I posted my 'story' in the newcomers section this morning, but as far as I can tell, it hasn't been approved yet, so without any back story... there was bad behavior by all parties, including myself.
Short version... he's 'step dad,' but the ONLY "Dad" my kids have ever known. For years, he told me, "Those are MY kids. They're MY sons."
Once he left, now it's "You broke me of that thought."
When they want to talk to him, one of my neighbors sends him a text and lets him know they want to talk to him and he usually calls within 5 minutes and talks to them.
Last week, he called and told our oldest that he was going to pay for the boy's field trip to Lego Land that Friday. I don't know if he did or not.
The next night, the boys wanted to talk to him, and when he called, he sounded drunk, but he told them that he hadn't slept in 2 days and that he'd try to pick them up that weekend.
We never heard from him.
Should I have my neighbor contact him and tell our son to ask him about the field trip and when he's picking them up? Or should I just pay for the field trip myself and let my kids just wonder why "Dad" isn't calling, or seeing them, or what?
This is the hardest part for me. Him just 'ditching' the kids. I try to tell myself that maybe it just hurts him too much to see them and talk to them but there is always that nagging feeling that he really doesn't feel any connection to them anymore.
How could anyone just 'turn off' their love for a child they parented?
