Yikes! Need help, please.

[TrentC]

My intent wasn't to guilt him, I just thought maybe I should tell him the truth about how they are really doing.

But that's how he will take it. This is the guy who said to stop letting the kids call because it upset him, right?

I'd hate for him to think they are hunky dory when they are the exact opposite of that.

He knows; he's heard their phone calls. His "how are the kids doing?" is small talk to him.