The campfire nights weren’t fancy—just sticks, marshmallows, and laughter when one burned to a crisp. Those simple moments reminded me that kids don’t care about money or perfection. What they want most is your presence.

Why it’s important:In Earned, Not Given, I share how divorce stripped life down to the basics. Campfires taught me a lesson every parent needs to hear: you don’t have to give your kids the world—you just have to give them you.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

Most fathers don’t walk away because they stop loving their kids. They walk away because every door gets slammed, every visit turns into a war. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to protect the child from more pain.

Why it’s important: Because too many children grow up thinking, “Dad left because he didn’t care.” The truth is often the opposite—fathers are forced out by constant conflict and rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

Most fathers don’t walk away because they stop loving their kids. They walk away because every door gets slammed, every visit turns into a war. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to protect the child from more pain.

Why it’s important: Because too many children grow up thinking, “Dad left because he didn’t care.” The truth is often the opposite—fathers are forced out by constant conflict and rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

Judgment is easy. Understanding takes courage. This video is a reminder that in divorce, co-parenting, and life, things are rarely black and white. Everyone carries unseen struggles, and what kids need most is peace, not sides.

Why it’s important:In Earned, Not Given, I share how quick judgments during my divorce only added to the chaos and pain. These moments matter because parents—and even friends and family—need to realize that choosing sides pushes kids further into conflict. The real strength is seeking to understand, offering support, and protecting children from unnecessary division.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

Most fathers don’t walk away because they stop loving their kids. They walk away because every door gets slammed, every visit turns into a war. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to protect the child from more pain.

Why it’s important: Because too many children grow up thinking, “Dad left because he didn’t care.” The truth is often the opposite—fathers are forced out by constant conflict and rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

Most fathers don’t walk away because they stop loving their kids. They walk away because every door gets slammed, every visit turns into a war. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to protect the child from more pain.

Why it’s important: Because too many children grow up thinking, “Dad left because he didn’t care.” The truth is often the opposite—fathers are forced out by constant conflict and rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

Toxic parents thrive on chaos. Every angry text is a trap to drag you back into conflict. But not every message deserves a response. Sometimes silence is your strongest shield. Protect your peace so you can protect your kids.Why it’s important:Because every time you react, you get pulled deeper into the toxic cycle—and your kids feel that stress. Silence isn’t giving up. It’s showing your children that peace is possible, even when chaos surrounds them.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

Most fathers don’t walk away because they stop loving their kids. They walk away because every door gets slammed, every visit turns into a war. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to protect the child from more pain.

Why it’s important: Because too many children grow up thinking, “Dad left because he didn’t care.” The truth is often the opposite—fathers are forced out by constant conflict and rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

We went to Pokémon Pond thinking we’d catch something magical. We didn’t. But the magic wasn’t in the catch—it was in the laughter, the fresh air, and the memory we created together.

Why it’s important:Divorce and co-parenting can make parents feel pressure to “do big things” to make up for lost time. But the truth is—kids don’t remember the catch. They remember that you were there, laughing with them, fully present in the moment.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.

After divorce, silence can feel like failure—like you’ve lost everything. But silence can also become space: to breathe, to pray, to heal. Stillness isn’t weakness; it’s the ground where strength is rebuilt.

Why it’s important:In Earned, Not Given, I share how I learned to embrace silence instead of fearing it. Parents in divorce and parental alienation often want to fight and fill the noise. But healing in the quiet is what allows you to show up stronger, calmer, and more present for your kids.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

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.