[DivorcedWoman]

I'm so frustrated and so not trying to take things personally but I am. My son started a new school this year and I now have 50/50 custody so people can't necessarily question why my ex has more custody, etc. then me. My ex stayed in the house and I moved to an apartment in the town next to him. My son is going to the school where his house is located. I actually live in a more affluent community than him with better schools, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to buy a place etc. and the school is around the corner from his house.

I've called many different parents and planned many play dates for my son. I've initiated every single play date. Not one parent has called me to initiate a play date. I got really hurt this last week when one of the parents has started doing play dates with our babysitter and my ex-husband but has not contacted me in a long time to have her son play with my son during my time.

I don't feel like I am doing something odd and my boyfriend has been present at many of these play dates and concurs that I am not acting strange.

So now I'm questioning what my nasty ex husband may be saying or doing. I know people get busy and have their own stuff to deal with, but I am sensitive and am questioning things when my son tells me he's having additional playdates with the same kids on daddy's time.

My ex is a very in your face kind of person so maybe he is initiating all of his play dates too, but something just doesn't seem right to me. My bf thinks he might be doing something and my counselor said it was odd to so I don't feel like I'm completely off base here.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice?

Thanks for listening.

[Leed]

Hi ~ I don't know what else you can do that you've haven't done already. You can't control what you're ex might be saying/doing. If he's that vindictive that he has to mean-mouth you to other people, that doesn't say much for him. People SHOULD be able to see thru that, but unfortunately many people don't. if any man said stuff like that to me about his ex-wife, I would think badly of the MAN, not the ex-wife.

Don't think of getting back at him because that will just blow up in your face -- and make you look REALLY bad. Just ignore the obvious, and keep trying to arrange play-dates for your son. Be the "better man" so to speak, and don't let it affect you. When people see that you aren't the person that HE'S trying to make you out to be, they'll come around.

I wish you the very best!!! It sounds like you're a great Mom. God bless. Hugs, Lee