What happened to letting her initiate, express her needs?
After that, a couple more texts. She was hung up at work, couldn't get to the store to buy a birthday cake for The Boy's celebration at her house or the little token gift D6 was giving her big brother. Very upset. I'm a terrible mother! I s*ck at this!
No requests, just venting.
SP to WAW: I'm at kind of a natural stopping point in The Work That Won't Go Away. I can go to Big Box Retailer and get Token Gift. If you want, I'll stop at Local Bakery, get a cake, and put it in the fridge in your house. [FYI - WAW insisted I have a key and garage door opener in case of emergency when kids are there.]
WAW: I can't ask you to do that.
Why don't you let HER ask you? By saving the day, offering before she asks, doing her thinking for her you take away what she needs.. to learn how to ask for help. To reach out without getting an emotional handout.
About your son's birthday party.. was it a joint birthday party you two planned to have at her abode? What was she taking credit for that made you feel expendable? Here's a woman who consistently says she sucks as a mother. It sounds like all the pieces for the party fell into place. Why was it so important to pop her "I'm a good mommy" bubble? It doesn't make you less of a father if she feels more confident as a mother.
