When I need to provide my last name and the last names of my two children I simply state that I’m a Jerry Springer show waiting to happen. Some laugh, some look at me like I’m crazy, others simply ignore it as they weren’t paying attention and didn’t really hear.

Two children, two different last names as they are each from two different marriages and neither match my current last name (maiden name) as I’m also divorced twice.

That story alone must be Jerry Springer worthy! Although I find myself running into more and more people who are in their 3rd and 4th marriages and less who are still married to their one and only.

This makes me sad. I didn’t anticipate or want this for myself or my children. I imagined my life with one man until death do us part, just as my grandparents lived. Ups and downs were navigated and if something was broke they fixed it and didn’t throw their marriage away. My grandfathers dying wish was to ensure my grandmother was well cared for. 

So how do I teach my children without my grandparents here and me divorced twice that you truly can enter into a marriage with a partner who will work with you til death do you part as long as you put in that work too? 

Hopefully I can help them learn from my mistakes, but any ideas on instilling the traditional value of working through those highs and lows and choosing a partner who means it when they say their vows?

– Diary of a “Jerry Springer” mom