My kids are very lucky — about six years ago, their father (now my ex-husband) and I bought a small second home on a lake, which he still owns. Every other weekend, he takes Friday off from his very busy business and drives the kids over three hours north to spend quality time with them: boating, fishing, grilling, and building fires.
He looks so forward to it and works really hard so he can afford this extra time off during the summer months. And as my kids get older and are in the midst of their teen years, the less they want to share this adventure with him.
They complain
It’s my choice
I choose to give some things up and hold some things in order to show my kids a healthy co-parenting relationship. It’s also given me the gift of peace, compassion, and knowing that if I need my ex to have my back, he will. No questions asked.
