The other shoe dropped...

Well, we waited through three weeks of radio silence for the response we knew was coming. We waited, so long I had moments of hope that maybe it wouldn't come this year. Perhaps, after over a decade, we wouldn't continue to have the same conversations over and over again. Alas, all my hopes were for naught.

The other shoe dropped on Wednesday when Keith started getting text messages from the kid's mom about the summer visitation. The hurtful intent behind these messages combined with how the kids must be feelings makes this even harder.

What we know about this situation is even if the kids are bored at times at our house it is their right to have a relationship with their father that is not based on parameters set by their mother or even themselves, when we all know they are at an age developmentally where they may not be able to make decisions based on their own best interests. (Interestingly enough research shows that the ability to think critically is not fully developed until around 25 years old!) Also, they should never have to be in the position to choose between what they think their father wants and what they think their mother wants. That is the purpose of a judge deciding visitation for them and putting it in a order. So it is clear to everyone involved that time with both parents is best for children and they should be able to count on that time.

We are continuing to develop our skills at staying calm and attempting to work out those situations we can and to weather those we can not work out. We also are bound and determined to have a good time with the kids starting today and for the next week and then on alternating weeks through this summer break.