Today my life would change forever, but I didn't know that when I awoke that morning. Slowly getting out of bed I slipped on my fuzzy ducky slippers and headed down for breakfast. As I headed down the stairs I didn't smell the usual bacon and pancake smell that usually wafted through our house on Saturday mornings. Instead I heard my parents yelling at each other. "This is all your fault," my mother yelled.                                                                                        
"My fault..... this is equally my fault as it is yours," my dad replied in a tone I have never heard him speak in. Before I could hear another word my sister came and heaved me to my parents room. From that moment on my life had changed and I hope it would be for the better. We sat in my parents room for what felt like hours. Sitting in our parents room, with the TV on full blast we could still hear our parents arguing.
Around 9 o'clock our TV watching was disturbed by a loud BOOM, the door closing. My sister quickly turned off the TV and we slowly headed down the stairs. When we arrived in the living room we were shocked to find my mom on the couch with a puddle of tear below her. When we heard the door slam we all thought it was my mom because she was the one always walking away from the problems. My sister sent me to the kitchen to make breakfast. Who sends and 6 year old to make breakfast? In the kitchen I could overhear my sister and mom's conversation. Most of the conversation was sobs and my sister saying, "It's all going to be okay, mom." One thing during that conversation stuck out to me and is still with me today, my mom saying,"Danielle, I think this family will finally be okay."
What did my mom mean by finally? I thought my family was always okay that all families fight and have there ups and downs. When my mom first said that I didn't understand and all those things kept floating through my head. Once I finished making breakfast, honey nut cheerios and juice, my mom had finally settled down. The rest of the day went as normal as possible till my dad showed up that night to get his things. As my daddy packed I asked him, "Why daddy? Why are you doing this? Why are you packing up all your things? Don't you want to be with me, Daddy?"
My daddy never ever answered those questions that night and to this day I still ponder when I am alone what he might have answered to me that night my life took a turn downhill.
2 Years Later

Two hectic years have passed since my dad left and my life has been turned upside down. My mom now lives in a nice apartment complex and my dad lives in a condo. Today is the day everything is final. My parents divorce is really happening. My mom and dad will go to court today while my grams takes me to school. I really wish I could stay home today and not have to go to school.
`During school I couldn't focus to save my life, and I was very distant. This day seemed like it lasted weeks and it would never end. As soon as the bell rang I shot out of there faster than humanly possible. Outside my mom was waiting for me, which I hadn't expected, so I was hoping for some good news. In the car I was told that my living situation would stay the same as it had for the past to years. Meaning every Sunday I would switch houses, to me this was craziness. To me this wasn't good news it was the total opposite of good news, it was terrible news, the divorce had been finalized. When I saw my mom I had hoped that she had come to say that her and my dad had worked things out and that the divorce wasn't happening or she was there to tell me I was just dreaming. Sadly though these hopes weren't possible for mine nor my parents situation. My life has officially changed forever and is now laying at the bottom of the hill.

Present Time

I am now 13 years old, and this experience has made me realize how much my life had changed. Till this day I switch houses every Sunday just like the judge had ordered that day my life changed. This experience has made me into the person I am today and who knows what my life would be like if my parents had never had that fight on Saturday morning. These past four years haven't been a piece of cake they have been a roller coaster of complicated and scary things. This experience has affected me in  so many ways and will continue to affect me for the rest of my life. Today I have realized my parents didn't get divorced because they didn't care about mine and my sister's future, they did it because they care too much.  You're not alone in this.

Tips

For all of you kids who have gone through this, going through this, or one of your friends is going through this here are some things I used to get through this and still use today. Find someone you can talk to and trust. During this time all you need is someone to just talk to about things. This has helped me so much and I still use it today. Another thing is try to stay positive. I know it's hard but just try because in the end when you have found that positive thing or person, you can become that for someone else. One last thing is don't be afraid to talk to your parents about this. I used to be afraid but once I had talked to them we worked out solutions to my problems together. Just remember you're not alone in this.