Two issues are important here. First, who owns the house? Unless your state recognizes common law marriages, if you moved into a house he owned, he can ask you to leave. You likely would benefit from talking to an attorney if your state recognizes common law marriages or if the house is jointly owned. You may be entitled to an interest in his house if you helped make mortgage payments.

Second, quite often the first one to file seeking an order for custody, visitation, child support, division of assets that may be jointly owned and division of any joint indebtedness has an advantage. If you cannot afford to rent or buy a place closer to the father of the children, going to stay with your family seems to make sense -- especially if more job opportunities are there.

He seems to think he will be making all the decisions. My suggestion is to put the shock behind you, talk to an attorney and do what is best for you and the children. When the going gets tough reminding yourself you are looking our for the best interests of the children is useful.