1) Should I help her connect with the kids? My daughter especially misses her.
I would say that you should help your D8 connect with her mom. Your focus should be on D8 not on her mother. You need to be the best DAD you can be. You have to worry about your kids and you. Not W.
OP,
Did you mean "Should Not" ???
I am hoping you did...
Those kind of relationships need to be forged by the person seeking them.
I wouldn't try to keep it from happening, but I certainly would NOT try to push it on them. That is her deal in life.
Can you see how pushing that would be considered controlling and manipulative ?
I would put concern into YOUR relationship with your daughter, the only thing YOU have control over.....