I was divorced very soon after my daughter was born. I never imagined that would be my life, and that I would be any where near the situations I've faced since. But, that is my truth. Its taken me about 4 or 5 years to really look at everything with an open mind. I was finally able to let my heart open back up and let forgiveness take over.

My Ex husband got re-married this year, and it made me think about so many things. Mostly I just wanted my daughter to be loved, cherished and happy. I want her to have the most love possible and to have good relationships. So I reached out, I asked for him to help me. Not in a financial sense, he fulfils that obligation, but in an emotional way. I talked to his new wife and I invited her to be a real part of my daughters life. She is her step-mom, she's part of her family now. The more people that love my daughter, the better her life will be. Who am I to take away love from her? I have no doubt that she will love her unconditionally, her actions and words speak loudly. It truly takes a village to raise your children. The more experiences and diversity we can give them will only allow them to grow to be bigger and better future adult people.

I think the number one mistake we can make as parents, is allowing our selves to be selfish. We say we are doing what's best for our kids, but in reality I see so many women who literally give their ex husbands hell. That go above and beyond to make them miserable and their lives difficult. They use their children as a pawn in their games.

It literally infuriates me when I see this. You are not just hurting your Ex, your hurting your children. Regardless of financial ability, kids need both of their parents. They need positive relationships, and its not for us to tell our kids one of their parents isn't a good person. In fact, that should never happen.

Kids figure things out over time, and if the other parent is really terrible... they will get it eventually. But for you to say bad things about the other parent in front of your children... that is terrible and disgusting. To influence a negative relationship intentionally, is one of the most despicable acts.

This insane double standard needs to go. Your children are suffering because of pride, and ignorance.

Co-Parenting is not one parent dictating the other parent. Its talking, and discussing, and really taking each others opinions into consideration. Its accepting their ideas and views and coming to a compromise and to a solution. It's allowing the other parent to take some of the responsibility of making decisions instead of letting that weight fall solely on you.

When I accepted things, and I gave away some of that weight back to my ex-husband... it was like 10 years of sadness lifted away from me. I felt such a relief in knowing that, I wasn't alone in this. I am truly happy for how we communicate to raise our baby girl.

I think about what would have happened if I chose to be bitter and angry and hold on to all that resentment for the rest of my life. What would that do to my daughter, what would that do to me?

I don't want to live in the shadow of my divorce. I don't want to be sad and miserable.

Its like I always say, though... we choose to be happy.

I have chosen to be happy... I am thankful everyday for the new relationship that he and I have created to raise our daughter, I am thankful for my new relationship with his wife to also be a part of that. We are truly lucky, and we have such an amazing little person to raise together.