I pay a good chunk every month and I see my kids twice a week. She stays home and I'm out here working 50 hours a week. The amount they set is more than half my rent. I know it's for the kids but man does it sting when I see her posting vacations on Instagram. How do you guys deal with this mentally? I don't want my kids to sense my frustration.
That's a heavy situation. What helped me was talking to other co-parenting dads about how they handle the financial piece. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone makes it easier to move forward.
The bitterness will eat you up if you let it. I've been there. Focus on making those twice a week visits count for your kids instead of dwelling on what's leaving your account.
I get it man, it's tough when the numbers don't feel fair. But try to remember you're paying for your kids to have stability, not for her. That shift in perspective helped me a lot.
This is the trap though right? You're paying for support AND covering the actual expenses and time with the kids. Meanwhile you're working full time just to make the payment. It's mentally exhausting.
Twice a week and a good chunk of income is a lot. The bitterness is natural but try to focus on those twice a week moments being quality time. That's what matters to your kids.
I get it. The financial sting plus the time limitation is rough. Try to shift your mindset to seeing the money as an investment in your kids even if it's going through her. Easier said than done I know.
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The bitterness will eat you alive man. I know the situation feels unfair but dwelling on it just ruins those moments you do have with them. Talk to someone about it if you haven't already.