By Kelly Rouba for GalTime.com

TV dads, like Cliff Huxtable and Ward Cleaver, often made fatherhood look easy. They effortlessly juggled their work schedules so they could spend quality time with their children and, of course, they were always around to set their kids straight if they stepped out of line. While we all know parenting isn’t always as easy as it seems on TV, there are plenty of celebrity dads who’ve managed to set the bar pretty high when it comes to balancing fame and fatherhood as least as far as we can tell from the outside!

Life in the limelight can be hard, but there are some famous fathers who don’t let fame get in the way of fatherhood!

By Jeff Landers for GalTime.com

Dividing the family’s property during a divorce can be quite difficult, especially if there are significant assets such as houses, rental property, retirement and pension plans, stock options, restricted stock, deferred compensation, brokerage accounts, closely-held businesses, professional practices and licenses, etc. Deciding who should get what can be quite a challenge, even under the most amenable of situations. But, if your divorce is contentious, then this can be especially complicated.

Even the most friendly split can get messy, particularly when it comes to determining who gets what.

By Kelly Rouba for GalTime.com

If you recently got engaged and just can’t wait to tie the knot, famed party planner Martie Duncan says it’s not too late to plan a summer wedding.

A summer wedding can be put together in under two months, assures Duncan, who shares many of her expert tips on her website MartieKnowsParties. Duncan’s experience in planning weddings on the fly began when a friend recruited her help not long ago.

Believe it or not, a summer wedding can be put together in under two months. Don’t believe us? Take a look…

By Laura Seldon for GalTime.com

Packing for any vacation can be exhausting, but it gets even harder when you’re deciding what to take on your first trip with your new flame. But just like in relationships, when it comes to packing for a trip, it’s best to leave all extra baggage behind! To help you “pack for success,” here are the top 10 things to take with you whether you are hitting the wide-open road together, or jetting away to somewhere exotic!

…Packing for your first getaway as a couple? Resist the urge to jam in 10 pairs of heels and 5 LBDs, ladies – bringing all that unnecessary baggage will weigh down more than just your suitcase!

By Kelly Rouba, GalTime.com

As the Neil Sedaka song goes, “Breaking up is hard to do.” And it gets even harder when friends take sides in the process–something Diana Young recalls all too well.

After splitting up with her longtime boyfriend RJ to pursue another relationship, Young felt abandoned by many of her friends. “RJ got all our friends in our ‘divorce’,” Young joked. But since many of their friends weren’t entirely aware of all that went on behind the scenes, Young said they were quick to take his side.

When a couple with shared friends breaks up, it’s natural for friends to take sides. But who gets what friend?

By Jane Greer, PhD for GalTime.com

Amanda Bynes has been in the news recently after a flurry of erratic behavior both in the real world and on Twitter. Drama peaked this week when she was allegedly caught in possession of drug paraphernalia and arrested. Two mug shots were circulated, one of Bynes wearing a flamboyant, platinum wig and the second with the wig removed revealing a new super-cropped haircut. Since the incident, she’s lashed out at Rihanna on Twitter saying she had been beaten by Chris Brown for being “not pretty enough.”

The child star has been having trouble for a while, including an arrest in 2012 for a DUI. For those of us on the outside, it is like watching a train wreck. But what about those close to her? Is there anything they can do?

By SMF Marcus Osborne for GalTime.com

All of our lives, we’re advised against allowing ourselves to fall in love too fast. They (whoever “they” are) tell us love should happen deliberately, gradually, over a moderate amount of time to have truly legitimate long-term potential. That certainly sounds like sound advice. A cautious approach to new love is never in any way inappropriate. Better safe than sorry.

All of our lives, we’re advised against allowing ourselves to fall in love too fast. But what should we do when our emotions take over?

By Jane Greer, PhD for GalTime.com

It isn’t surprising that everyone is talking about Angelina Jolie’s recent celebrity news of her preventative double mastectomy. The news sparked conversations about the procedure itself and the decision to go public, but I want to talk about her rock-solid support system. In a New York Times op-ed piece she wrote, “I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive.” She mentioned her celebrity love was present for all of her medical procedures and surgeries at the Pink Lotus Breast Center. He has, in turn, recently called her decision to have the radical procedure and be public about it, “absolutely heroic.”

While It Seems That Pitt Agreed With His Celebrity Love’s Choice, That Isn’t Always The Case.  Does That Mean a Relationship Is Destined To Fail?

…interested in this story? Click here to read more.

By Laura Seldon for GalTime.com

Great dates don’t have to come in the form of a helicopter ride at sunset or a weekend spa getaway (although a massage does sound nice right about now…) No, contrary to what The Bachelor would have you believe, romance doesn’t depend on spending money in big flashy ways. To prove it, here are 10 fun and unique date ideas that will cost you less than $50!

