Thanks Wannabe and EJ - great that you have such a positive experience too, fab for you all. Hilariously I remember being really excited when SM hit the scene as I had no guilt to anyone else as my mum had passed away several years prior. I do wonder how much of the organising the woman does of catching up etc just generally??? Cos I am sure my Dad wouldn't bother unless we did.

L&B - You are right and I appreciate you sharing your experience. I guess I have been hanging in there hoping it would change and semi accepting it. The main thing for me is wanting a relationship with my Dad, but he is clear that is not something he needs or wants. My main focus is the girls and making sure that they are not exposed to the same experience of two sets of rules and then left wondering what they could have done differently/better etc. I certainly try to live by the life is too short rule too. Except for this.