My children’s dad left me (by email) 3 years ago. He was in the middle of a huge midlife crisis and I had been focusing on our then 15 yo daughter who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at age 11. I’m sure I had not given him enough attention and I struggled with depression as we tried to get daughter on the right meds and to attend school. That was a big shock to me. He always said he was happily married. However, he had reconnected with a high school friend and they had started a relationship (found that out later via FB).
He was attentive and active in the kids’ lives while he lived in the area. He promised us he would not move until our son graduated from high school (son is a freshman this year). 1 1/2 years ago he announced he was moving to live with his new wife (married girlfriend who lived 2 1/2 hours away and they lived apart for a year). So my Tuesday/Thursday and every other weekend break came to an end. Step mom does not understand my daughter’s illness. Why would someone with a mentally ill child marry someone who refused to go to Family to Family and learn about the disease?
Long story short…kids dad is slowly phasing out of their lives and I’m left to raise and support my mentally ill child (who is doing great!) by myself. He travels with his new family and does not drive to their town to visit them. He only sees them if they travel to where he lives now.
So…I’m angry, bitter and frankly, pissed off. I would like to have the freedom to travel and not worry about my adult child (19). I work daily to let go and know that I’m doing what’s best for my kids.
Is this normal? I’m beginning to enjoy my limited life but the resentment creeps in when I least expect it.
Thanks for letting me vent.