…Contrary to what The Bachelor would have you believe, romance doesn’t depend on spending money in big flashy ways!

By Jane Greer, PhD for GalTime.com

Denise Richards, ex-wife of Charlie Sheen and the mother of two of his children, now has temporary custody of Sheen’s sons with his other ex-wife Brooke Mueller. Brooke and Charlie have both struggled publically with substance abuse for many years. Though Brooke is not making comments at this time, US Weekly confirmed that the removal of the children from her home was due to an “‘unsafe environment’ caused by “[her] ongoing alleged drug use.” The children, four-year-old twin boys Bob and Max, have moved in with Denise and are living with their sisters, Denise’s children with Charlie, Sam and Lola, and Denise’s adopted daughter, Eloise. Denise, who has not remarried since her divorce from Sheen in 2005, is now a single mom to all five kids under the age of 12. She has cared for the twins before, saying the boys are “family” and she would, “do anything for them.” It has been reported that Charlie is supportive of the idea.

…When moving toward or out of a divorce, people tend to be in reactive mode and aren’t always able to think things through. So what exactly can we learn from Denise Richards?

By Sarah Gooding, PlentyofFish for GalTime.com

Mad Men never change, regardless of how much time has passed.

Don Draper may have seduced women in the 1960s fantasy world of advertising, but his modern day version is very much alive today, especially in the world of online dating.

…Don Draper may have seduced women in the 1960s fantasy world of advertising, but his modern day version is very much alive today, especially in the world of online dating.

By Jane Greer, PhD for GalTime.com

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries have, at long last, finalized their divorce. Famously married in a lavish ceremony on August 20, 2011 and infamously separated just seventy-two days later – the settlement battle dragged on for a grand total of 536 days. Kim is the one who originally initiated the proceedings in October 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. Now that it’s finally over, both parties seem relieved to end the ordeal. Humphries even tweeted emphatically on April 18th, “Couldn’t be happier!” But that wasn’t always the case.

…You would think that when a marriage clearly goes bad, both people would be eager to get out so they can put a stop to the bad feelings and get a fresh start. But that is easier said than done.

by Sheila Blagg for GalTime.com

Keeping things friendly with the ex is a subject that often perplexes even those involved in the tamest of divorces. Many people ask, “Can I really have a friendly meeting with my ex?” Although, it may take a while — and some hard work — the answer is, “Yes, you can!”

Many people ask, “Can I really have a friendly meeting with my ex?” Although, it may take a while — and some hard work — the answer is, “Yes, you can!”

By Jeff Landers for GalTime.com

As a divorcing woman, you are no doubt looking forward to having the whole divorce process over with, so you can move ahead to your new life. If you’re like most women, you probably think the past few months (or years!) have been filled with enough emotional upheaval, not to mention legal and financial hassle, for a lifetime, and you’ll be very glad to have it all behind you . . . at last.

Life as a single woman will bring new responsibilities, including all the issues surrounding your personal finances. So how do you make sure you set your best foot forward?

…Click here for more.

By Jane Greer, PhD for Galtime.com

When is puppy love the smart choice?

Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend Casper Smart introduced the newest member of their family to the public recently via Twitter — a brown boxer puppy they’ve named Bear. Lopez, who has four-year-old twins with ex-husband Marc Anthony, has been dating Smart since 2011. This step seems worth noting — not only for them but for all couples who might be wondering what the next phase of their partnership might be.

…With puppies, comes great responsibilities. Are they ready? Better question…are YOU ready?

by Terri Trespicio for GalTime.com

I’m no stranger to asking out dudes. I’ve done it – slipped my number into someone’s hand, slid a napkin-scribbled note onto a table, approached a man eating alone at a sushi bar, even walked straight up to a very hot guy in some kind of grounds crew and invited him to call me. But I’ll be honest, while it can be sexy and fun and a great experiment to honing and exploring your confidence, most of those dates never transpired.

Is it a good idea for a woman to ask a man out? Are men’s egos so big that they just CAN’T say yes to a woman asking them out? Find out what our expert has to say:

…we know you’re intrigued. Click here to read more.

by Straight Male Friend Marcus Osborne for GalTime.com

As a man I can personally attest to men’s particular brand of cluelessness. The countless missed signals contributing to ineffectual attempts at communication by the Adam gender has caused many Eve’s heads to explode. Sure, a gargantuan chunk of couples’ misunderstandings could be avoided with ease if women would…oh, I dunno…maybe be more direct. Instead of expecting guys to “just know”, perhaps being a teensy-weensy more literal would be helpful.

