Co-Parenting with a Bully

I've been feeling very frustrated and “stuck” for the last couple of months.  I think it’s the Christmas kerfuffle that did it to me.  I feel like I’m constantly fighting.  

Let's be clear - my ex is a bully.  Plain and simple.  He's very insecure and tries to assert himself in the only way he knows how - by making everything a power struggle.

I consciously try not to engage.  But he draws me in over and over again.  He won't let things go, and he will not stop until I concede.  And I won't.  I can't.  

But I’m spent.  It’s like there’s a never-ending war and I’m stuck right in the middle.  I'm always working to keep the children out of it.  To allow them an innocence.  To let them enjoy their childhood.  

This Too Shall Pass

I am, yet again, shaking with rage.  

It happens every so often, and the trigger is generally the same.  If you've been regularly reading my blog, I'd hazard you can guess who it is.

I'm trying.  I'm trying so very hard to make everything simple.  I break down every transaction, I use small, easy to understand words.  I analyze each transaction and based on his previous behaviour, try what I think will work this time - what will make it easiest for him.