Persistent Endurance (Part 2)

[curtis7]

TF, neffer, & R2C,

Thanks for the responses. I just replied to her email mostly asking for clarification and buying more time.

I haven't commented on the horse situation yet. It's our property, but she is the one that made the choice to leave. The question is when should she start feeling the pain of that decision including access to the kids.

Answered this one a little softer than R2C advised: "Thanks for the offer, I'm perfectly capable of managing MY HOUSE"

I need some time to mull this over and decide on my boundaries. This is kind of a catch 22. If she's around on a daily basis, then she can see my 180s and GAL, but there's not much opportunity to create a void and miss me plus I'm baking a massive amount of cake. Rapidly approaching a serious tough love decision.

Hopefully, I'm getting better at validation, here was my reply:

"I can see that a schedule needs to be set for the kids for the reasons you noted. We should make sure they have time with both of us because they need that."

"Could you help me better understand the drop off and pick up plans? Are you saying that whoever does the overnight drops off at school and whoever has the overnight picks up from school?"

"I see where you're coming from on advanced notice for schedule changes that pop up."

"Tell me more about what you suggest on weekend days? Are you asking if we are still keeping them all day at the overnight house on the weekends?"

"It must have been a really hectic and stressful week for you with the move. It sounds like the kids are excited by the newness. I'll think about your offer to help take care of the property. I know that you will have a lot going on at your house the next few weeks and I am capable."

"I will need some more time to process the schedule."