"The woman (rightly so) will always put the child first, period."
I learned that the hard way too, the 1st time around.
The youger kids will also resent you more than likely for not being their original dad.
But when the chips are down you are an outsider.
I learned that the hard way too, the 1st time around. The youger kids will also resent you more than likely for not being their original dad. But when the chips are down you are an outsider.
I experienced this several times with Dads who have full custody (more and more common these days) I couldn't compete...and that's what it was....."a competition". It seemed no matter what plans were made..."something" always came up with the kid(s). I could see a whole lot of manipulation by the little darlings......usurping Dad's attention so it didn't go elsewhere.(I don't have energy or patience for this...lol)
From the kid's point of view....I understand this because they feel their territory "invaded". It's probably better for custodial parents to concentrate their full attention on raising Jr. instead of dating anyway. :)
I have been married to a wonderful man for 23 years and we have 3 children together. He is my second husband. My first husband and I were divorced when our son was 4 years old.
I think what helped to make my second marriage successful was that my first husband raised my oldest child. Sons need fathers. My son is now 36. He is a devoted husband and father of 5.Other women thought I was an unnatural mother to leave my son with his father, but I knew in my heart that his father would be very important to him in the long run.