To ask how to co-parent

[Stuck16]

This is long- sorry
DH moved out last June initially saying he no longer loved me, wanted a divorce etc but 6 weeks later said it was actually because his depression and anxiety which he's had for years was getting on top of him and he needed time and space to get himself sorted.
He conceded it was a dick move to not be honest from the outset and had caused a lot of unnecessary pain and upset.
The idea was he'd get himself sorted then we'd work on our relationship as clearly there are issues for him to feel he can't get better around me.
He moved into a houseshare so can't have the children there- it's in the contract no under 16s allowed. Since he moved out his contact with the kids has taken place at my house, he's never taken them out or anything.
Last week he told me he wants to make the move permanent, doesn't think our marriage is worth working on, he feels it's been over for ages. Seems to boil down to a lack of sex (youngest is 3 now) and what he perceives as a lack of interest in him on my part and keeps saying "life's gotten in the way"
I've told him it's fairly normal when kids are young for the parents to lose sight of their relationship but when you realise it you go out on a couple of adult only dates etc not file for divorce.
Last night he told me he's met someone else- I must have mug written on my forehead to not have realised sooner.
So, how do I co-parent how? He still can't have the kids at his house, hasn't got the money to live anywhere else but I don't want him hanging out at my house anymore either.
I only let him here as often as he was because I was of the impression it was only a matter of time before he was well enough to move home. I still love him and just seeing him as much as I will have to is going to break me. I worry though that if I don't let him in the house at weekends etc he won't bother to take the kids out and then they'll lose their dad even more. So how do I handle this now?

Hugs OP. One thing that strikes me is that this isn't your problem to solve. He needs to work out how he is going to manage the logistics of his situation. Don't run around after him. If he doesn't want to be in a relationship with you, he shouldn't expect you to solve his practical problems. He has treated you really badly, don't let him have his cake and eat it. In the medium and long term making him take responsibility for his own patenting will also benefit the children.

He's made no attempt to find somewhere else to live. I found him the houseshare to begin with as truly believed it was temporary.
He's NC with his mum, his dad lives 200 miles away as do my family.
I think I have been far too accommodating and that probably hasn't helped matters. My DS whos 9 already says he blames me for his dad leaving

He deliberately signed a contract that meant he couldn't have his children over. This is his problem to solve. He'll need to take them out. Don't let him use the house, and you, and a base for his convenience.

You need to have a conversation away from the children and say as of next Monday the current arrangement is ending. I am happy to have the children available for contact on x days/nights they can be collected from here but contact will not happen here.

Basically you need to stop facilitating him, also start to progress on legal advice. If you think you will be unable to agree you need to make an application to court for a contact order.

The fact that he cannot have them at his is not your problem, in fact anything to do with his life is not your problem. But you do need to be prepared that he may stop seeing his children for a while either because he can't make it work or to punish you.

The initial period will be rough, he will probably not cooperate. At all times though with the children you need to be the bigger person, always be neutral or positive about him to the children.

Once things have settled down you need to work out what the contact agreement should be and think about maintenance.

Regarding your 9 year old, he may need a very basic overview of the reasons why you have separated keeping it to the facts and not emotive. He is likely to lash out where he feels most secure though.

Good luck, stay strong and be gentle on yourself!

I think you are entirely within your rights to say something along the lines of "as you seem to be moving on so well and quickly, I can now withdraw my support from you. This means you will need to make your own arrangements for contact with the children as my home is no longer available for you. I shall expect that you as the barest minimum will put the children's needs first and I look forward to your sharing your ideas for a co-parenting with me very soon. In the meantime, I am afraid you can no longer visit with the children here, I will have them ready for you at (insert usual visit time) and you can pick them up.

It's the drip dripping of information and lies that hurts. You have no further reason to help or assist him and he clearly has taken you for a ride for longer than you imagined. Get firm and assertive and be the sugar plum fairy when the children are within earshot (but firm). Be prepared also for him introducing the children to the OW as he will probably need her help to sort out the contact and spending time with his own children. It will hurt like hell for you and will probably get worse before it gets better.

He will accuse you of not putting the children first if you deny access to the home for contact. Do not let this shift your resolve. He was not putting the children first when he forgot he had a family and replaced you with someone else.

But it will also get better, just keep strong and let him sort this mess out, not you.

Thank you everyone. He's already told me today he's sick of me calling the shots- he only told me last night it was over for good. He has to help with the school run on the days I work so unfortunately will be at my house for the next 3 days in the morning and evening that can't be changed.
I am going to phone him tonight to try and have a proper conversation with him about things

I'm so sorry. This is awful for you and horrible of him.

My only advice to you is if you only put your DC first, above all your emotions and hurt, it can only be the right thing for them. Easier said than done, I know.

Good luck. Things will change and settle down, so it won't always be this way. I hope you get to move on very soon.

He's now refusing to talk to me tonight. I'm the one who's been walked out on so why am I the one behaving reasonably?

He has behaved and is behaving badly. His playing with your emotions has been particularly cruel.

He may need to restart communications with his mother, what about siblings, cousins etc., he can take them out - summer is approaching so that shouldn't be too hard. You need to look after yourself now OP. You deserve so much better than that

His mother is a lost cause, he is genuinely better off without her. He is also NC with his sister and doesn't know his cousins due to his mother being NC with her brother. It's a complex family that's for sure.
For 13 years it's literally been us two and then the kids, until now.

I love him but I hate him