I am sorry that you are here, but this is a great place to be. My husband walked out on me in Jul 2011 and we reconciled February 2012. Things are better but not quite great. During our separation he told me that he was not returning and for me to move on with my life. It was hard for to accept. He told me to give up hope, however I didn't. That was the only thing that I had at that time. When I started to move on with my life, he came walking back. He thought being a single parent would be a piece of cake. He was now responsible for cleaning his apartment, feeding and bathing our daughter. That was something he did not do when were together. Now, he appreciates everything I do and he helps a little bit more.
My first husband once told me after we were divorce that he could not do everything such as cleaning the house, cooking and taking care of the kids by himself and I looked at him and said, you expected me to do it. He was speechless, but he knew I was right.
Your children are old enough to have some chores. Make a chore list for each of them and at the end of the week if they kept up on their chores then reward with something, such as ice cream. Develop a routine for them. They need that more than ever now. BTW, you are not that old, you still have your life ahead of you. Get out there and enjoy the world.
