always my favorite chores. If you want to experience real freedom, then try driving a tractor across wide- open land. Of course, we only enjoyed a few moments of glory before an adult would kick us off to do the harder labor. We were usually up each summer day by 7 a.m. and worked through midafternoon. There were days when it was really hard work and it didn’t really feel like a summer vacation, but for as much effort as we were expected

Still, I wouldn’t change a thing about growing up on Grandpa’s ranch.

-Kevin Jensen

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Don’t Let Fancy Labels Fool You

L ately, it seems like the word “natural” has been slapped on products as readily as candy is passed out on Halloween. But what does natural even mean? It could be just about anything because there’s no regulation on the use of the word. So-called natural products may include asthma-inducing chemicals or plant-based ingredients that can cause severe reactions. But reading the list of ingredients may cause confusion as well. How do you know which ingredients are safe for you and your family? For sunscreen, one of the most important summertime products, the research nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has done the work for you. Here are some suggestions. Words to Be Wary Of Read ingredient labels carefully when you’re choosing products. In addition to long chemical names and “natural” printed all over the labels, “fragrance” is another that has almost no regulation. Many “fragrant” scents in lotions and sunscreens are synthetic and can trigger allergies.

KNOW WHICH COMMON SUNSCREEN INGREDIENTS MAY BE HARMFUL

Oxybenzone is another commonly listed ingredient in sunscreen that has been linked to hormone disruption and allergies and has been flagged as potentially risky by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Along with octinoxate, an ultraviolet-filtering chemical, oxybenzone has also been shown to cause damage to coral reefs. What to Choose After several yearslong studies, the FDA reported that there’s only enough information to deem two sunscreen ingredients safe and effective: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Look for brands that feature one or both of these as the main active ingredient(s) and avoid those with oxybenzone. Covering up with a hat, sunglasses, and clothing is also an effective way to protect yourself from the sun. Companies use complex words to mask potentially harmful ingredients, but don’t let them stump you. A quick Google search can often reveal what these words mean. For details on specific ingredients, check EWG. org, which lists and scores products and ingredients based on their health and environmental risks. Their site also provides downloadable sunscreen guides to help you shop smarter and safer.

How Do You Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday After a Divorce? Just as Special

You and your former spouse may not agree on a lot, but there may be one thing you will always have in common: your love for your kids. Splitting the time you spend with your child with your former partner can be difficult, especially around the holidays, summer vacation, and birthdays, but for many couples, birthdays are the biggest point of contention.

then set up a rotating schedule. Next year may be your opportunity to throw your 13-year-old a party, while your ex-spouse may have your child on the day they turn 16. Either way, you both have a chance to celebrate the big day.

However, determining who your child spends their birthday with can be solved by finding common ground and empathy.

Celebrate Together

Keep Some Perspective

If you and your partner are civil, then opt to create a schedule that allows each of you to see

Yes, your child’s birthday might be the day they came into the world, but it isn’t the only day you can celebrate them. There isn’t a child in the world who wouldn’t want multiple birthdays! If you cannot celebrate with your son or daughter on their birthday, then make the next time you see them just as special. Take them to their favorite place, prepare their favorite foods, and use the entire day to honor their birthday. They will still enjoy it!

your child on their special day. Whether that looks like splitting up the day, going to dinner together, or co-hosting a party, it is possible to celebrate your child together. Find a solution that’s going to work best for your former spouse, you, and the child, and remember to maintain good communication to keep the process working. Ultimately, the focus of your child’s birthday should be on them, but if you and your former spouse are struggling with how to celebrate your little one’s birthday or other special days, then our team at the Law Office of Kevin Jensen can help you find a solution. Call us at 480.632.7373.

