My Story

[Ready2Change]

My 2 Cents:

W: I have been thinking, and I know this is not what you want to hear, but I believe it is best if we separate.

You have heard her. Now you support her. You ask her how soon she can move out and what you can do to help.

W....but sometimes I feel like a single parent..

Might be a red flag for you. My X pulled this BS on me. I was more involved than she was. Step up your parenting game. I assume you want 50/50 if you split. Until you have a written parenting agreement in place, be involved more than 50% of the time. Let her go out on Friday nights, Saturday nights etc. Have fun cooking dinner with the kids and watch movies or whatever is age appropriate. Take all the kids out (diner or movies or whatever) during the weekdays and leave mom at home to do whatever she wants.

I am not up for trying to make things "better." I have felt this way for a long time. I can't do it. I'm not happy.

Confidently accept your current reality. Project to her that you will be happy without her.

H: Did you ever think....Do you think......How do you.... Another relationship?...No relationship?

Those should be your last questions. You may slip. but now is the time to stop.

H: I would like some time to process this.

Best response ever.

She wants to go through mediation

You do not need mediation until you disagree on something. Take this time to clarify what you would like to see. Wait for her to make the first proposal. Get legal advise.

Do some research on mediators, find 3 you like and send her the list. ask her to pick one. Let her know if she doesn't like any of yours, to find 3 others that she likes and you will take a look at them. Do this before she initiates anything else. I strongly suggest in the next few days.

She wouldn't want the boys to see that.

Use this to your advantage.