I intend to live forever - so far, so good

[ImprovedRomeo]

CTH, thanks for clarifying- I know we've discussed this in the past because I remember writing to you about it. However, I can't even come close to saying it as well as awest already has. I think she really hit it on the head. There's wisdom in her example for all of us with kids.

I too can pick up on the bitterness when you post something about STBXW. And it is understandable but when it comes to the kids you just have to do whatever it takes to put your personal bitterness aside and do the right thing for them. If you feel strongly that these issues can be addressed via email so be it but there will be times when you will need to pick up the phone and call her in the future. It won't diminish you in anyway, in fact, if you can establish a basic cordial communication relationship with her on the topic of the kids within some established boundaries it will only make you look better in her and most importantly your kids eyes. And even more importantly it'll benefit your kids who are the innocent by standers in all of this.

I never ever bad mouth STBXW in fact I say quite the opposite because I never want DD to think I dislike her mother. I know she doesn't bad mouth me either but she will say stuff to DD that I wouldn't. In fact, it happened recently and I can cover that in my thread. But the bottomline is it's a process and whatever else is going on in our lives affects all this- happens to me too but you just have to make sure whatever you do doesn't affect the kids now or long term. If you can't see a counselor get a book from the library e.g. Sand Castles or The single dad's handbook etc.

Sorry, I can't write more or better. I have to run to play with DD and make dinner.