Old Dog seeks new trick 12

[Old Dog]

The story so far.

• Old dog seeks new trick 1
• Old dog seeks new trick 2
• Old dog seeks new trick 3
• Old dog seeks new trick 4
• Old dog seeks new trick 5
• Old dog seeks new trick 6
• Old dog seeks new trick 7
• Old dog seeks new trick 8
• Old dog seeks new trick 9
• Old dog seeks new trick 10
• Old dog seeks new trick 11

Recent news: after a bit of a 'discussion' we are alternating time at home with the boys.

But the big news just in today is that WW has just been made redundant.

[Old Dog]

She'll be back after work for a couple of hours before she goes off to OM's for the night: it's my turn with the kids tonight.

I thought I'd make the dinner as a gesture of support.

[Wonka]

OD,

Sigh. The fallout of her A continues.

You cook because that is what fathers do...right? Do you have plans with the kids for this Easter weekend?

[Old Dog]

Yes, father's make sure their kids don't starve but do I include her? She didn't cook for me the there day when I was here. This could be an opportunity to show empathy.

I don't know what's going to happen about paying the rent & bills though.

Re kids at Easter: we can't do much because S15 is recovering from his operation. A visit to my mum's is about it. Not that exhilarating for them I'm afraid. Maybe I can think of something else that won't exhaust him.

[Vanilla]

OD

Empathy? Why?

Presumably W has not been in employment long enough to get a redundancy payment. However now she is S with you, how she pays is her stuff to figure out in my book. I have stopped paying towards H lifestyle. he has had to have debts to do his share. Tough.

V

[Old Dog]

Er because I'm a nice guy ... in more ways than one.

She won't be getting any other help from me.

She still off to OM's tonight.

[Vanilla]

OD

This is probably not the time to soothe W and be the nice guy! She will have OM mopping her tears, who knows he may offer her a job or may not!

Not suggesting you are nasty to W, you can validate "w that's a tough gig for you".

Just saying.

V

[raliced]

OD - I get a little confused with your sitch, because I'm not sure how on board you are with trying to do things as a family. If it's family dinner time - I'm sure she should be welcome to join you - but cooking specifically for her is something her husband should do and she has fired you from that position.

You can validate how stressful this situation must be for her - but in my opinion, that should be the vast majority of the extent of your "helpfulness".

Polite, positive and cheerful! Her life may be going to c***, but yours is not!

[Old Dog]

She just returned home so I said I'm really sorry about your job.

I actually learned the name of a colleague, the other one who's getting there boot, and a bit about how the PR person has just got a brand new Merc to go with her vast hospitality budget. Apparently they spend loads on awards and things. I listened and validated but that's it.

It's Easter hols this week and both boys are home and S15 also has a friend visiting so I'm 'looking after' them. I told her I'm making dinner and that's about it. We don't do family things now after this last weekend.

I'm feeling quite cheerful about the possible hardship, and certainly some worry, she'll have to face. She is getting paid for two months and doesn't have to work notice though.

And she will be able to look after S15 while he's off school recovering.

[Old Dog]

And another thing. I'm a little to admit this after all the advice I've had about tough love ... but I asked her if she wanted to stay the night rather than go off to OM's (as it's about 40 mins away). Too damn soft. Why did I do that?

She declined anyway, so sod her.

Going to watch Looper with the boys instead.