Thursday, January 17, 2008

A little court-ordered fun

Yesterday I went to a court-ordered co-parenting class with my soon-to-be ex-husband. And lest you suspect otherwise, it was actually quite pleasant. Like taking a nice warm bath. With a blow-dryer.

For those of you unfamiliar with divorce in the state of Idaho (May you always stay that way, amen.) all couples with children who are getting divorced are required to attend this co-parenting class. Not only that but you are scheduled to take this class together. So imagine, if you will, a room full of divorcing couples. And not just a room, but a courtroom full of divorcing couples (because apparently, the classroom they use for traffic school is unavailable). Needless to say there was nary a warm-fuzzy in that place.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start with registration because you must first stand in line to pay for this court-ordered co-parenting class. That’s when amidst the giggles issuing forth from the conversation behind us I heard the most unusual pickup line ever:

“Is this your first time taking this class?”

The couple was obviously not familiar enough with one another to be getting divorced. The only alternative was they were flirting in the registration line. I have just one thing to say about that: Ew.

Okay, back to the class. Let me just say if that class had a prom, the ex and I would have been voted King and Queen. Not because we were the most attractive couple in the room, but we seemed to get along the best. We sat together and everything. I know; we’re fabulous. But honestly, how tough could the competition be? At break there was an argument between a couple because one had opted to sit apart from the other. After which one soon-to-be ex-spouse gave a passionate monologue about the ridiculous nature of a co-parenting class in which the couples are required to attend together.

Can’t we just all get along?

So you can see, it wasn’t that bad. Add to that the video where Carl Malone gave parenting advice and you have an evening totally worth the $35 registration fee. That and the ex and I are feeling pretty good about ourselves right now.

All things considered, does that mean we passed?

21 comments:

Suburban Correspondent said...

Surreal....

Anonymous said...

Carl is spelled with a K....Karl....

shauna said...

Thanks, anonymous. Just goes to show how much I like Carl. Uhm, Karl, I mean...

Tola said...

i like how "anonymous" had ballz enough to reveal his/her identity. BTW, even though i proofread some of your stuff in college, "anonymous" is NOT me!

Anonymous said...

Karl who? Loved your post Shauna. I remember that parenting class. Fortunately we weren't required to go together since he was in California and I would have probably committed a felony and been in big trouble had he come. All in all you and Rich are doing much better than I did. :-) Kudos to you both!

Mary

Karen said...

The only Karl I know is Karl Marx. And even then, I don't know him personally. ;)

Sounds like an interesting class. Kudos to the two of you for being sane and calm. After all, this class wasn't about the two of you, it was about doing what's good for the kids.

(hugs)

Anonymous said...

Passed with all the colors in a rainbow, even if it's just an imaginary one. Acting like friends is usually good enough for my vote.

Spammon said...

You know, taking a bath in any temp water with a hair dryer = instant electric death. And you didn't specify the ladies answer to "Is this your first time taking this class?" It would be great if she said it was her 10th.

Also, Karl Malone always has awesome advice. Just check out his thoughts on aliens.

shauna said...

Spammon, this post wasn't that great--until you included the YouTube link. Now it rocks (if I do say so myself).

At the time of the parenting class, I have to admit instant electric death was appealing. It was not a good time.

erin said...

How stupid is it that they say you HAVE to do this oh yeah and by the way you have to pay to do this? Jason had a training at one of his jobs and it was mandatory but he had to fork over the cash to do it. Glad you aren't dead (from the class) and you got some laughs.
The kids want to see you guys soooooo bad. Maybe we could pick a weekend...Jason and I want to take pics of the kids at the park where we took our engagement pics. Maybe in a couple of weeks?

Karen said...

Hey, there's something for you over on my blog. :)

Anonymous said...

Sorry that the state made you do this...the person who made that rule must not have kids and certainly had not gone through a divorce. A bit insulting really. I am glad you did what you had to do, and now it is just a memory. You owe yourself, to do something really fun this weekend!!
XOXOX

Carrie Wilson Link said...

THAT would make a good reality TV show!

shauna said...

Carrie, I do believe that is a million-dollar idea. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet... :)

Candygirlflies said...

Hi, Shauna-- Yay, you guys! I say the class was worth every penny of the money, just to prove to you and your ex just how WELL you are both actually doing.

I know that this period in your life has been excruciatingly difficult... but isn't it great to realize that you're clearly trying harder, and have a more cordial relationship, than most divorcing couples?

Congratulations to both of you. Your children will admire and thank you for all of your efforts, till the end of their days.

xo CGF

karla said...

“Is this your first time taking this class?”

That is pretty funny!

GustoBones said...

Who cares how Karl Malone spells his name. Sounds like you guys were the best couple there. You are so smart to recognize that your soon to be ex will always be in you life through your kids and it is best to work together on their behalf. I am sure you are glad that class is over though!!

lindsey said...

Karl Malone always refers to himself in the third person... did he do that in the video?

Ei said...

Congrats on surviving THE CLASS. Thankfully in Iowa we can take online classes and stay far apart from each other.

Be careful how perfectly you handle everything. Sometimes making a mistake is mandatory in this crazy process. And also, when it happens it can feel pretty good.

MadMad said...

Whoa - I can imagine this as the setting for a sit-com! Hysterical! Hey, thanks for coming by my blog - I was glad to get a chance to come back to yours; it's great!

Melodrama Mama said...

Karl Malone? What? I am sure that he was researched as an expert. It says a lot about you that deal with with D in such an adult way. Your kids are lucky.