GIMA, no doubt she felt sad on her birthday. You sound like a class act by not getting the kids involved in it.
Thanks Sol. My #1 goal at this point is protecting them and providing for them as much as possible from now on.
I went through this as a child, and it is tough to accept how dismissive my W is about how they will be fine. I know she's likely trying to reduce her guilt, but it still makes me angry.