You are in a confusing sitch right now sweetie pie. I'm so proud of you for talking it out to yourself and on the board, rather than letting it rattle around in your head like I do...you're so much more likely to get to a sensible path doing it that way.
I don't have advice or answers. Just one observation about that business of being second best.
Just because he is coming back when he is struggling doesn't mean YOU are second best. If you think about the posting history here, most of the WASs that have returned have been in rough shape when they returned, he** they've been in crisis for heaven's sake. So please don't demean yourselve that way, I just don't think it is true. I think they return to what they cherish and trust.
Now whether or not it is good for sparkles, and whether or not it is what you want, that's a different questions. Do you have a good C you could bounce it off for just a session or two.
As a matter of principle, I always vote no on second jobs! Raising a kid (even if he is out of the house!) and one job, that's enough, thanks very much.
