A friend of a friend, who’s a single parent, has just taken the plunge and, for the first time since her husband died three-and-a-half years ago, booked a summer holiday abroad for her and her two young children. It was a brave step, not least because she was worried about being the only single mum on the beach, surrounded by happy families.   more »

At Christmas, did you feel you had to go through the “isn’t it fantastic?” routine for the sake of the children, even if what you actually felt like doing was hiding under the duvet for a couple of weeks?   more »

I feel terribly happy most of the time: I love life. But my contentment has been hard-won. My marriage to a Spanish footballer broke down following the death of our young daughter.   more »

A study carried out by researchers at Cornell University, New York State, found that youngsters whose parents regularly argue are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs and binge drink. They are also more likely to have children early and outside marriage, as well as experience the failure of their own relationship.   more »

The Press has devoted many column inches to the apparent end of the marriage of singer Peter Andre and model Katie Price, aka Jordan – a relationship born and played out in the glare of publicity. The media spotlight has also fallen on their three children.   more »

More than a million grandchildren are not allowed to see their grandparents, according to a new report by the Grandparents’ Association.   more »

The opening up of family courts across England and Wales to the media – as part of a government bid to boost public confidence in the system – has prompted concern that people’s privacy may be compromised.   more »

Journalists were allowed into family courts in England and Wales for the first time last month as part of a government bid to boost public confidence in the previously “behind closed doors” system.   more »

The start of the school summer term and for many teenagers it will be their last. Once it’s over and their exams are out of the way, they’ll be off to university or on a gap year abroad. Exciting prospects for them – but a gloomy one for parents who dread their “babies” flying the nest.   more »

How children cope with their parents’ divorce is, to a great extent, down to how the adults handle the situation. Resolution – formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association – has launched an initiative called Parenting after Parting to provide advice and support for separating and divorcing couples. As well as organising workshops around the country....   more »

I have been an active member of Resolution – formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association – for more than 20 years and during this past year the organisation has been celebrating its 25th anniversary by turning the spotlight on to children.   more »

Whether this year is your first or your umpteenth Christmas as a divorced or separated parent, you may be viewing it with trepidation.   more »

A study by the Oxford Centre for Family Law and Policy (OCFLP) has found that the perception that fathers are treated unfairly by the divorce courts is wrong. The family justice system is not biased against non-residential parents, it concludes.   more »

Sir John Major's former daughter-in-law, Emma Noble, claims the former prime minister and his wife have little involvement in the life of her autistic son, Harry.   more »

Summer is often a time for major family events, such as weddings and graduation days, but celebrations can be marred – even ruined – if divorced or separated parents are unable to put their differences aside for the occasion.   more »

The school summer holidays are finally here. Great news for happy families who can’t wait to spend some quality time together, building sandcastles on Cornish beaches or exploring the antiquities of ancient Greece. Not-so-great news, though, for fractured families who may be dreading the next few weeks, viewing it more as an ordeal than a jolly, carefree time.   more »

The Government has pledged to take action to stem the surge in knife crime that has claimed the lives of more than 20 teenagers in London alone this year, including forcing youngsters caught carrying knives to visit stabbing victims in hospital.   more »

You may not yet be feeling the effects of the credit crunch too badly, but according to a Chambers of Commerce report, full-blown recession is only months away and almost everyone will have to tighten their purse strings.   more »

The BBC’s Newsround programme came in for criticism this week over its coverage of the tragic death of popular children’s TV presenter Mark Speight. Some parents were angry at the in-depth reporting, saying their youngsters had been left in tears.   more »

The tragedy of BBC Radio 3 presenter Andy Kershaw’s much-publicised downfall highlights, in the most painful way, the effect an acrimonious separation can have on children.   more »

The “war of the Tarrants” has taken a distinctly un-Festive turn with the newly divorced celebrity couple apparently coming to blows over who will see the kids at Christmas.   more »

It’s still five weeks away, but already it seems that Christmas is upon us. The shops are groaning with goodies and magazines and TV adverts are awash with gift ideas – many of which cost an arm and a leg.   more »

When couples with dependent children divorce, the legal process may be driven as much by contact issues as by money.   more »

For many couples, how their divorce will affect the children is the biggest concern they have and they do all in their power to make sure the kids suffer as little as possible.   more »

You've had your summer holiday with the kids and, for you, that's it for another year. They, on the other hand, are getting excited all over again because they've another holiday to look forward to – with your ex.   more »

If your child completed their degree this summer, you will no doubt be preparing for Graduation Day - a celebratory occasion when all the hard work your son or daughter has put in over the past three-plus years is rewarded with a formal cap-and-gown ceremony in the university’s Great Hall.   more »

Coming to terms with your ex finding new love is difficult enough; learning they are to have a baby can test even the most understanding former spouse’s munificence to the limit.   more »

When parents divorce, their biggest concern is usually their children.   more »

A disturbing picture of the state of our young people’s mental health emerged this week: According to the NSPCC phone service ChildLine, soaring numbers of schoolgirls say they are contemplating suicide to escape their problems.   more »

Christmas can be a stressful time even for happy families, but for fragmented ones it is often little short of a nightmare.   more »

For parents whose marriage is disintegrating, the biggest worry ought to be how this will affect the children.   more »