Does the pain of sharing children end?

[DeborahDee123]

I am nearly 2 years into a separation. Divorce should be finalised in a couple of months.
my marriage was extremely unhappy with more issues than I could explain here but
my husband left me and my children after 13 years in favour of a free life; parties, women and travel. He pretty much abandoned us to do whatever he wanted when we were married and continues to let us down when he has made commitments to see the kids. I always cover for him and try so hard not to let them realise how flaky and selfish he is.
He genuinely believes that he’s a great dad and on the 2-3 times a month that he does see his kids, they come home raving about how great he is. It breaks my heart but I know that it’s a good thing that they are happy to see him.
I look after the kids 99% of the time. Does this pain of handing them over (they’re 10 & 12 now!) and the pain of hearing them rave about how great his is ever go away?
I hate how smug he is when he picks them up and how he never recognises the effort I make every day in raising them on my own.
Will this hurt ever end?

Yes it did in my experience. My dds began in their teens to recognise their dad wasn't quite as great as he made out. I never slated him, I just supported them and made sure they felt loved.

Once they got to teens my contact with him lessoned which was a bonus as they generally made arrangements directly with him . They gradually saw less of him, partly because he was busy with his new family but also they got busy seeing friends.

Now as adults we are extremely close and talk daily whereas they see their dad a few times a year. .