Of course I helped in the household, and with the kids too, but I was gone 4-5 x per year, 2-3 weeks at a time, in the US, working. That does not include the other occasional business trips.
My W and kids certainly did not get the attention and love that a physically present H/dad could give.
My W is also an exaggerator. I helped renovate the house too, but she did much more: if I say that I helped too she usually beats me back saying that she did most of it.
I am proud of what I did for the renovation (often the dirty, heavier work). I go to a parent meeting tonight.
How to balance the facts with her feelings seems to be the trick, and as Mr. B pointed out, the sense of abandonment must be rough. No wonder she wants to abandon me to sleep downstairs.
L
I wrote, or tried to, emails every day.
M58, xW54 S22, D18 M 1984, D 2016 Living a new life.
