So the meet w/ the counselor is over. It was eye-opening, I think, but more to WAW than to me. Like the part where he said S9 is going to go into shock, for example. C spent a good amount of time talking about parenting plans, and I was silent for most of the hour -- I didn't really have questions and wanted WAW to have to drive the train on finding out just how complex a mess she's creating.

Got back to the house for a break before dinner, and as I'm making coffee -- and offering it to WAW -- she asks, "So what did you think?"

Well what am I going to say? I think that was catastrophic? That we've had a window into just how messed up our childrens' lives are going to be shuttling between two homes? Or maybe I should have reiterated C's observation that the kids are "INEVITABLY" going to identify with and side with me because WAW is a WAW.

But no, I said, "I thought it was a great meeting. C has lots of good ideas. I think this year-long parenting plan is too much, but certainly quarterly."

And then WAW began walking it back.

Well, no, we can't plan that much. And this assumption that I can take them on their school vacations -- work, work, work. And you're home a lot, and I'm paying child support, and and and.

Uh-huh.

And as her voice got sharper and angrier I raised my hands and said, "I can see this is making you angry, and I'm not going to argue with you."

Well! I can see there will be no civility!

"I can understand that you'd think that. But my only real concern is that there's a real risk of me being taken advantage of, given my flexibility. And that's not going to be fair to the kids, who are going to want every chance to see their Mom. And who can blame them?"

Well that defused her a bit. And I reiterated, "I'm not angry. I'm prepared for this. The sooner we launch the better, since it'll give the kids time to adjust."

And she was very puzzled and said, "Well maybe I should have you served tomorrow, then."

To which I replied, "If that's what you want, that's what you'll do. I can no more control than I can control your thoughts. From my POV, we had a good session and learned some important skills. That's what I'm focusing on. That, and dinner -- I'm hungry!"

But to be truthful it was tough. To hear S9's therapist describing the panoply of possible effects this will have on The Boy. Well. It ain't pretty. And I hope WAW knows that. Because this ain't my deal.