Thank you, GM - I sincerely appreciate your feedback. You are very correct - I need to narrow my focus to just the matter at hand which is making transitions better for son. I still have a very bad habit of getting too far ahead of myself in matters like this.
I am not a fan of drop-and-run when S is clearly struggling with his emotions. I just can't do it....it's bad for all parties involved. I get frustrated because sometimes I believe XW thinks that it is the best path to take - but I believe she feels that way because it means less time she has to actually see him physically struggling with the separation. It's literally sticking your head in the sand......I am not going to do that for him.
So in response to her earlier text about making the transition "positive and matter-of-fact" I responded:
Me: I would suggest we meet someplace and spend some time together interacting as a trio to make the transition easier -- then go our separate ways. He's usually a bit more happy with mom and dad both with him -- he loves us both.
XW: OK. Just talking with him this morning he was not pleased with the idea of coming back to me after my appointment. Must be nice to be the "preferred" on...LOL
Me: I'm grateful S and I have such an amazing bond. Two years ago I wasn't at all on a path that would have created that.
XW: I'm grateful too
Now, what I WANTED to say after that was that being "preferred" isn't all that great because I have to watch his sadness set in when he knows we are parting ways and have to try to comfort him as he tries his best not to cry. I kept those thoughts to myself. At any rate, it will be nice to see him happy with both of us today even if it is just for a little bit.
