Man, I'm embarrassed by the outpouring of support on here - it feels great, but I'm sure I don't deserve it!
I feel like I passed another big hurdle tonight. W texted me yesterday and asked me if I could pick up the kids from school. Of course, she doesn't even have to ask.
So, it was supposed to be quick in-and-out, and she would pick them up like a half-hour after school. She texted me around 5:00, and said she wouldn't make it, so would meet us at b-ball practice. I asked if I should feed, and she said no, she would. WIN #1 - NO OTHER TEXTS!
I took kids, and they were all excited to see her hair. We got to about 6:50 (ends at 7:00), and W texts and says she won't be able to make it, says she is about to cry. I text back, "OK". WIN #2 - DON'T TAKE THE BAIT
So, I got kids packed up and headed on 20 minute drive back, and texted W asking about food again because it was getting late. She said, "Yes, feed them, I failed my practice exam." (She has a big exam tomorrow) Me: "OK" WIN #3 - DON'T TAKE THE BAIT!
(comment here - I have ALWAYS been her biggest cheerleader, and pumped her up, and told her how smart and capable she was)
I thought she might be back around the same time we got back, so I texted, "We are going to eat at home, and I am going to wash their uniforms, they will be wet, but can't be run through the dryer." (Tomorrow is sports day for our kids at school, and they wanted to wear their basketball and cheerleading uniforms)
W: "I will text when I get back, thank you!"
She actually came home to pick them up, and I had them read, coats on, and shoved them out the door. So best news is that I didn't see her at all, let alone her new hairdo!
I didn't give in ONE time to the very obvious attempts to get sympathy, and I got to spend 4.5 hours with the kids instead of 1.75!
