First off, thank you. I will read that link.

Secondly, I have left the house when the kids have friends over provided:
- the other parents know and are ok with it.
- there is an older kid left in charge.
- it's not for long
- I'm not far. Last night I was across the street visiting.

Thirdly..... This is hard today. My wife showed up unannounced to pick up some things. Prior to that she was "flexing" telling me I had to vacate her house, she was going to charge me rent to remain, she was assuming equal parental rights, etc.

She got her first dose of reality today. The kids texted her saying; no further contact, we're staying with Dad. When she tried to insist her will on the oldest he threatened her with harassment charges. I told her, I neither can or will stop him. As she said, he's nearly an adult, and this is his choice and I will verify every true thing he says. She threatened the separation agreement was pending from her lawyer. I reminded her, she had to truthfully advise her lawyer of the kids' chosen guardian.

I offered to move her belongings to storage for one month and she could retrieve them as she was able.

As much as I say reality hit her, the financial reality did, I think.

She remains convinced that I manipulated the kids against her. She's being victimized by me.

She's a mentally ill, injured, damaged person. I have felt and feel enormous guilt for her life situation.

But, I can't save us all. I warned her for years that she was damaging the kids and her relationships. For that I was "tearing her apart".

I hate that she's in pain, that the kids are in pain, and that she can't see her own contributions to all this.

RDM