Divorce, children, gifts and guilt

It's wonderful to see kids' joy when they receive gifts. And it's a lot of fun to watch them play. It's so much fun, in fact, that some divorced parents overdo it. When life is grim, giving gifts can become a shortcut to get to see your kids smile.

Toys are not a substitute for love. Toys should not be given to alleviate your guilt.

If you see yourself doing either of these... don't berate yourself for it. Just take it as a sign that you have to pay more attention to your children's emotional needs.

As you do so, and as you gain more freedom from guilt, you will see that the pleasure of giving is actually enhanced.

See also: divorce with integrity