Unfortunately, I don't believe in Karma either. But my oldest DS can already see how unfair it all is and that I am getting the shitty end of the stick. I feel bad for him worrying that I am not happy. It isn't his fault and it's not his job to make me happy.
So on top of everything else, I now have to appear to be happy for the DCs. But I do know, having been through it, that children do recognise at least some of what we go through.
And I do think there is a complete double standard going on here. My ex has women literally throwing themselves at him, offering to help with the DCs etc, etc. And I don't.
But I also think that people don't think. Somehow, even though nearly everyone has experienced the pain of a relationship breakdown, they seem to think that you are, or should be, okay with it all. How can that be? The worst break-up most people have experienced was of a relationship that may have lasted a year or so and that was painful enough. But the pain of separating from someone you'd planned to spend the rest of your life with, how is that ever going to be easy and painless?
And then you're not even allowed to criticise them, you're expected to remain civilised, cordial even when you are hurting so badly inside. And, on top of that, you are the one who ends up supporting your distressed and upset DCs.
Add a distinct lack of money to the mix (don't forget the research that says something along the lines of 2 years post divorce most men are better off and most women worse off) and it's a really challenging combination of things to deal with. And that's without adding in society's attitude to single parents.