With your divorce, a parenting plan will be put in to place that will let you get on with the business of living and still ensure you can see your children on a regular basis. One of the biggest sticking points we see in family law in Florida is sharing special events. Yet deciding on visitation schedules and coordinating the transfer of your children from one parent to another doesn't have to be a painful experience or one that leaves you emotionally wrecked - it can be something that reinforces the best parts of your relationship with your children and your strengths as a parent.

Here are several tips to help guide you as you make your plans:

Let's face it. Whether you are the one who initiated your divorce, or you are at the receiving end, divorce is tough. Even when the previous marriage has been a rough road to travel, it can be extremely difficult to get over the fact that the relationship is truly over. Sadly enough, even as you begin to feel the pressures of starting over, and depression begins to wedge its way into your life, you must remember that you are not the only one this transition is affecting. If children have been involved, they stand a very strong chance of suffering from depression as well. All is not lost, however. There are steps you can take to not only help yourself get through these trying times, but to assist other family members as well.

Since kids are still growing, they need nutritious lunches to help them develop and grow strong. However, when you're considering a divorce, divorced or are in the process of searching for a child custody attorney in Florida, you might not have time to spend hours preparing meals. Packing healthy lunches is simpler than you think. Here are 10 easy ideas for school lunch to help you and your kids get out of the door in time.

1. Pasta salad
This lunch is simple to make after having leftover pasta from dinner. Spoon a couple of scoops into your child's lunch container, add cheese and sliced salami for some calcium and protein. You could also add sauces and salad dressings or sprinkle seasonings like oregano to make the pasta salad more flavorful.

2. Turkey and cheese wraps 
Taking just a few minutes to prepare, wraps are both quick to make and versatile enough to please your pickiest eaters. To make a turkey wrap, start with a flour tortilla. Add a couple of turkey slices and layers of lettuce and cheese and then roll up the wrap. Substitute turkey with ham or other proteins and add on other vegetables like tomato or avocado for a healthier lunch. 

3. Macaroni and cheese
Mac and cheese is a classic and it's simple to cook the night before from scratch. Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the package. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and stir in 1/4 cup flour. Gradually add 2 cups of milk while continuing to stir the milk until bubbly. Stir in the cheese until it's melted and combine the cheese mixture and macaroni together.

4. Barbeque chicken sandwiches
BBQ chicken sandwiches don't require a ton of prep time when you buy a rotisserie chicken, which can be used to create lunches and dinners throughout the week. Slice off a couple of large pieces of chicken and shred the chicken meat using two forks. Toss the shredded chicken with barbeque sauce and then place a hamburger bun next to it.

5. Cheese quesadillas
Similar to a grilled cheese sandwich, quesadillas are made by melting cheese between two tortillas. Heat a skillet on medium heat and place in a flour tortilla. Cover the tortilla with shredded cheese (such as pepper jack or cheddar). Wait for a few minutes until the cheese starts to melt and add fillings: cooked chicken, avocado, and more. Sprinkle more cheese and top the quesadilla with another tortilla. Press down using a spatula and then flip it over to melt the cheese on the other side of the quesadilla.

6. Tacos
Start by cooking 1 pound of lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the beef occasionally until brown. Drain the juices from skillet. Stir in salsa into the cooked beef and heat until boiling. Stir and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes while stirring. Place the beef inside the lunch container and put some taco cheese mix and lettuce into a separate plastic bag. 

7. Tuna salad sandwich
As another classic staple for lunch, a tuna salad sandwich lets you combine all ingredients into a bowl for an easy clean-up. Start with tuna inside a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, chopped celery and red onion into the bowl and stir until combined well. You could remove the red onion and any other ingredients you think your child won't eat. 

8. Apples and dipping sauces
Kids love to dip their food in different sauces, which can allow them to make more nutritious choices. Instead of giving kids a snack cake or brownie for dessert, give them a healthier alternative: apples. Make apples tastier with a small serving of caramel dip or some spoonfuls of peanut butter.

9. Yogurt parfait
Yogurt is great for kids because it contains protein and calcium. Wash and slice some fruits you think your kids will like, such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Begin making the parfait by adding a few spoonfuls of yogurt. Greek-style yogurt has more calcium than regular yogurt and is also creamier for a delicious parfait. Layer the fruits onto the yogurt and add some more spoonfuls of yogurt.

10. Fettucine alfredo
As a cheap lunch, you can make fettucine alfredo. Start by preparing the fettucine according to the package directions. Remove from heat and drain the noodles. Heat the alfredo sauce in a sauce pan until heated through and add the fettucine and mix until the pasta is covered. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For more information regarding a potential child custody attorney in Florida, contact Kenny Leigh and Associates. This professional family law firm serves Northeast Florida and South Florida with five offices: Jacksonville, Gainesville, Fleming Island, Daytona and Boca Raton.

Going through a divorce isn't easy. Once you start back into the dating world, you may meet someone who has children. Later down the line, these children become your stepchildren. This is a very special relationship and takes some patience, understanding and a lot of love. These helpful do’s of being a step day can assist you greatly.

1. Do Spend Time Doing What They Like
They may want their biological father at their sporting events, but that doesn't mean they don't want you there, too. Go to their baseball games and dance recitals. If they like to go bowling, why not plan a Saturday family bowling day? The zoo is fun for everyone. The important thing is making an effort to have fun with them. The more active you are in spending time with them, the more they will warm up to you. Don't hesitate to invite them to spend time doing what you love, whether it be fishing, biking or tennis.

2. Do Open up the Line of Communication
Your new stepchildren might be hesitant to accept you in their lives. That doesn't mean you give up, instead approach them. Let them know you're here to listen and to advise when they need it. Let them know you care about them and how they're feeling.

3. Do Respect their Mother's Wishes
If their mother thinks eating chocolate before dinner and staying up past 9 on a school night are acceptable, you have to respect her wishes, even if she's only trying to keep up with what the other parents are doing. Don't undermine her authority. If you do have concerns, you should express them to her only when the children aren't around. Never tell the children they can do something just to be the "cool" step dad. While you might be scoring brownie points with the kids, your relationship with their mother may suffer because of it.

4. Do Be a Dad
Do act like a father to the children. Treat them like you would/do treat your own children; never insist they call you dad though. They probably already have a father, who they love, so don't step on his toes. There may come a time when they call you dad, but don't expect it to happen right away or force it upon them. To be a dad, you should help them with their homework and teach them new skills. You should inquire about their day and take an interest in their schooling.

5. Do Respect Their Privacy
If you have kids of your own, you may have dealt with the fact that preteens and teenagers need their space. If not, here's the time to learn about boundaries and respect. Don't enter their rooms without knocking and don't listen in on their telephone calls. If you want step children who resent you – or if you really want to hear the dreaded "You're not my real dad," – overstepping boundaries will surely accomplish this.  

6. Do Set a Good Example
You're a vital person in the children's lives now. They look up to you. Make sure you give them something worth looking up to. For instance, don't partake in negative behaviors such as recreational drugs, obsessive gambling or binge drinking. If you smoke, do it outside. Watch your language around younger children who may repeat profanities or foul language.

Being a step parent isn't easy, but keep in mind that being a stepchild isn't always easy either. By being a good role model, someone they can talk to and by taking the time to get to know them, you can become a great step dad.

Regrettably, the stress of military marriages will far outweigh regular marriages, and in most cases the circumstances and pressures will lead to divorce. If this is your only option, it’s vital that you hire legal counsel that understands all the rules regarding a military divorce. Several of the issues that exist in civilian divorces, like division of debts and assets, alimony, and child support-related issues will exist in military cases as well.