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一位中年老美朋友的忠告:
“As I said back then - her choice is ultimately selfish - this guy over you - but I am not surprised by her choice. Her refusal to terminate the relationship months ago revealed her preference.
I‘m glad your future looks OK. Financial ruin would not be fair though it is often the result, even when the other party chose the separation.
More importantly, I’m glad you’re finding success in your health - both mental and physical.
Most importantly, I’m glad joint custody is part of the deal. I would press for joint physical custody (though I’m not a lawyer and not sure how it works in California). My ex had primary physical custody, though we had joint custody. What the law intended was that we make joint decisions for the kids.
What it meant in practical terms is that she made all the decisions, refused to tell me anything, and would send me a bill if the decision had a cost. Further, she refused every single extra day that I asked to see the kids. Every single one. It was an exercise in power and control.
My attorney didn’t see that coming, telling me that the ex would agree to contact with the kids beyond the minimum stipulated in the decree. But my ex, predictably, saw the days stipulated as a maximum, which she used as a blunt instrument to punish me, denying every request for more time, or rescheduling, as punishment, or a way to extract more money.
True joint custody would be my recommendation. Selfish people (like my ex, and by appearances, your wife) will be tempted to use the children, and your time with them, as leverage, to extract more money from you, or to punish you for whatever reason. Once she realizes that the lifestyle you provided is in jeopardy- she will be tempted to use whatever “tools” she can to try and restructure the financial part of the deal. This set of “tools” includes your time with your kids. It also includes tempting the kids with easier academic and social standards, so they resent you and see her as the “easy” parent. I’ve seen it all. And it’s all ugly.
Go slowly and carefully into separation and divorce. Things that were agreed to can get twisted. Establish rights, responsibilities, and boundaries.
And remember to take care of yourself. Keep getting counseling. Keep going to the gym. Keep eating healthy. It’s the best course, and…
Someday, and soon, there will be a lady who notices the fit, confident, successful dad at the gym…and she will find that set of characteristics to be very attractive... 😉” |
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