Alpha - the future is now!

[alpha99]

W called again. I decided to answer first time as I've done enough letting it ring out for one day.

She wanted to drop the kids off with me at 6.30am or so tomorrow so she can go to work. She says she hasn't yet looked at my proposed plan for childcare. I said I could help out as a one off but she seemed to understand I wasn't keen on it (I'm not, I'd rather have a plan) and so ultimately she said she'd leave it. Due to this she will have to pay for the kids to go to breakfast club and afterschool club at school. Again, I can't be the last minute, on call, save the day kind of guy. I hope this stance is helping her to feel the consequences of her choices as it will inconvenience her having to travel to and from school as well as cost her to pay for 2 children in the various clubs a few times a week.

Update: I wrote the above earlier but didn't post it. Since then W has replied to my email saying 'that sounds fine.'

Result! We have a parenting plan in place, something written down, agreed upon, and stored safely. I know it's not legally binding but should she try and pull a fast one later down the line then at least I can say you didn't mind me looking after them at X moment, look!

Due to the arrangements made, this in theory means I should only see my W twice a week at weekends when we exchange children. That's going to make detaching and implementing LRT fully a whole lot easier.

Finally, a little tip: anyone looking to GAL should check out ... I've joined a few groups and should I desire to I could be doing something 3-5 times a week, meeting new people and making friends in the process. Locally there's pub quizzes, an easter night out planned, cinema trips, walking meet ups, museum tours, even a comedy group etc. Some of the people involved seem to be my age so I am going to dive into it and see what happens. A sure sign of change. As I've posted before, I have about 3-4 friends who I rarely see and it's been that way now for the last 7-8 years when we used to go out 'slightly' more frequently. I think Starksy's post on codependency and enmeshed relationship with W could be coming into play here. I'm quite proud of myself. I feel myself growing in confidence, ability. Whatever happens with my W, I am FINALLY ready to do what I've never really done - LIVE MY LIFE TO THE FULL!