Some of the most common things that people need after their divorce are a community of people with shared experiences,), help with the day-to-day running of their household (if they are struggling emotionally and are too depressed to hand it and/or if they are juggling getting back to work with maintaining the household), a reliable babysitter or babysitters, help with their finances and a way to decompress and unwind.  This article will provide you with an overview of each of these resources. 

1.  Find a community of people with shared experiences:  Finding a support group with whom you can connect can go a long way towards healing after your divorce.  “Meetups” have made it easier than ever to find people in situations similar to yours.  For instance, divorce groups in Portland include:  groups for men, parental alienation groups, “Life Beyond Divorce”, divorce groups for women that meet both during the week and on the weekends, single mom divorce groups, etc.  In general, the leader of the “meetup” will post the time and date of the event and people can just show up and join in the activities.  Meetups are a fantastic and free way to find support and connect with others who may be going through some of the same emotional and practical challenges that you are facing.

1.  Task-Rabbit:  One thing you may not think of post-divorce is what is required to manage the day-to-day upkeep of your household.  If your husband was particularly handy, he may have been able to fix all the small (and maybe even the larger) problems such as a leaky roof, problems with plumbing, etc.  Task rabbit to the rescue!  Task rabbit is an online and mobile marketplace that matches freelance labor with local demand, allowing consumers to find immediate help, including cleaning, moving, delivery and handyman work.  The consumer is able to choose the “Tasker” by reviews, skills and price, schedule a time that works for them and then chat, pay and tip all on a single platform.   

1. Care.com:  Care.com allows you to find a babysitter immediately at the touch of your fingertips.  You can specify exact details about the type of caregiver you want (experience level, price range, etc.).  Care.com provides a simple and comprehensive solution for finding, managing and paying for your babysitter or nannying needs as well as peace of mind for families insofar as it takes care of household payroll and taxes.

1.  Hire a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst:  A financial analyst can be extremely helpful in helping you prepare financially for the fall-out from your divorce.  Divorce is an extremely stressful event.  To alleviate some of the stress it is essential to be proactive and in control.  Among other things, a financial analyst can discuss in detail the drop in income you will see following divorce and how best to prepare for that decline.  In addition, he or she will be able to give you a thorough understanding of everything you own and its worth.  Your analyst will also be able to help you understand your financial needs and assess what changes you need to make in your lifestyle to account for your changing income.