I did it. I sat my three children down and talked to them.
I told them things were changing again. I asked them if they remembered when Daddy told them he needed some grown-up space and privacy. They said yes. I asked them if they remembered that we started taking turns taking care of them because we both love them very much. They said yes. Then I told them that Daddy had decided he needed more space and that he was moving out of this house. I told them that they would have rooms and toys and clothes in both places and both homes were "theirs". I explained that they would go back and forth.
D6 was very practical. She asked if it was a house and I told her that I thought Daddy had found an apartment. She asked where and I gave her a general idea. S5 started to cry and told me that he would miss me when he went to Daddy's. I told him that I would miss him too, and that whenever he is with one parent he can always call the other whenever he wants to. I told him that Daddy loves him very much too. He asked why I was crying and I told him that I am sad too but we would all be ok. And I smiled at him.
I told them we both love them very much. I told them this is not their fault. And then I hugged the hell out of them.
I'm still standing. PEI
God bless you, PEI. You're a wonderful mother, and your kids are blessed to have you looking out for them!
