Since we married in 2002, Gary and I have put aside THIS WEEK as our time together. Alone. No worries. No kids. No dogs. No family or friends. No evil ex's or disgruntled customers. No laundry or dishes. No conferences or meetings. No deadlines or phone calls.
Just Amish strangers in Ohio, Dorothy and Toto in Indiana, the sun setting on Lake Michigan, countless things to do, and an entire seven days with not a care in the world.
Unfortunatly this year has not been profitable.
In addition to sales being way down, Gary's ex keeps wanting more and more money for their soon-to-be 18 year old daughter's child support + psychology bills + private Christian school tuition ....
This whole child custody/support thing has made Gary pretty sick with his Crohn's and the family courts refuse to acknowledge that he's no longer able to work full time.
The X keeps taking him back to court for more and more money, and he now owes tens of thousands of dollars on charge cards, trying to keep his obligation up to date.
I seriously think the X enjoys seeing us struggle.
The alienated, hateful child will be 18 this week, but still has a year of Christian school left and that equals an average of $700 a month child support for us to pay.
Don't get me wrong. Every parent should pay for the support of their children... But this is a unique and unfair case. I've researched the family court messes, and I've yet to see one as inhumane and crooked as what this one has been. Gary hasn't been allowed to see his daughter for four years now. He's taken back to court every few months for increases in his support though. *shake's head*
And so... we've broken the yearly tradition of finding peace in a loud and busy world. Maybe next year.
Click on the Title- link and find the daughter's latest youtube video, added yesterday.
This bothers me for some reason.
Ok. I'm done. Just had to vent. Thanks for listening.
I'm sorry that this is happening to your family. I suppose the ex had him pay for her lawyer. This whole thing seems totally unfair, yah, pretty twisted.
ReplyDeleteThat child is going to be 18? She's like a train wreck waiting to happen! I know kids act out when the parents aren't around, but this girl sounds unstable. I think the money is wasted on an expensive Christian school, obviously it hasn't done her any good. The whole thing is unsettling.
Too bad you are both living through so much right now. It won't last forever....easy for me to say I know but I can 'see' that you both are pretty tight and you have to hold on to that. Try not to dwell on all the negative stuff....it'll eat you both alive. Take care.
ReplyDeleteJim
It breaks my heart to see you go through the impossible stepchild business. I have been there and know how hard it is to do the right things only to have them thrown back at you. It seems like a long time until the end of the school year, but it is the light at the end of the tunnel. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if your step darling comes around asking for help after that. She clearly does not have what it takes to hold a responsible job or make it through college. Time heals and that time is coming. I have prayed for you and hope you and your husband can find the strength to hold on.
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