As the year wraps up, we encourage you to reflect…

Are you happy? Are you living a life with joy in your heart? Are you grateful for your life?

We hope all KTSD Parent Graduates are! Your life may not be following the path you had planned, but being grateful and having joy is possible for everyone!

This year, we grounded ourselves with the concept of gratitude– being thankful, making what we have enough, and finding the good in situations – and how this mindset makes a difference. As the year comes to a close, we expect and hope for more beautiful things to come. 

If your answer was yes to the questions, that choice brings happiness to your children and to KTSD. When you choose happiness, your children choose happiness, they overcome obstacles and challenges, effectively problem-solve and they tend to be responsive instead of reactive. Your children will grow up and have bright futures ahead 🙂

If your answer was no, bright futures are possible for your children too, but, you may need to do some work. In her University of Virginia’s Commencement speech, Rita Dove said, “Some things… I wish I could have heard, if I’d had sense enough to listen.” We invite you to  truly listen to the message by asking yourself the following questions:

• Am I in my own way of my happiness?
• Am I overly focused on MY children being with ME instead of remembering that MY children have two parents and they are OUR CHILDREN?
• Are there others in my ears telling me what to do and I’m listening even though these actions are keeping me stuck?
• What am I holding out for, one extra custody day, an extra holiday, a birthday, child support?
• What is keeping me stuck and engaged in a way that I do not want, but I stay committed to, no matter what?
• When we were together, I was miserable. We are no longer together, so why do I continue to be miserable?

If you answered no, for the remainder of 2024, no matter where your children are, we invite you to invest in yourself. KTSD Parent Graduates – review your program workbooks, join a Continue the Conversation class (next class 12/19 at 6pm), grieve, journal, request a Graduate Session, do whatever it takes. Sometimes the hardest pathway is the one best for you, your family, and your community. Opportunities knock and we are knocking! Open yourself up to change and growth and next year will include joy, gratitude, and strength!

For those who answered yes, you know divorce and healing is a journey. You have followed your path and crossed your unique bridge. Your journey may have been long and creaky, but you crossed the bridge and got to the other side. Your current path may still be challenging but you got this! Hold onto patience for every bridge you have yet to cross and gratitude for those in your life. Wisdom is a beautiful thing to share, so if you’d like, please share with us what helped you and we will pass it to others. 

Kids’ Turn San Diego sits in gratitude for the honor of being a part of so many families’ journeys to peace, joy, and gratitude. We are always here for you and your family! 

We wish you a holiday season filled with joy and gratitude. HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the KTSD Family!