"Going Dark" - 101

[Fender]

I am wondering if going dark right away is a good strategy for me. W is going to leave in New Year and says she wants her space. I can think of no better way to give her that space than to go dark.

I do wonder how to go dark with kids in the mix. For those of you that have used this method how did you overcome that issue. I mean with her coming by to see the kids or me dropping them off at her place, how can I go dark?