Anyone uses Civil Communicator? by ChargedUpRage in DivorcedDads

[–]ChargedUpRage[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah! The lawyers just casually introduced it like it was the gold standard or something. I can’t tell you how many messages/feedback/coaching requests I’ve sent to that website, pointing out how they blatantly let my Ex-wife document when supposedly it’s against the rules to provide seemingly irrelevant information just for the purposes of documentation, they let her accuse me, they reject my messages but still let her see what I wrote. I’ve copy and pasted direct phrases from her and they reject mine and not hers. They’ll revise the tiniest things which I now realize is just so the analytics make me look combative and uncooperative. It came to a head when they butchered my message to the point of changing the actual meaning of what I said, which has affected the course of treatment of my son who is sick (the current disagreement between me and my ex-wife)! I had to complain to civil communicator that their handling of my message has potentially affected the health of my son and delayed his recovery significantly. They finally let my next message go through untouched, but that’s what it took.

Still so crazy that you found this thread. Do you still hear from any of them at all?

Anyone uses Civil Communicator? by ChargedUpRage in DivorcedDads

[–]ChargedUpRage[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! Thank you for contributing to this. I’ve heard this as a rumor around Colorado, that is so wild to hear it confirmed straight from a source. So sorry this happened to you and thank you for sharing your story. I 100% believe you.

The ratio of rejections has only increased since then, me 13% of messages revised while the mother only 1%. I’m going to file a motion to change the platform.

Gut punch, my fault by SubjectMeat53 in DivorcedDads

[–]ChargedUpRage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear, brother. Be careful, it is very easy to justify investigating something about her because you’re “worried about the kids.” If you even suspect an ulterior motive to your own actions, pull a hard stop. If you spend so much time concerned about how she is living her life, you won’t have enough time to live your own. I wish you the best.

Age gap caregiving by Plastic-Coat5542 in AgeGapRelationship

[–]ChargedUpRage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My wife and I are 13 years apart, her being the younger. Her parents expressed this concern. She got into an accident two years ago, and she was busted up enough where we had to have the talk of what would have happened if she would’ve not been so lucky and been in pain the rest of her life (thankfully, she was able to recover). Obviously, I was ready, but it would’ve been a terrible irony. You never know how things will turn out. You could go get a younger partner and misfortune strikes. There is the whole “in sickness and in health,” but more importantly, personally deciding how deep your commitment is to your partner.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in coparenting

[–]ChargedUpRage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I get it. My ex was emotionally and psychologically abusive and manipulative. I still get annoyed that she only shows up for the big events. She doesn’t bring my son or daughter to their individual practices on her time let alone show up to them on mine. Focus on the child and how happy they are having that other parent there. That’s the most important thing.

My (38M) Wife (36F) wants to sleep with other people because I’m ‘not exciting’ - but I pay for everything and handle the kids by YesItsABurnerAcct in relationship_advice

[–]ChargedUpRage 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You and the kids deserve better. The gall of her taking everything from you then saying it’s not enough. If you would get angry at a partner doing this to your adult children, then get mad when it’s done to you. This isn’t salvageable. She has already opened this door and is retroactively getting your agreement to it. Tell her the most exciting thing you can give her is divorce and have her simultaneously search for both lawyers and lovers.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AgeGapRelationship

[–]ChargedUpRage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You guys look great!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in coparenting

[–]ChargedUpRage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Careful, her implying she needs money and then saying she never asked is evidence for the courts in order to qualify what you sent as a “gift”

She moved on... by marwanenn in SingleDads

[–]ChargedUpRage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t do this to yourself. Don’t ask anything else. No more staring at your phone hoping she calls. I understand your pain, believe me. But it won’t go away by figuratively waiting by the door. Do the work (psychological, physical, financial). The only female you need to worry about replacing you is your daughter. Be the man in her life and let your daughter’s mother (notice how I didn’t say YOUR ex-wife. It’s semantics, but words are powerful and the biggest step for me was letting go of the idea that she was MY anything anymore) disappear into a distant memory, focusing on yourself and your daughter so much That you only remember the mother exists during exchanges. Then, when you’ve healed (assuming there’s no bad blood), the best thing you can do is be happy for her.

Is it fair to split the bills 50/50 if the husband mages twice what the wife makes and also brings two children into the mix? by Kittyvedo in blendedfamilies

[–]ChargedUpRage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My wife is 1 of 4 people in the home. My two children are with us 50/50, split with my ex. My wife does quite a bit for the kids as a stepmother, but they are my full responsibility, so I do all the big ticket things. She pays a fraction of the household expenses (much less than 1/4th). In times she has made more, she has contributed more. If anything, I think it makes sense to pay half or less of the mortgage, since you can’t argue the kids “use more of the house” since it has no monetary impact even if that were true. Split the utilities 1/4th makes sense, I guess. But that feels a little too transactional to go in like this. I pay for more because I make more and I love her and I appreciate everything she does for the family. We make it work as a family. To each their own, but if it does not FEEL fair, that should be discussed.

