PF - oh no!! Jim, I'm sure there are some great women in your locale. But they may just not be on that site right now. Lovely to hear about your decorating progress. It is so great when kids are so excited about their rooms. SS was really pleased to be able to choose a colour for his room when he was about nine. He chose a vibrant turquoise...which I was privately a bit doubtful about but of course never said....but looked lovely!

As for your Dad. We never quite lose that parental dynamic do we? My Dad just doesn't listen sometimes....drives me nuts. Have you ever had a look at David Servan-Screiver's STABEN technique? I have found his stuff helpful. The principle is to be assertive with 'difficult' convos, without alienating someone. The phrase that popped into my head with your Dad was - Thanks for your perspective Dad - I appreciate it. I'll give that some thought...

Sounds like you are doing well anyway - and glad that the 'normalising' with your W has continued. I agree - who knows where your sitch might go - but you know already that you will be co-parents and it is good for that in any case.

Take care Jim ((Jim))

T 13 M 7
Me 48 H 46
SS 15
BD 7.14 PA
D final 5.16 (H filed)

We receive & we lose, and must try to achieve gratitude & embrace with whole hearts whatever of life that remains after the losses - Dubus