Emotionally Burdened Woman Asks For Advice About Co-Parenting After Ten-Year-Relationship Breakup

"...he just blurted out that he needed peace and I wasn’t giving him any."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• December 2, 2023

Dealing with a breakup is tough, especially when a kid is involved. This story from Reddit shows just how hard it can be.

The couple had been together for 10 years and they have a 3-year-old kid. Things got rough between them after the baby was born, and it didn’t help that the guy’s mom got cancer and he had to take care of her.

OP was left to handle a lot by herself because her partner was busy and stopped supporting them like he used to. Their relationship really hit a low point when their son got sick and needed surgery, but the guy didn’t show up – he just sent his mom instead.

OP tried to talk to him about how he was feeling, but he just shut her down. Eventually, he broke up with her, saying he needed peace.

Now, OP is struggling. She doesn’t want to talk to him because she’s not feeling good mentally, but she knows they have to stay in contact because of their kid. She’s trying to figure out how to handle the breakup while still letting him be a part of his child’s life.

It’s a tough spot to be in, trying to heal from the breakup and work out how to co-parent at the same time.

OP's long-term relationship faced challenges due to her partner's mother's illness, resulting in a shift in responsibilities and decreased support when OP returned to work.

The relationship experienced strain due to the partner's changing priorities and lack of support during their child's illness, leading to an unexpected breakup.

OP has been through a lot in their relationship, and she is hurt that her partner seems to be giving up on them.

OP should take time to focus on her well-being and her child, and let the ex do his own thing.

OP should take a mediator or lawyer as a neutral third party for communication with her ex.

OP needs to prioritize her relationship with her child and don't dwell on the absence of others.

People change over the years.

OP needs to prioritize her self-worth.

OP needs to get a lawyer for child support to ensure he fulfills his financial responsibility towards his child.

OP should establish a legal custody agreement and ensure child support.

OP should consult a lawyer to establish custody, visitation, and child support arrangements.

OP needs to try not to worry too much about the future and focus on the present moment.

OP must get a family lawyer, and establish child support and visitation plans to avoid a mess later on.

OP should think about what's best for their child. She needs to talk openly with her ex-partner, even if it's not easy. Working together as parents is important.

It's a good idea for OP and her ex-partner to make a plan. This plan should say when each of them will spend time with their child and how they will make decisions about their child's life.

This will help their child feel safe and know what to expect. OP should also talk to people they trust, like friends or family, to get support when she is feeling sad or stressed.

Taking care of herself is important too. OP should try to be kind and cooperate with her ex-partner, especially when it comes to their child.

Even though breakups are tough, putting their child first is the most important thing. It might be hard, but over time, it can lead to a better situation for everyone.

Damjan