ERC,

I tried MC with my W's IC. She at least had one session with me solo, to get my side of the story. Still, it felt like I was there to be convinced that the marriage was over. This was also a so-called Christian counselor.

(btw, Did you know that the divorce rate among ministers is exactly the same as the general population?)

You can ask the counselor whether she is opposed to divorce, but you already know the answer. The only question is--will your W agree to go to MC with a different counselor? My guess is no.

So, you need to ask yourself why you are being invited, and why you would go. Your W's best motive would be to make things as good as possible for your girls. Go for that reason.

But also go for this reason: this is one more place you can demonstrate that you are a good father and a good man. Be the most reasonable and empathetic person you know how to be.

I don't mean give in to her demands, monetary or otherwise. You certainly don't want to negotiate the settlement in front of her counselor (and she is HER counselor).

Don't mention the A or OM again. Bring up things like, "What do we tell our daughters on their wedding day about what their vows mean?"

Leave the settlement stuff to the lawyers. "You are sueing me. When people get sued, they get a lawyer, and they listen to that lawyer's advice. I'm sorry that it came to this, but I'm not the one who filed for divorce."

Mike