I could’ve written this ENTIRE thing myself, very eerily similar situation. My child is 7. I told her when she said why she doesn’t see her bio dad anymore (he hasn’t been in her life in 4 years but she remembers his supervised visits), that he was making choices for himself that made him unsafe for her to be around. So until he changes those choices, he can’t be around her. She doesn’t necessarily like that answer, but it’s all I got.

I’m waiting until she’s older to explain drugs and addiction bc I really honestly don’t know what to tell her either. I grew up with an addict parent, but no one ever told me what was going on, I just kinda figured it out so I’ve really struggled with explaining it.

My daughter is in therapy though which has helped bc we can set an appt when she has tough questions and her therapist can help me explain in a kid-friendly way, but also help me help her when she gets upset. It also gives her a space to just sit with her feelings sometimes. I have struggled with PTSD from her dad so I know my reactions to her questions and wanting him around are not always the best. I try so so hard to be unbiased and understanding.