What a sad story. The children, undoubtedly, have gone through the phases of grief each time.
Denial
Bargaining
Depression
Anger
Acceptance
and finally moving on.
Let’s just pray that when they move on they do not repeat their Mother’s behavior.
It would do well for her to be on her knees. Perhaps these children could set an example for HER!!!
There are no such clearly defined stages in a case like this. But what it does do is to teach them that as men they are to be used and tossed aside. It also makes them fearful of loving because of the certainty that it’s all going to end in a way outside their control. And as they look out across their socio-economic group, they see the same behavior of the other mothers who treat their kids in the same way. I know that the older two have said that on their 18th birthday they’re not even going to stick around for the cake—not that their mom’s ever gotten them a cake for their birthday. Of the more than 20 families that I know, there is an actual father living at home in only 3 of them (and these fathers have one or two other women on the side).