I was walking with a group of teenage girls, down by the water on a beautiful spring day, when a man walked by holding hands with two adorable tiny little kids, one on each side of him.
He was tenderly but matter of factly stating the new program.
That is right, some days you will be staying with mommy and some days with daddy.
Over the Christmas break I took my firstborn to her doctor. She had not been feeling right for a few months. She was anxious, sad and very tired. I had offered lists and strategies throughout the Fall, as I am prone to do, of sure fire ways to feel better. Nothing seemed to work. Because she is 20, I drop her at the doctors. I do not go in with her, I do not hold her lovingly on my lap, I do not speak for her, I do not protect her, I do not manage next steps. Instead, I go grocery shopping and hope for the best.