Sending you strength. It's hard, it gets lonely, but you can do it and you WILL get through it. You will not be alone forever.

Take a moment to just be, breathe. Take it one day at a time-you can do this!

Of course, your are scared, but you will find the strength to get through this, believe me. I don't know how or from where, but when push comes to shove you will be able to handle this.

You are in a tough place right now,but hang onto the fact that it will get better. Surround yourself with those who will support you and let the good people here at DS give you the advice, support and strength you will need.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

hey ann, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know how you feel, I'm scared too.
I sure hope your meeting goes well tomorrow with mediation. Remember it is about the kids! (hope he remembers too)

hang in there ann, your fears are popping up because of tomorrow, try to relax. if you love yourself and are happy it should not matter if your alone. and you have your children and family. be confident in yourself. you can do this, picture all of us at ds surrounding you. your own network.

Ann, I am sending you psychic positivity from California, and out here we are in better touch with the cosmos. Tomorrow will go well and you will get through it with flying colors!

I know how you feel. I haven't worked for a year and i don't have a job now and add to that i can't afford Christmas gifts for my kids and I am going to have to move out of my beautiful new home some day very soon - it is just all so frightening and sad. I will pray for you and maybe you could pray for me..

First of all, it is NOT safe to live in the house with your soon to be ex when there is a custody battle going on. Secondly, let me tell you a little story. I was married for 10 years and had two children with him (and one from a previous relationship). I was a house wife in college, and he cut me off and went to live with his mom. I thought i was going to lose my house and had to drop out of school. I went to my advisor who hooked me up with an internship and I made 16.00/hour while in college which helped a lot.

Then I took him to court and he had to pay me 300/week in child support and alimony. I soon dropped the alimony because I was doing ok on my own. I now graduated in 3 years and have a career making more money than him.

He had to eat his words, "I guess you will have to quit school and get a job."

Needless to say if you have the will to fight, you will make it. You have to WANT to make it. I am here for you, add me as a friend.

The one thing I didn't expect from my divorce (from my 1st H) was that I had such a feeling of liberation. I walked away from the house into an apartment and started over with the kids. It was SOOOO good. I wasn't stressed, I could decorate however I wanted. I spent more time with them, because I wasn't fighting with my X. Getting to the end of this will be ok. If you are a good parent, you won't loose your children. If he is a good parent, you might have to share them...but hey, isn't it really what's best for them?

I know this is a hard situation, one that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Take it one day at a time. You would be suprised what you can do when you just put your mind to it.

Ann, if I could give you a piece of my heart (any that is left), I would. May I ask you this.
Would it be possible for you to concentrate on your desired positive outcomes and immediately dismiss from your mind any potential results that you do not favor? Can you replace, in your mind, whenever they appear, the negative results with the positive results that you wish? Can you imagine a new world for you?

I'm scared too. worring about my kids kept me in a bad marriage for 5 years. Finally, I realized kids are better off with a happy divorced mom than a unhappy home with both parents. Hang in there