What should I be doing now (Time to Move on?)

[Coconut]

So dropped my son off at the airport after being here for a week, it is incredible how nice it was just having him around. He's a teenager (17) so he's off in his own world most of the time, but just sitting together watching TV (when we weren't doing things) felt normal. I realized that I'm really happy with my life in NC, but I really do miss being an involved Father.

He did initiate a real heart to heart conversation, we talked about his personal life, he acknowledged lessons I've taught him over time and how he uses that knowledge in his life, then he told me about his R with his mom. He told me that he doesn't have a good R with her, that she acts different around other people, like they have such a great R, but he doesn't feel close to her at all. That when home, they both stay in their rooms, they don't really interact and get into a lot of arguments when talking. It's so bad, he talked to their sensei (they both do karate) and his sensei sat with them both like a intermediary, he said it helped for a couple of weeks, but then went back to the way it was.

He said she's just not the same, that for the last 1 1/2 to 2 years (about BD time) she's different and he's just biding his time till he can move out. It really cemented for me that I just don't want to be with the new her, EVER... It tears me up inside to hear this from him, but luckily he has a great social life and really is well rounded.

It was a very difficult conversation for me, because I really wanted to give him some insight to why she is the way she is, but I don't want to interfere with their R. I just told him that R's, even parent - child, go through cycles, and not to give up on her, take his space, spend time with his friends and my family, and not to harden his heart. He basically followed up with he just can't wait to move out and she is going to fall apart when he does.

My mother also came up with my two nieces for the week, so I went from a full house to an empty house in the span of two hours, they are all gone now and I'm taking today to readjust back to my new normal, so I'm a bit sad right now, but feeling more motivated than ever to be better, my son just inspires me so much.

Georgia, nice to see you, thanks for stopping by.