We have previously discussed that as divorce becomes more acceptable and commonplace, Americans are finding new ways to cope with the emotional difficulties and even to celebrate the changes they are experiencing.

To cope with the pain of divorce, many North Florida divorcees are throwing divorce parties. In fact, the phenomenon is so popular that it was recently turned into a musical that premiered here in Florida.

If divorce parties are not your style, you may wish to consider a divorce ceremony. While divorce parties tend to be smaller, less-formal gatherings of friends, divorce ceremonies are often more akin to a wedding - only in reverse.

Some of these ceremonies attempt to facilitate a party atmosphere, but most are more solemn in nature. For couples who are splitting on relatively good terms, the divorce ceremony can be a respectful way to celebrate the time you had together and bring your romantic relationship to an official close.

According to a recent news article, divorce ceremonies can actually be a great way for divorcing parents to help their kids cope with the split. The ceremony and vows can reaffirm that, even though the marriage may be ending, both parents are parting peacefully and are now committed to cooperative co-parenting.

Although divorce is becoming more normalized, it is still a big deal for both parents and kids. Therefore, perhaps it is a good thing that we're now finding ways to publicly acknowledge this major life change.

The article includes a quote from one woman who founded a divorce ceremony website. She favors the idea of including the children, and says: "When someone leaves this world, you have a memorial, so why not provide validation for this milestone as well?"

Source: MSNBC, "Will divorce ceremonies make parents' split easier on kids?" Jacoba Urist, April 25, 2012