Create a Schedule

You may not have a chance to celebrate with your child on their birthday this year, but it doesn’t always have to be this way. If your spouse is open to it,

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Co-Parenting in a Crisis

What You Need to Know

other conditions of your divorce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders have made following custody agreements particularly precarious. However, parents were encouraged to use their best judgment on the best way to transport their children to their other parent’s house because most states will honor court orders as a reason for travel. If one parent is concerned about the health or safety of their child at the other parent’s home, then the parents must have an honest discussion about the best way to proceed. With COVID-19 as an example, parents may be concerned about bringing their child into the home of a health care worker. In these cases, if both sides agree, then it’s understandable to make a decision that’s going to be best for the child’s safety. However, it may not be that simple. Parents can get emotional and refuse to budge on their agreements. Ultimately, you must follow court orders, but you should talk with your attorney or ask a mediator for help, too. They can help you find a solution that’s going to satisfy all parties while keeping your child safe. If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that unprecedented times happen, and the way we manage them can set the foundation for the future of our relationships. Be open, mindful, and honest about what your child or ex-partner needs during these times, and if you have a question about how pandemics or crises will affect your divorce, then contact our office today.

This spring’s COVID-19 pandemic brought our country to a screeching halt,

had workers commuting to their home office, and moved classrooms online. This meant families had to adjust their schedules while trying to stay as healthy as possible, but for some divorced families, it wasn’t that simple. Navigating co-parenting during a crisis is vastly different than co-parenting during “normal times.” It’s important that both parents understand this and work together in an effort to support what is best for their child. Open, honest communication and developing a plan that works for the health, safety, and mental well- being of the child is the best way to approach similar crises in the future. However, a crisis, pandemic, or other circumstances are not excuses to violate court orders, such as child custody agreements, alimony payments, and

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com Breakfast Sausage Kebabs

LAUGH BREAK

This simple recipe can make any breakfast a little more fun. We recommend pairing your kebabs with your favorite kind of eggs.

Ingredients

• Maple syrup, to taste EQUIPMENT • 5 metal or soaked wooden kebab skewers

• 7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed • 20 oz pineapple chunks, drained • 10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms • 2 tbsp butter, melted

Directions 1. Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausages halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. 2. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

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Working Hard and Creating Memories on Grandpa’s Ranch

Shop Smarter With Information About Your Sunscreen

Who Should Your Child Spend Their Next Birthday With?

How to Co-Parent Successfully in a Crisis

3 Ways to Replace a Canceled Vacation Turn Your Vacation Into a Staycation Vacations provide opportunities for families to spend time together in a relaxed environment, get away from the routines of everyday life, and create meaningful memories. If you’ve recently had to cancel a trip but still want to create the experience of a vacation for your family, then a staycation is just what you need. Transform Your Backyard When you’re trying to recreate a vacation, the outdoor areas of your home present a variety of possibilities. You can turn a sandbox into a relaxing beach, complete with a kiddie pool “ocean.” If you have trees, then set up a zip line or obstacle course. You can even stimulate summer brains with a scavenger hunt around the backyard with hidden clues in the dirt or bushes. The ultimate prize can be something you would have purchased on your original vacation, like a souvenir you can find online. Create a ‘Family Museum’ Many vacations include an educational aspect in order to enrich our understanding of the place we’re visiting, and museums are a great way to accomplish that. If you’re confined to the house, then teach your kids about your own knowledge and interests and encourage them to get creative and make their own contributions,

too. Have everyone create art, take photos, or write about their prized possessions. Display these masterpieces around your home and let their creators take you on a tour. Learning more about one another builds meaningful bonds. Bring Your Trip Home You probably chose your original vacation destination in order to experience new and different cultures and activities. But just because you’re no longer traveling to that location doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of what it has to offer! Research popular local cuisine, activities, and history of the area, then create ways to experience them with your family. Cook a traditional meal, recreate a scenic location through photographs, or share a story about local lore and history. Your changed plans will no longer feel like a missed opportunity.

Staying at home doesn’t mean your family can’t have the fun of a vacation. All it takes is a little creativity and innovation to build an experience that will bring your family closer together.

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