I am about to undertake mediation with my ex to go over the logistics and specifications of Spousal Support, Child Support and Child Custody Arrangements...  I am not looking forward to any of this!!  And although I no longer wish to be WITH my ex, I am sad that he truely believes that it's now all about the money...  <sigh>  I am so frustrated, because I'm only trying to think about what is best for everybody, and he thinks that I'm all out for the money!!  :(  I mean, Sure...  I'm concerned, and trying to look out for myself, but my #1 priority is what is best for my 3 sons!!  I have never stood in my ex's way when concerning the children as he IS their father, and I think that his envolvement in their lives is quite important, however, I also feel the need to shelter them away from unexpected schedule changes, and such...  I think what is best for their stability is a consistant environment with routine and structure...  My ex seems to think that we'll build the schedule one week at a time!!  :(  <shaking head>  I have been the primary parent since the day we brought them home!  I have been the stay-at-home mom with my routine and schedules...  And I have been slowly watching my oldest son getting angrier and angrier evertime he gets ripped out of his cycle...  <sigh>  yet I can't get my ex to see what I see...  He just accuses me of trying to keep them away from him...  <pouting>  The other thing that really bothers me is the fact that my ex is a sole proprietor, and his work schedule is always fluctuating!!  So what happens when I end up having the kids full time when he's workign on his job?!  Because I know for a fact that he won't be taking any of them on overnights or visits while he's working on a big job!!  I just hate all of this... <sigh>

Well, been there done that, and it will not go away until the children turn 18.  Sorry for the bad news, but the good news is you don't have to answer questions anymore after this.  Just say look it up in your papers and go on your way.  If worse comes to worse, tell him to take them shopping for their clothes, shoes, food; tell him to find the time to take them to and from practices.  Just tell him you'll make a list of everything they need weekly (unless something comes up unexpectedly which will of course be at the point of your knowing); otherwise, the only other method to make things as easy on him as possible is to make one monthly payment so that he and his new other do not have to hear your voice or see your face.  You wouldn't want her to get the idea that he was what????cheating on her.

See, been there, already wore the t-shirt out and burned it, lmao

Okay...  First session of Mediation over with, and I survived!  LOL  And to top it all off, my romantic interest (Ryan) is back from Montana, and I think we're going to get together for dinner tomorrow night!  YEAY!!!  Mediation was different that I was expecting, but I don't really know what I was expecting, so I guess this is a moot point!  LOL  I did end up getting emotional at a couple of instances, and at the end, I excused myself from the process to leave as I was getting frustrated and upset, and I hate making decisions that will effect my life when I'm that way...  So I ditched a touch early to 'cool off'...  We're going back next Tuesday...  Same Time, Same Place... <sigh>  I hope more is resolved, otherwise, I think I'm going to get really frustrated with the whole process....  My ex really upset me...  But what's new, ey?!  LOL  

So I just wanted to comment a follow-up... <sigh>  I COULD really use a hug today tho!  LOL  ;)

Love and Happiness to all!!

Sincerely,
Cory

sweetie here is a huge hug...much love and huggies

Thank You so much!!  I just also want to ad that since the mediation session, my ex has been treating me with an unusual amount of actual respect!!!  There may be hope afterall!!  LOL  YEAY!!!  Ha Ha Ha

Love to all!
Cory