Ever since the Batsh*t-Crazy-a-Thon the night before she moved out, I have been communicating with WAW only electronically.
When she has picked the children up, or come to say goodnight, I have slipped out into the backyard so that (a) WAW can have some "private time" with the kids and (b) the kids don't have running to me as an option if WAW says something they don't like (like, "brush your teeth").
And the third, if thinly hidden, reason for me to enjoy the great out-of-doors was self-preservation: knowing WAW, she'd almost certainly try to start a convo if I were available and, petulant baby that I am, I did not want to talk to WAW during that first week after the Batsh*t-Crazy-a-Thon. Enough's enough, right? You can only call me "piece of sh*t" so many times before I sort-of get fed up.
When WAW picked the kids up last week for their 4-day weekend with her, I happened not to be home. I had their bags all packed, their bikes loaded in the Urban Assault Vehicle [we agreed to share the UAV {AKA, mini-van} during extended custody periods because kids have so much trash to haul around], and so forth. So all WAW had to do was grab the keys and go.
But now -- in a few hours' time -- she knows there is a high probability that I will be at home. So -- MRA (Mind-Reading Alert) -- I suspect she's concerned about a possible "event" when she drops their things off. And, in her own way (again MRA), I think she's trying to "respect" what would seem to be my wish -- no verbal communication.
Thus, "crap, I have to act like a grown-up." I can't see how complicating the transfer of Kidstuff with "I can go in the garage if you stay in the kitchen"-type dancing does anyone -- WAW or me -- any good.
In re: @polly on custody -- right now we're looking at roughly 65/35 time; that will vary depending upon my overseas work travel, but should probably average out somewhere in the 65/35 to 60/40 range.