…that’s not all! Click here to read more.

By SMF Marcus Osborne for GalTime.com

Don’t make these mistakes

We over at Your Straight Male Friends never claim to be relationship experts. But we are dude experts. We’ve got you covered there.

I have an inbox full of emails from ladies trying to understand the men in their lives. As I recently sifted through them, I noticed one particular question over and over again: Why do guys seems to vanish after a few dates? Well ladies– sometimes it IS something that you are doing or saying that makes a man want to run for the hills.

…want the rest? Click here for more.

By Kelly Rouba, GalTime Writer

You can find love anywhere, just make sure to keep your eyes open!

Finding love is never easy– or so it seems when you’re single. As many women will admit, the bar scene isn’t always an ideal place to meet men and flirting with someone at work is sometimes frowned upon. So if you’re “looking for love in all the wrong places” or just unsure of where to mingle with eligible singles, GalTime’s relationship expert Nikki Leigh has a few suggestions that just might help you get on the right path to meeting the man of your dreams.

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By Romance Recovery’s Johanna Lyman for GalTime.com

Listen up guys everywhere — I’m tired of hearing that nice guys finish last.  Women, at least emotionally mature women, want a man who is nice, not a jerk.  They just don’t want a doormat.

Think nice, not passive.  Doormats are no fun to date, but most women want to see their friends (and themselves) dating a nice guy.

To help you guys understand the difference, I came up with a list of things a man can do– nice guy or not– to finish first.

…we know you’re intrigued. Click here to read more.

By Malia Karlinsky, GalTime Love/Sex Editor

Sad news about one of Hollywood’s hottest couples–Russell Brand has filed for divorce from wife Katy Perry.  The news about the break-up does not come as a complete surprise.  Celebrity gossip columnists have been buzzing about a rift between pop music princess Katy Perry and her actor/comedian hubby Russell Brand.  Married for just 14 months, the often lovey-dovey pair reportedly spent this past Christmas miles apart (two-thousand miles to be exact).  Photos showed Perry splashing around on a Hawaiian beach (without her wedding ring), while Brand was also snapped on a beach– in Cornwall, England– sans Perry.

What broke this celeb couple up?  We may never know for sure, but Us Weekly recently reported that Brand’s lack of respect for Perry’s parents’ Christian beliefs as the cause of some tension.

If that’s the case– the problems of this glamourous newlywed couple are quite common.

…want to read more? Click here.

By Dating With Dignity’s Marnia Battista for GalTime.com

While some men just aren’t Mr. Boyfriend Material, others just need clear communication from you about what you want, need and expect from them. To make things trickier, many women have difficulty articulating exactly what they’re looking for. That said, imagine if you knew the following:

• Exactly what you want in a partner, including his values and goals in life.
• How to effectively communicate your needs and expectations without having to be bitchy, brash or judgmental.
• Simple ways to set boundaries to allow the possibility of a relationship to unfold before you knee-jerk kick him to the curb.

In order to get your needs met, you have to be able to articulate exactly what you need and then be able to communicate those needs in a way that is appropriate, kind, compassionate, and reveals your true, authentic self.

Here are three steps you can take right now to begin to clearly express your desires to the man in your life so you can begin getting what you want:

…Don’t miss the rest! Click here for more.

By Danielle Devorah of GalTime.com

When it comes to looks, women are typically more forgiving than men.  I tend to believe that the first thing that attracts a man to a woman is her looks.  On the other hand, a woman wants a man who comes off as intelligent, powerful, and strong.  That does not necessarily equate to “good looking”. I remember dating a guy several years ago who was a very well known male model.  On a scale of 1-10 this guy was an 11, for sure! He was tall, had a chiseled facial structure, strong arms.  I remember taking him to parties with me and even my male friends said, “Wow, he’s a good looking dude”. But, he was, well, dumb as a rock.  After a couple dates and many ridiculous conversations with him, I dumped him.  I no longer saw how gorgeous he was and just imagined him as an immature 15-year-old boy.  Years later, he actually married a very famous actress and ironically she’s very smart. I guess she didn’t need someone on her level and enjoyed the arm candy.

…The store continues here.

By GalTime Dating Diva Jennifer Oikle, Ph.D.

It’s time for the big MERGE!  You finally found The One and you are moving in together or getting married.  Exciting, thrilling and… bumpy?   When two adults decide to come together to create one life, there can be a few bumps along the way.

Even the most compatible partners will still have differences when it comes to habits, interests, and yes, even decorating taste.  Now that you share a bathroom, how do you negotiate those small and sometimes ugly discrepancies while keeping your bond strong?  It’s easy when you keep in mind your UNIFYING VISION.
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