Kids can be more resilient than we realize. It's been 7 years since my divorce. 2 things came up this school year out of the mouth of my now 14 year old. First was during a high school interview, the guidance counselor at one of the schools told me that he mentioned one of the hardest things was when his father left us. I filed for divorce, by the way. I've had restraining orders. I've been assaulted, but he sees it like that. Second was telling me in a sarcastically serious way that he doesn't have a father.

My ex used to try to hold similar things over me. Just something to think about.