Celebrating My Daughter's 17th Birthday

Seventeen years ago, I was blessed to become a mom for the first time when my beautiful daughter was born. It seems like only yesterday that I was rocking her to sleep and now she's a beautiful young lady celebrating her 17th birthday. Time really does fly!

In honor of my daughter's birthday, I wanted to share seventeen of the most important lessons I've learned since becoming a parent. These are lessons that I hope will stay with her long into adulthood.

1. Being a parent is the hardest job you'll ever have—but it's also the most rewarding.

2. You'll make mistakes—but your children will forgive you because they know you're doing your best.

3. Sometimes, all your child needs is a hug.

4. Children grow up too fast—enjoy every minute while you can.

5. You'll never be grateful for a good night's sleep until you don't get one.

6. Patience is a virtue—especially when dealing with children!

7. A sense of humor goes a long way when parenting—you'll need it to get through the tough times.

8. Your child will always be your baby—no matter how old they get.

9. You'll never be alone as long as you have your children by your side.

10. Your child will teach you as much as you teach them—if not more!

11. No matter what, always tell your children that you love them—they need to hear it from you.

12. There will be days when you feel like you're failing as a parent—but those days will pass.

13. Being a parent means sacrificing your own wants and needs for your child's—but it's worth it in the end.

14. No two children are alike—and that's okay! Embrace their differences and help them to grow into their own unique selves.

15. Always be there for your children when they need you—they'll remember it when they're grown up and dealing with their own children one day.

16. Getting angry won't solve anything—try to stay calm and collected, even in the most trying of situations.

17. Parenting isn't easy, but it's definitely worth it. Seeing my daughter grow up into an amazing young woman has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I'm so proud of the person she has become and I can't wait to see all the wonderful things she'll do in the future. Thanks for reading and happy birthday, Djassi!

Take care,

Lakisha

Grieving: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

At this time of the year as the leaves are falling and the season is changing, I always feel a slight sense of loss and a little sadness. Fall has always reminded me of having to go back to school and leave the comfort of my home. I have come to realize that this is a form of grief that is pretty normal.

Grieving is a process that is as unique as the individual experiencing it. There is no one right or wrong way to grieve, and often, the process looks different for each person. Some may find themselves withdrawing from social activities and others may seek out support groups. Some may cry often while others may feel numb. There is no one way to grieve, and that is okay.

The Good One of the good things about grief is that it is a natural process that allows us to come to terms with our loss. Grief can be a powerful motivator for change and growth. It can help us to appreciate life more fully and can motivate us to make positive changes in our lives.

The overall experience of grief does not have to be bad. We can experience grief and gratitude at the same time. Parents, think about how it feels when you have to drop your children off at daycare for the first time or drop them off at college. While we celebrate the milestones, we grieve the loss of our children’s tender years.

The Bad Grief can also be a very painful experience. It can be overwhelming and confusing. Grief can cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and upset stomach. It can lead to sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.

The Ugly Grief can sometimes lead us to do things that we would not normally do. We may say things that we later regret or behave in ways that are out of character for us. This is because when we are grieving, we are not thinking clearly. We may make impulsive decisions or lash out at those around us.

Oftentimes, when my clients are going through a divorce, they experience various levels of grief. This often manifests itself in heated arguments and rash decisions that they may regret later. Therefore, I strongly advise my clients to seek as much therapeutic support as they can when going through this process.

Take care,

Lakisha

Hold Up, Wait a Minute…

No one ever said that going through a divorce or child custody battle was going to be easy. In fact, it's likely one of the hardest things you'll ever have to go through. And if you're currently in the midst of a family court matter, you probably know just how true that is.

Dealing with the legal system can be frustrating, time-consuming, and exhausting. It's easy to lose sight of the big picture when you're bogged down in the details. But it's important to remember that good things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue for a reason, and that's especially true when it comes to dealing with a family court matter.

If there's one thing you need to know about the legal system, it's that it moves slow. Very slow. So slow, in fact, that it can often feel like it's not moving at all. And when you're in the midst of a divorce or child custody battle, that feeling can be even stronger. Trust me when I say that I know how difficult it is to be patient when you feel like your life is on hold. I have several of my clients who are experiencing this right now. But the truth is, rushing through the legal process is only going to make things worse.

We know it's hard to believe, but good things really do come to those who wait—especially when it comes to family law matters. Rushing through the process will only lead to mistakes being made and important details being overlooked. If you want what's best for your case, then you need to be patient and let things play out as they're supposed to.

Every single detail matters in my cases—no matter how small it may seem at the time. That's why patience is so important; rushing through things can cause important details to be missed, which could potentially have a negative impact on your case later down the road.

No one ever said that going through this was going to be easy. If you have been my client, you know that I always say “it gets bitter before it gets better”—but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Dealing with the legal system can be frustrating, but it's important to remember that good things come to those who wait. Patience really is a virtue when it comes to these types of cases, so try your best to remain calm and let things play out as they're supposed to.

Take care,

Lakisha.