I have spent as much time with the kids as possible. Today I had them "help" me. (They're only five) I just had them hand me things or carry something (small) upstairs or downstairs. I figure if they feel involved they might actually have a bit more respect for the house and its upkeep when they see the result. Tomorrow I have them all day and evening to myself again. I hope that I can keep them involved as she gets back tomorrow night. The last thing I need is for her to come home to the house in shambles and me covered in paint.
This time away (it's really only been like two days) has done me some good too. I'm almost considering a different approach. Depending on how she is when she returns I may just work my way into a blunt conversation telling her why divorce is a bad idea. It really puts everyone in a bad spot. And to think in a very short time we could be in a good spot and pull ourselves out of this mess, and to give up now would almost nullify the past 8.5 years of trying to break out it. It would all be for nothing. Not to mention the hardship we're placing on the kids, and on ourselves because of the kids. If she was upset because she had to leave them for two or three days, she's going to have to face that on a weekly basis.
