It was really timely because D16 and S14 were really rattled by something that happened in the car when their dad was picking them up from school yesterday.
The car has a phone system that displays caller name and broadcasts the call audio.
Yesterday was his birthday - so we were all on tenterhooks to see how to cope with it.
What happened was that the phone rang and a female name unknown to the kids popped on screen. He answered and a young girls' voice started to sing 'Happy birthday'.
He thanked her and asked about school etc. A young boy's voice could be heard in the background. H asked him about Minecraft ( a game that my son loves to play). It was obvious H has a pretty close relationship with these kids. My own kids were deeply hurt and upset by this. They don't know who these kids are - but they seem to have taken over their relationship with their dad.
I suspect they are OW's niece and nephew.
I'm tempted to speculate that H answered this call in front of them because D16 and S14 have shown their reluctance to go to H's new 'home' - OW's apartment - with H, and neither will they go out to dinner with him (where he wants to introduce them to OW). He is very retaliatory - just like a 2-y-old.
I'm trying to pick up the pieces with them now. I appreciate your advice, and will tell them that it's Ok to feel hurt and angry.
