1. Single Mom – Chapter 3

2. It’s been four months since I left, and I thought
things were getting better. Paul saw them every
weekend, and although the exchanges were not
friendly, they were cordial. I would try and make
pleasant conversation, Paul would respond with a
few short words and no eye contact. Needless to
say, when I got served with child custody papers I
wasn’t exactly surprised.

3. I didn’t want a court battle. What purpose would it
serve? I didn’t want Mark and Billy to feel guilty that
their parents were fighting over them. I didn’t want our
dirty laundry aired in public in the attempt to get an
“edge” over one another. I had been nothing but
accommodating with his visitation rights, and this is how
he repays me? Visitation rights, that sounds bad. Paul is
their father and he loves them, and now I’m using terms
like visitation rights, like he has committed some crime,
or he isn’t worthy to spend time with his children.

4. I’d like to think we can come to an agreement without going to
court. Am I willing to swallow my pride and meet his demands
halfway? What if he wants full custody? I’m willing to take his
children away from him, but I’m not willing to allow him to do the
same to me. Does that make me a great mother, but a horrible
person? Or, a horrible mother and a horrible person? In the
absence of physical or emotional abuse, is it possible to not feel
like the scum of the Earth in this position?
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