Emotional Wellness Mary Symmes is the founder of Self Investment Strategies and a life coach devoted to the empowerment of working women. Mary is also a clinical social worker in Alexandria, Va. Visit her Web site at SelfInvestmentStrategies.com Dealing with Divorce Question: My husband has left me for another woman. We're in the midst of filing for a divorce. And the whole process has left my life and my kids in a complete disaster. Everytime I think about it I get on the verge of crying. My twin 5-year-olds keep asking when daddy will be home. And I don't know what to say. Any suggestions for dealing with my emotions and keeping the kids out of it? Pat Answer: Dear Pat, I really believe that the very best thing you can do for yourself is to get some counseling and go to a support group. There is a ton of information about support groups on the Internet, and the Yellow Pages and your local mental health center should have information, too. The mental health center, a local hospital, the local clinical social work society, or a doctor you know should be able to give you names of counselors. Go to help yourself and your twins. Divorce is equivalent to the death of a spouse on the stress scale, and, as you know, disrupts every part of your life - social, emotional, financial, family, and so on. YOU NEED AND DESERVE SUPPORT. There are a number of good books on coping with divorce. I suggest you take a look at the library and a local bookstore and see what appeals to you. Some I have heard of include: Healthy Divorce by Everett and Everett Between love and hate: A guide to civilized divorce by L. Gold Crazy Time by Abigail Trafford Mom's house, Dad's house by Ricci For the sake of the children by Kline and Pew Make sure you have a good but fair attorney who can think for you when you can't. Listen to her! Try to get enough sleep, and make fun time for you and the kids. Take some mental health days off from work now and then, and just do pleasant things. Get support, get counseling, and try to connect with others. Hopefully this will be the worst thing you will ever have to go through, and you will learn and grow from it so you never, ever, have to face it again. Good luck to you. Other Recent Questions: I just started a business, and I can't stop worrying I'm worried that my husband may be having an affair. How can I find out? Ask Mary your questions The above is for general information only and is not intended to substitute for professional mental health treatment. Individuals should consult licensed professionals as needed.