How does one GAL with young kids at home? I don't want to be accused of abandoning the kids to do my own thing. Do I ask H to watch the kids or do I make plans, announce I'm leaving and go?
How old are your kids?
Personally, I think it is extremely rude for one parent to make plans and just assume the other parent will watch the kids. Some GAL activities can include the kids. For the others, I would tell H you have plans on X day at Y time and ask if he will be around to take care of the kids. If yes, great. If not, get a babysitter.
It wouldn't hurt to have a back up plan for if he says he can watch them and then isn't around when you need to leave.
If that happens, I would switch in the future to telling H you are going out and have arranged for a babysitter (although probably better if it's for someone who can watch the kids at his or her house, because it could get awkward if H is home at the same time as the sitter).
Me: 44 H: 44 Kids: 20, 16, 16, and 10 Together/Married: 22 years H announced he was emotionally detached and considering D: 4/4/16 H announced he is going to try to stay and reconnect: 5/1/16
