The Prodigal Trio
My son was 15, my daughter 17 – so they were no longer little – when my wife decided she wanted a divorce. I worked my whole life for my family, we didn't even have arguments, but she said she was tired of this boring life that "I forced her into."
I left them the house and moved into a rented apartment. The kids didn't want to hang out with me because they found the small apartment embarrassing, they weren't interested in joint programs because they only fiddled with their phones and held out their hands for pocket money. After a while, I gave up.
My wife spent all her money in a few years, had to sell the house, and – since my company was still doing well – she and the kids "found their way back" to me. Now I feel that all three of them deserve another chance because after all, they are my family.
Drowning in Alcohol
I can't describe the feeling when you unexpectedly come home and the apartment is empty. I knew I wasn't a model husband or the best father, but I didn't think they would just pack up and leave my life like that. What happened next? I became an alcoholic.
Joy
Now, many might consider me a vile scoundrel, but I felt relieved. My ex-wife was a fairy until the wedding night, but from then on, she changed like Jekyll and Hyde.
Unfortunately, she got pregnant immediately and we had twins, whom she spoiled insanely, and since I had no say in their upbringing, they became unbearable, stubborn, and selfish children.
The twins were six when my ex decided she had enough of me – because I didn't earn enough – and divorced me. I left them the apartment, and honestly, I was glad to be rid of them. If my marriage had lasted longer, I think I would have had a nervous breakdown, so I don't regret how it turned out.
Who Laughs Last
My wife ran off with her new guy and took my two daughters, who ran back to me within a week. They are adults now, and our relationship is just as close, while they barely speak to their mother.
The Returner
The woman left, and I couldn't see my kids for three whole years. Then one day she showed up with my two sons and a baby, saying she wanted us to be a family again. I told her the two boys would stay, and she and the baby could go wherever they wanted, and that's how it was.
Late Regret
I loved my kids and had a great relationship with them until my wife and I decided to go separate ways because neither of us had been happy for years. But it wasn't supposed to be that she would turn the kids against me, yet that's what happened.
They were no longer little, and I was surprised they believed all the vile lies their mother fed them. She told them I had slapped her multiple times (I never raised a hand), that I wanted the divorce (it was a mutual decision), and that I wanted everything for myself (we split everything in half).
I tried for four years, but my kids wouldn't even talk to me, then they realized their mother wasn't who she pretended to be and now they want to come back to me. To be honest, I am so tired and bitter from the past four years that I no longer want to take them back.
Regret
I didn't appreciate my family, neither my wife nor my son. For some reason, I took them for granted and was shocked when they packed up and left. It still hurts terribly today, but I know this happened so I would finally realize and become a better person.
The Sign
I took it as a fantastic opportunity to restart my life.
The Solution
We argued a lot, so the situation didn't surprise me. I gave up everything in court except for shared custody of my kids because I didn't want to be a weekend dad.
I never missed my wife and her dramas for a second, and the kids stayed with me for two weeks every month, so I can say we came out well from it.
Happy End
My ex wife always said that if she left, I would die alone, but in the end, I got a new, wonderful partner, with whom I also have two lovely children who love my kids from the previous marriage as if they were full siblings. We are happy, and the ex has been living alone, bitter ever since.