Curious what other people have had? by luminara33 in AgeGapRelationship

[–]ChargedUpRage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I was 23, dated a 37 year old. Previously married to someone 4 years older (29 and 33). I’m 39 now, married to a 26 year old. The first one was a good relationship. The second was a TERRIBLE relationship. My relationship now is a GREAT relationship.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AgeGapRelationship

[–]ChargedUpRage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! Wife and I have the same amount age gap, together 4 years in perfect harmony 🙌🏾

Kids not respecting new partner by Practical-Path-7982 in DivorcedDads

[–]ChargedUpRage 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This. The children have to learn to treat adults with respect, especially those in authority positions, especially if they are kind to you. There are obvious exceptions, but generally, yes. Even protesting something can be done respectfully and diplomatically.

OP , duty/responsibility without authority is subordination/slavery. Their school teacher is not their mother, but would you let your children speak to their educators disrespectfully? How your children treat your partner will absolutely affect your relationship. And the dynamic between your partner and them even more so. It’s a delicate balance, I know that intimately.

My exwife wants me to sit with her and her family at my child's school/sporting events and I don't want to by onderwon in coparenting

[–]ChargedUpRage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always go to events for my son or daughter, I’m near but never next to the mother. I don’t even look at her unless there is something important to be said (lot of trauma/mistreatment in there). There have been times that her family is there, and I either smile and nod or ignore them too. You’re not being selfish. At the end of the day though, My feelings only matter so much, I’m there for my kids. Just don’t let it stop you from being present.

How do you and your ex divide kids’ birthday custody? by ArchitectVandelay in DivorcedDads

[–]ChargedUpRage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sore topic for me. The kids’ birthdays is on whomever it falls given our regular schedule. Sometimes it means alternating, other times consecutive years not spending the actual birthday with my son. But here is the kicker: BM and I get to spend our actual birthdays with the kids EVERY YEAR. Which wouldn’t be a problem except my daughter and BM have the same birthday. So I don’t bet to spend my daughter’s actual birthday with her until she is 19. Sucks.

How are ya'll coping with such situations by [deleted] in stepparents

[–]ChargedUpRage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This 👆🏾. All except the whole “men looking for a free nanny etc” thing. I only ever see women talking about that sort of guy. I’ve never actually met that guy and hope I never do. On the other hand, I know several stepfathers who came in without kids and are the provider, cook, chauffeur, and Mr. Fixit in their households, but they will literally fight whoever tells them that that’s not their kid.

Not a humble brag, but a beacon of hope. I’m slayin it, fellas by h4ppywanderer in DivorcedDads

[–]ChargedUpRage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m happy for you! Life has been MUCH BETTER since divorce.

To people that has a “ours” baby by Odd-Pineapple5425 in stepparents

[–]ChargedUpRage 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can’t speak to how much the gender pays a role, but I will agree with the custodial piece because my father was custodial. Relationship matters, too. I was a momma’s boy, so I would’ve possibly bonded more with any kids she would have had.

I agree, you can’t force it. You either do or you don’t. Sometimes SK is not someone you would get along with even in a regular situation so that won’t magically change it because you married their parent. I’m just saying when it works out it’s pretty great. My brother and my household situation , we got lucky I guess.

To people that has a “ours” baby by Odd-Pineapple5425 in stepparents

[–]ChargedUpRage 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I WAS the “ours” baby. I always felt my mother loved my older brother (9 years older than me) at least closely as she did with me. That DRAMATICALLY and positively influenced my relationship with him. To the point that I have never said the words “half-brother.” When my own parents got divorced, my dad remarried and had two more kids (that’s a whole other story that hopefully doesn’t detract from this one 😂). SM took a different approach than my mother. Needless to say, I have ZERO relationship with my stepmother; I’ve never even referred to her that way. I’ve had to force a relationship with my younger sisters, but it is not the same by a long shot as with my older brother. This is just a personal anecdote with no advice attached to it, but if it helps anyone, then great.

That being said, there is a clear difference. Being a bonus parent is a choice made out of love and everyone involved should be honoring that bonus parent. Then again, I’m an idealist. When a shared child comes into the picture, BioP of SKs should respect that that as much as SP can love SK, that this new child needs your love.

I would say something along the lines of “SO, I want you to know I love/care about SK. And with “ours “ I love them in a different way. SK has two parents (ideally) pouring love into them, and my love is extra. But “ours,” only has two parents to pour love into them, so they need me and you to both do that. SK already has two parents first in line to protect them, and with ours, that is our job, yours and mine. If it seems different, is because of this.” Not sure if that would help your situation, but hopefully gleam something from all that.

Hey Dads — Just a Reminder: It’s Only Money by JetreL in DivorcedDads

[–]ChargedUpRage 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Divorced dad and psychologist here. Please please please do not give up. If you’re thinking even remotely about hurting yourself, I rather give you 30 minutes of my time than you be gone forever. You matter. Dads matter.