The Empty Seat

Divorce leaves empty seats—at games, recitals, and milestones. At first, I thought I had to fight for that spot. But I learned you don’t prove love in a courtroom or an argument—you prove it by showing up. Kids remember who stayed consistent, even when life got complicated. Why it’s important:In Earned, Not Given, I share how I stopped chasing validation and focused on presence. Too many parents waste energy fighting over control instead of showing up for their kids. This matters because children don’t remember the conflict—they remember who was there in their corner, time after time. 📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon. Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon. The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe