1day, I do things with them alone all the time. Yesterday we went to the city amusement park and then to the wildlife sanctuary. We had a blast, but they miss the interaction with the extended family my ex had formed. Now I feel it's my responsibility to make up for it. Financially, I can't do it all, but my kids miss the camping trips and off-road races and get togethers that he isn't doing with them any more. I'm also not a social butterfly, so hosting parties for my kids and their friends is a big stress inducer. I want to get over that, but it's hard.

Another thing I'm finding harder and harder to get around is the boy versus girl things. What my son wants to do, my daughter doesn't, and vice versa.

Do you ever get the feeling that everyone is in their own little bubble and are oblivious to the world around them? That's the feeling I get, except for the people at mall kiosks who are constantly trying to get you to buy a new cell phone plan or try their ring cleaner or hand lotion. I get excited when someone like that starts talking to me, then I remember they're just trying to get money from me.