LIFE AFTER + 1

With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend here in Australia, as well as in a number of other countries like New Zealand, Canada, and the US, I wanted to touch on something that can feel a little tricky when you’re co-parenting, and working out what the “right” thing to do is when it comes to gift giving. And this doesn’t just apply to Mother’s Day. It applies to Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, any occasion where your child might want to give something to the other parent

Co-parenting is hard enough as it is. But co-parenting with someone who constantly twists the narrative, avoids accountability, and makes you question yourself? That’s a completely different level. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling confused, blamed, or like somehow everything has been turned back on you, you’re not imagining it. There are patterns in what gets said. And once you start noticing them, it becomes a lot easier to separate what’s actually true

Co-parenting isn’t always easy. In fact, for many single parents, it can be one of the most emotionally draining parts of life after a breakup. You’re trying to raise your children, create stability, and move forward, all while staying connected to someone who is constantly trying to make your life difficult. And the truth is, co-parenting doesn’t always look like two people working together seamlessly. Sometimes it looks like setting boundaries, managing conflict, and learni