the issues with kids DO make this infinitely more difficult. My children are adamant in the belief that their dad is coming home (S17 just jumped on this bandwagon, BTW), but they understand that it will happen when it happens. Or, as they say it "in God's time."
When DH told D9 he was NEVER coming home, she politely informed me that Daddy does not understand that God is in control, not him. My kids would much rather have me stand and wait for daddy than to give up and move on. Even without my own convictions coming into play, I would do what ever it takes to reconcile my marriage for the kids' sake. The fact that our marriage was NOT high-conflict, overall happy, and a healthy home life for the kids makes me stand firm in the face of what some consider insurmountable odds.
How to DB with kids? Take the kids' needs into consideration and remember Smiley's theory on "friendiness". It makes it easier overall on the kids, no matter what the outcome. So, with family time, sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. Because "sometimes Daddy needs time with you by himself, just like Mommy does sometimes, too."
Living God's blessings with grace and dignity~ SMW
M40/H36 T16/M14 4K B2/08 S4/08 current
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. I Corinthians 13:7
