Another one joins the flock (Part II)

[Mike85]

Ray of hope.

After wife took kids, I walked down to our village festival. Hung out for a while, talked with some friends, then my phone rang at about 8. The number didn't look familiar, so I ignored it. It rang about 5 minutes later, same number, so I took it.

It was the wife, calling from bf's phone (couldn't find hers). She was dropping kids off - she was on her way. Told her that I'd meet her in 5-10 minutes, since I was walking.

Got home, her minivan in driveway. The asshat, errr...bf was in the driver's seat, looking beat and pissed off. I ignored him as I walked onto my back porch. Oldest son was saying his goodbyes to him mom, while the three-year-old was laying on the floor, crying. Wife told me that the kids were in their usual squabbling form and that the three-year-old was, well, being a three-year-old. Hence the early drop-off. Apparently, bf is beginning to realize that his gf is a mommy with two normal kids who argue, fight, get cranky, etc.

She spent about ten to fifteen minutes saying goodbye to the kids. Oldest wouldn't let her go. Youngest finally got up and hugged her too. Wife asked if the kids wanted her to pick them up Sunday night to sleep over, or Monday morning. Both picked Monday morning, indicating that they preferred to sleep in their "real" beds. Wife made no big deal out of it.

She gave me big hug and a kiss and said she'd see me Monday morning.

Kids and I went into house, and as minivan pulled out, oldest son said "man, Patrick is NOT happy, dad..."

Oldest son said that he and his brother didn't do anything weird while at mom's, they were just being them. Apparently mommy didn't mind, but bf and his buddy were less than happy with their summertime peace and idyllic cookout meal being disrupted by....kids. It was bf who requested the early dropoff.

Yes, I'm enjoying the harsh reality check for wife's bf, but I've got to remember to be careful of my kids' health and safety in case bf loses his temper or falls of the wagon again.