The X Factor

I have received several e-mails this week asking about the "status" and "role" my ex-husband plays in our lives. While I have no doubt my ex has sincere love for his children, he has been out of their lives, aside from a random phone call, since last December. "Out of their lives" applies to both his physical presence and his monetary presence, as well. He currently owes close to $19,000 in back child support, and that is excluding his share of medical payments we were supposed to "split." It is a terrible shame that he is missing out on what are precious, irreplaceable moments his daughters exhibit on a daily basis. Obviously, I am extremely worried about the repercussions his lack of contact and financial contributions will have on my children's future. Being a "single mom" is hard enough, but to be a full-time, single mom with no "weekend help from dad" is even more difficult. But at the same time, I would never want to leave my children in someone else's care overnight. While they drive me crazy, they are my babies and I am the only "constant" they have, aside from my WONDERFUL parents, who live next door to me. On purpose. I hope that answers your questions:) And sure, there are times when I want to pull my hair out and call a voo-doo shop in New Orleans that would place a hex on his spineless, soulless, no-paying, good-for-nothing, dead-beat-dad way of evading the children he helped create… Instead, I choose to turn the other cheek, pray that God will forgive him for what he has done to his family and hope he can live with himself. But most importantly, I pray that my daughters grow up strong and proud, with a keen sense-of-self. And above all, PLEASE don't let them have "daddy issues" that play out in the form of some high-drama, high-school relationship that turns into a bad, Lifetime "movie of the week." Amen.