<p>Well actually as of now my parents are divorced. I've known that they were going to get a divorce because they've been talking about it for the past 3 years (well, mainly my mother). Now the reality has really set in. My father has to move out by Feb. 1, and I just found this out two days ago, even though he had known about the decision for a while at least a month. My parents divorce is not an amicable one. My father unforunately has a drinking problem, which also led to the divorce. I am also worried about money. My mother makes about $150,000-175,000 a year, whereas my dad only makes about approximately $95,000 a year. Now, I know must of you are going to think i'm a spoiled rich brat but i'm really not. I live in NYC in a very expensive area, and my main concern is that my father is not going to be able to live anywhere near us. My dad keeps telling my younger and I that he is going to be financially strained, and he has yet to find a place, for some reason he has not done that. He also does not want to divorce my mother, not because he loves her, but because in a way he is dependent on her finances, also we have lived in our house for 16 years, and he doesn't want to leave it. My mom also bought him out of his share of the house which was like $350,000. Anyway, I am mainly concerned about the money issue, because I will be applying to colleges next year, and its going to be really tough financially. Aside from financial problems, I really don't want my dad to leave. We have a fairly decent relationship, can be very good and very bad, but I am really going to miss having him around, because unfortunately my mother works alot. I am also worried about my younger sister, she is going through a really tough time, one of her best friends is anorexic, and refuses to talk to her and has tried to blame the problem on her!, my sister is also entering high school and is most likely to attend Laguardia in NYC as a music major, her other best friend was also supposed to attend there, but because her friend's ballet master recommended that she not go there because she sees her becoming a professional dancer and that dancing at Laguardia and at the academy would be too much, so the friend has decided not to attend laguardia. She is very upset over the divorce, and I am really worried about her. The living arrangements are that my sister and I are to live with my mother during the week and that every other weekend, we shall live with my dad. I really don't like that situation because I want to see my dad whenever I want to. Sorry for the long post, I just needed to vent. I'm not quite sure how to handle the situation. Some of you may wonder as to why I would post this online, well I don't want anyone that I know to find out about my parents. Thanks to all that bothered to read this post. I also feeling that I am constantly depressed, I have also suffered from mild depression but now it is constant. I've also turned to drinking, partying, not caring about school and a few other bad things. Idk what to do.</p>
<p>Stop drinking and doing "the other bad things." You will regret it.</p>
<p>My parents have been divorced since I was two. My dad lives in Ottawa, Canada, and my mom lives in Michigan. I spend the school year with my mom, and I spend the summer and other school breaks with my dad. You are very lucky that your dad will be so close to you. I have to go for months without seeing my dad, and it's been like that for twelve years.</p>
<p>i am sorry about your parents getting a divorce.
i'm a child of divorce as well and I realize how hard it is. If the divorce is finalized, then all the custody issues should be worked out, and you should still be able to see your father.
on the financial issue. i think you shouldn't worry too much. you said your parents make over $250,000 combined a year. I'm not complaining because I am very happy with where I am in my life and my family, but my family barely makes a fifth of what your parents make combined, and it is possible to survive. I really don't see the financial issues about colleges. Colleges will expect your parents to pay most of your tuition based on their financial situations.
I'm sorry for the divorce issue, but seriously, be happy your parents make that much money.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, that really sucks.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if you'll get any financial aid at this point though. With your parents' income at $300k, probably not unless you have a $100k car loan (which you probably don't since you live in NYC) or a $5mil mortgage or something.</p>
<p>Awww, I'm sorry. My parents are divorced too, and it my Dad's drinking problem led to the divorce as well. If you ever want to talk, feel free to PM me..</p>
<p>I'm bad at comforting people, so I'll just try and give you advice that has probably occurred to you already:</p>
<p>(1) Apply to schools with good merit aid
(2) Find scholarships, etc. I think the Ayn Rand essay contest gives you what, $10000?
(3) Ask your dad if he can contribute money...he hasn't divorced you.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. Its not that I am complaining that my parents make that much money, I am glad they do, and they've worked very hard for it. Its just that I hate change and the fact that it is soo soon. I would prefer that my parents talk to my sister and I, instead of one person talking to the both of us at a time, because I don't know who is telling the truth, but my dad refuses to do it. My dad will want to contribute money. Another problem is that I am really serious about pitching and my dad has really helped my career, always praticing with me whenever I wanted to, taking me to my pitching lessons, to the batting cage, but now due to the divorce it will be so much more difficult and this is at a crucial point in my softball career, where I am being groomed for division one softball, and therefore need to constantly be working. I have to admit, many people think that I am one of those people with a perfect life so to speak (which is far from the truth) but I prefer to project that image. Anyway, so there isn't anybody who I can really talk to because I feel self-concious. This post doesn't make a lot of sense but anyway thanks for the advice, anymore would greatly be appreciated.</p>
<p>From your post it sounds like you're afraid you won't see one of your parents anymore. That's not true. If you live with your mom, you can still see your dad during the weekends. Your relationship with them will not change. So don't worry about trying to save their marriage. This would actually risk your relationship even more.</p>
<p>I don't want to save their marriage because that would be impossible because they both hate eachother. I just found out that my dad has a gf which was tough to stomach because I found out he has been dating her since October, I was suspicious that there was something going on and now its comfirmed. Also, I found out that my dad wanted to kick my mom and my sister and I out of the house, thankfully his "gf" (ugh) talked him out of it. I also found out that he dragged this divorce out, mom had asked him to settle two years ago but he refused and instead my mom had to spend a ton of money getting a lawyer while he did not have to pay anything for a lawyer because he got one through his union. This really <strong><em>ed me off, because I feel like he is trying to destroy my life. As much as I love him he can be a real *</em></strong>** sometimes. Basically, I'm not talking to either of my parents right now. I appreciate all the responses.</p>
<p>bump........anyone else have any advice?</p>
<p>You're in a painful, difficult place, and you need some support. Due to their own problems, your parents and sibling aren't able to offer such support.</p>
<p>Consequently, I suggest that you get your parents to pay for you to see a therapist who has helped other teens whose parents are divorcing.</p>
<p>Maybe ask a guidance counselor (if your school's guidance department is supportive) or a teen helpline or something. Asking your parents to pay for anything might not be too wise, depending upon the current situation. Especially something as expensive as therapy. (Unless your insurance covers it.)</p>