Onwards and upwards!

[newmama]

P, first and foremost, I can tell you are a loving, devoted dad and another example that proves that is you questioning whether your decision to return the card was intended to punish W or not. JUST QUESTIONING shows you are truly trying to do what's best for D.


But something you said struck me- D deserves stable relationships in her life. It makes complete sense. If you do not plan to encourage a relationship between D and W IF you divorce, then there isn't need to try and keep one now.

I also was thinking but didn't post that maybe you could ask D if she wanted the gift and card. And you did...so now I wonder something else..does she know she can return W's gift?
Oh and I see why you "let" MIL give a gift to D. Makes sense again-MIL didn't hurt D.

Now I hope you don't expect anything to happen if D accepts the gift and calls to thank them. You said you wanted to see if a gesture will be returned. What do you think could happen? What are you expecting to see? Will W reach out to see D? Do not think that it will mean she wants to see you too. My sitch is an example of WH wanting to stay in S's life but 6 months later has not shown an interest in reaching out to me.

Just sharing! Oh and do you still think W is "fighting" to keep in touch with D? I know you reflected on the past with examples of no Christmas card or condolence card. But that was the past and this is more recent.