Hope and heartache

[ClingingToHope]

Had parent/teacher conferences last night and both are doing great, much better than last year. Last year, they both struggled so much that it was a major contributing factor in our split -- the stress levels just got so high.

We had a much better plan in place this year and it's paying off.

But here's a baby step in reverse. W asked me about the taxes and whether we'd be getting a sizable one. I said we would because we have a $750 tax credit coming for some new windows we had installed before I moved out.

She said that was good because she's trying to figure out how to get the rest of the windows paid off.

This was remarkable in that when I was home, taking care of the finances, she never thought more than a day ahead. If she liked/wanted/needed something, she bought it. Now, she's being forced to think long-term.

BUT it also shows she continues to plan ahead for life without me. So that was depressing.

Cake-eating issue today. D7 went to school but teacher called, saying she's too sick. W calls me to say she can't take the day off. She doesn't ask me to, instead she says D7 can go to a daycare place. D7 and D10 hate the place. D7 asks if she can go home with me when I pick her up.

I have a flexible job and a flexible boss so I say yes and I'm in right now gathering stuff up to work from home.

Some would say I'm letting W walk all over me. I think it's just being a good dad.