Another interesting comments she made when she was panicking after the mediator said she would be expected to work more was:

"I have only worked 2 days/week for 20 years and I need to be around for my kids. I need to pick them up from school. My one friend said I can expect to not have to work since that is my 'lifestyle', and my brother in law had to pay SIL $$$$ and she didn't work"

Mediator's response: Things will change and this is a consequence of living apart in two separate households. Also, it is OK to talk to people, but don't make assumptions based upon others' situation because the slightest difference in the scenario can have an impact on the settlement/support amount...

I know this. The SIL she was referring to had no job and no job skills, so my BIL had to pay her a lot while she got training in some area. My W is skilled but just chooses to only leverage those skills part time.

We have all the grandparents and aunts and uncles in town, and I have 2 teenagers that drive also. Yes, I would love to have a W who would stay home and care for my children, but when you decide you want to be single there are REAL consequences - your life can't just remain as close to the same as possible and the kids not impacted. She also has this fantasy that if we just alternately left the house and each had our own place that it doesn't impact the kids. Huh? Mom and Dad don't live with us at the same time anymore? Why?

ME/XW:47
S21, D19, S15, S14
M:21 T:26
W moved 6/10 I filed 7/10 D final 4/12 remarried 8/12
W wants to R 12/10 and 4/11 but I decline