Newly separated...spouse left, 4th thread

[antlers]

Here's the message that I sent last night...

"Hi Wife,

Yes, the kids and I do plan to be gone during that time as our reservations have
been made. I really relate to your feelings regarding not seeing them for 12
days. I feel the same way about the idea of long stretches without them. Still,
vacations have always been such a big part of our summers and I want to keep
that tradition alive and maintain some normalcy. I'm looking forward to getting
away...and so are they.

I'd like to make sure you and the kids can stay in communication via email and
of course there are always cell phones and texting whenever you want to say
hello. I'm open to any other suggestions too. Again, I really get where you're
coming from and want to make it as manageable as possible.

Thanks,

antlers"



And her's the reply from her to that message that came later on...



"If you have already made reservations for that length of time then you need to
redo them. I WILL NOT go that long without seeing the kids. I wouldn't keep
you from seeing them for that long and I expect the same respect in return.

It makes me sick to hear you say how you "want to keep that tradition alive and
maintain some normalcy" when vacations have always (for the most part) been a
misery for our family. The kids and I dreaded going b/c we all knew what was in
store...fighting between you and me. There will never be normalcy b/c we are no
longer a family. And while you think they are looking forward to going...daughter
isn't. She has mentioned several times that she wishes she could stay with me
and you and son could go by yourselves.

I have compromised with the June/July deal, therefore you need to compromise and
not take them for so long. I don't have a problem with a week, but 12 days is
too long. I have never been without them for that long and I do not intend to
start now. Like I said you can shorten your plans. Maybe day trips around here
is another option."



Any help or feedback, especially in the way I could respond back to 'this' would really be appreciated!