By Celia Rivenbark
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
In the wake of Gwyneth Paltrow’s now famously conscious uncoupling from her husband of 10 years, Chris Martin, there is a huge new industry being born, that of the “divorce coach.”
And, yes, this is the role that was previously played by the bride’s mama.
As in: “Sissy Mae, that man was never good enough for you. You need to cut your losses. My friend Ruby’s son Bernard has been asking about you ever since he saw you at the class reunion. He just got his second Dollar General store so you do the math.”
If you offer any resistance to Bernard as a possible future husband, you should expect your “divorce coach,” to ramp things up a bit.
“You know he’s also learning Italian. Sure, it’s in the bathroom at the Macaroni Grill but Ruby tells me that Bernard says he’s just one really long pee from being able to ask, “Where is the library?” in flawless I-talian. Now isn’t that the kind of man worth marrying?
Somebody who’s always thinking about how to better himself? And did I mention that he has two Dollar Generals?”
The divorce coach idea makes sense to me. We already have life coaches and this is just a sub-specialty. Thanks, Gwyneth Paltrow, for once again letting us know what we need before we even know it ourselves. If I had the skills, I would carve a replica of you in a very large bar of Velveeta and mail it to you for all your service to humanity.
And, yes, I know you only eat food that is flown into your kitchen windows by bluebirds and laid on the tongue that you obsessively brush every morning, but I’m being purposely ironic as I assume you are when you say crazy-butt things like: “In many ways (Chris and I) are closer than we have ever been.”
Say who?
Just once, why couldn’t you be real with us? No “Goop” style spin. Do not pee on my head and tell me it’s Pellegrino. There’s no flippin’ way you are closer than you have ever been when you are deciding to divorce. I have heard plenty of friends say that they have a good relationship with their ex-spouse. This is a normal thing to say, although I never quite believe it, but you take it to the pants-on-fire place when you say that you’ve never been closer.
Upside: Your bombastic breakup has fueled a whole new industry in much the same way as those TV shows about hoarders seriously identify bespectacled counselors as “hoarding addiction specialists.”
Ha! This is another made-up industry. But, in these troubling economic times in which we are told a good 36 percent of our millennials are living with their parents again, I applaud any industry that first does no harm and keeps someone gainfully employed.
So, yes! Aspiring divorce coaches can touchy feely their way through the most contentious “uncouplings” all for $500 per hour.
Beats real work, am I right?
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(Celia Rivenbark is the author of “Rude Bitches Make Me Tired.” Visit www.celiarivenbark.com.)
Sarai
August 23, 2015 at 12:14 am
I want to commend you on your great reosurce for parents and kids going through divorce. Divorce is a very difficult process to go through for everyone involved. As your website points out, helping children through a divorce is the most important aspect. Your kids will need help to get through this stage and onto the rest of their lives. Thanks for your great reosurce.
WWR Editor
September 11, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Thanks so much for your comment. Any time I come across a helpful article regarding divorce I try and share with the community. With the proper support, families can make it to the other side. No doubt there is going to be pain but hopefully a support system can ease the transition, especially for children. Allison