Just revisiting this thread.

Well, we're three weeks post-separation and I realise that it's still early days but things are going well so far. The girls see their dad pretty much every day and sleep over on weekends when his roster allows.

There have been no tears and I made sure that the girls have never seen me upset. They have only ever seen their mum and dad being positive/enthusiastic about dad having a new house. I stay for a cup of tea at drop offs and XDP does the same here.

I got a bit worried yesterday when DD1 asked me when I was going to marry daddy. Had to explain that wouldn't be happening. Turned out that she just fancied the idea of being flower girl. Might have been a bit early but floated the idea that when she is much older I might get married to someone else. Her words: "I wouldn't mind that at all mum as long as I get to be flower girl and as long as daddy can see you getting married too."

So, I realise that there is still the potential for the girls to be upset down the track, but as far as starts go, I think we've made a pretty good one. XDP is 1.5km away, less than a 5 min drive and walking distance away for the girls when they're older.

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and making me alert to the fact that excitement at the outset and then sadness when it sinks in is to be expected. Hugs to all of you for whom the sadness is lingering.