Anonymous wrote:I separated from XH due to emotional and financial abuse and isolation. Long story, I was and continue to be very wronged. I was an excellent SAHM for many years and my kids had a solid foundation of love and active parenting.
After I separated, I got a job. Due to the financial abuse and XH's manipulation and lies, I ended up moving to an area I could afford and is closer to my workplace and farther from the kids. I still have them every weekend and a weekday dinner, but I let them live with their dad M-F so they could keep their same schools. Dad said he would move to the area I moved to (which is why I agreed to move) but that turned out to be a lie.
XH has been extremely aggressive in divorce (divorce abuse: excessive filings and refusal to budge in mediation, keeping the kids on weekends he wants them without my approval). As a result, the process has dragged on for 2 years so far.
At this point the kids are used to this schedule and these homes. I had asked for increased time and joint custody but am starting to wonder if I should just give up. Kids seem ok because they still see me regularly, I go to any evening school events I can and am in regular contact with the one who is old enough to have a phone.
XH is the type who will *always* take more and has no boundaries and so I have to protect against him. Even if I'm ok with just weekends since kids are all doing ok, my fear is if I agree to keep things status quo, he'll then try to move them since he's now primary physical parent.
I don't know how I ended up like this and it is very hard for me. I gave up a career to be a mom and have worked hard to support myself with no financial assistance from family or government and it all seems to have worked against me in the divorce process.
YOU NEED to move back and go to court for 50-50. You aren't reasonable to expect him and the kids to pick up and move, especially when he's working. Don't do medication, file and let a judge decide.