The one thing I've noticed and this may sound weird is that I think I've become an even better parent since the XW moved away. Before I was trying to juggle being a dad with doing my own thing. Now when I have the kids I am 100% on with them and nothing else comes up because I know 50% of my time I'm without them so I can do my thing and get the other chores done at those times.
I have noticed this in myself as well. I am much more focused on my kids now than I was. I think it was because my W was always the one doing the "hugging" so to speak, so I just let her play out that role while I tried to fill the gaps other places. Now, I'm like "I want some hugs too!"
But it's also because of the 50/50 split, and I have plenty of "me time," not to mention the fact that I have significantly less stress in my life.
