WAW w/Exit Affair or WW? - Divorced Anyway (5)

[BL42]

Good discussion on the parent teacher conference...

kml/DnJ,

Reading to and with kids is important. Since you may not be able to count on ex for that, make it a big part of your time together with S6.

I agree with kml. Making reading a fun time with Dad. Lots of benefits from that.

Couldn't agree more about reading. I'll certainly make it more of a priority. I've It's a little challenging as a single parent to read age appropriate for both 6.5yo and 3yo kids, but my parents are in town to assist as well which is great for the kids (and me).

Hallway Walk / Awkward Silence...

To LH & Vapo's point, I certainly did not want to talk to her. During the initial period of BD/OM1/IHS I was mostly stunned and sad and depressed and fearful of losing my family, but then OM2 and separation and D I'm more angry at her for breaking up our family and making kids go back and forth and moving OM2 in with the kids almost immediately. I've lost respect of her and now think of her as a woman of low integrity, and I wish this behavior was not being modeled for my kids.

But to Ginger & DnJ's point, maybe a brief comment or two regarding S6's schooling would've been warranted to break the ice, and would help the kids moving forward (though in this case the kids weren't around to witness). As I said, we were very cordial and business like during the conference with the teacher. We were "adults" so to speak.

And the after conference hallway walk was probably the first encounter we've had alone since maybe ExW moving out a year and a half ago. I don't know. It's tough. It's awkward and uncomfortable. I assume over time it will get easier. You'll all right in that my children are so young it's going to be a LONG road ahead.

On a personal note, I detest the idea of blended families. That is a magical Hollywood fantasy. Blech! I ain’t anywhere close to suggesting you and XW sing Kumbaya all together.

ExW told me when she was moving out that we'd still all go out for ice cream or walks and spend birthdays and holidays together (not that I'd want to), and then a few weeks or a month later had a separate party for then D2 with OM2's family and sneaking him over after even her dad and step mom left (they circled back and got his plates and did a background check on him...). So no chance of a blended family with ExW & OM2 anytime soon (again, no chance I'd want to regardless).

I think BL deserves some slack for not wanting to have idle chit chat with a woman who is on OM2 before they were divorced. He’s a little over a year into it and it will take some time.

I think you are doing just fine BL. It’s hard to navigate with young young kids. And if I can impart anything from what I did wrong or right, I will and you can take or leave any of my advice.

You are doing great BL. Have a wonderful weekend.

There’s already been much discussion about goal posts for the future—I just wanted to note that you handled the current situation well. You didn’t mind read much where she’s at, and you were open to heading and considering her opinions during the conference.

Always appreciate the kind words. It's good to know others who have been through this think I'm doing well. I think I am too, but also think it takes time...