In the past 3-4 years, I personally know of 5 couples - work, church, etc - where the mother had a mid-life crisis and walked away from her family. All of them involved little kids, some toddler-aged.
Granted, I don't know the entire story, but the dads in all cases seem to be decent guys.
Mrs WBill and I hear about incidents like these and are horrified. What kind of mother walks away - willingly, happily - from her kids? Little kids? I don't have the words for the contempt I feel for them.
In the 50s, women who did things like this would be outcast, and rightfully so. Now, our Brave New Liberal Society celebrates foolishness like this. "You Go Girl!!", "Who Needs A Man?" and such. Meanwhile, Dads are left to figure out what to do, and the kids wonder why Mommy doesn't want to be with them.
Well ...
A mother who grew up being taught that KILLING your kids is a sacred right (or rite) might consider doing that.