I am feeling confused right now and would like other perspectives
I have been with DP for many years and we have two children. It hasn't been easy since having children but feel good about a solid family unit.
Meeting up with an old friend has really made me question everything.
Basically, she split up with her ex husband 2 years ago and she said their lives are much better. The reasons she gives are:
- She has a really good relationship with her ex - much better than when they lived together and considers him one of her closest friends. They do lots of favours for each other and talk daily about the children. They do family outings a couple times a month which she says are so much more enjoyable for everyone now they are not together. They never have any tension or arguments.
- Her ex is now an involved and excellent father - when they were living as a family they were always fighting for a break with the bulk of child /house being my friends responsibility. Now my friend has 4 days and her ex 3 days a week. As well as him being a much better father, she says she feels like she is a better mother now as she has time to re-charge and do her own thing rather than constantly feeling under pressure.
- Whilst together she worked part time in a dead end job. Following their split she went back to work full time, got promoted within 6 months and loves her job. She says if they'd stayed together she never would have had a satisfying career as she was the primary carer for children. Also she says that she would have been far too tired to work full time effectively if the kids were with her all week.
- A year after they split he moved in with his new girlfriend who is lovely to their DC and my friend likes. The ex's girlfriend is career driven and not interested in having her own children so everything can go on as it does now. They go away for weekends and holidays together and they have had her DC when she has gone away for weekends.
- Their DC are happy as they get lots of fun and attention in both houses.
- She hasn't got a boyfriend right now but is quite focused on her career, and says he will come along when the time is right. She is looking forward to the idea of having family life with her DC, and couple time when DC with ex (she's not interested in having more children)
Why am I feeling so confused / unsettled after hearing this?