The Kids

The kids..

Ugh.

What have I told the kids? Nothing much yet.

I know they can tell what's going on. Grandpa's never home and when he is, he won't talk to anyone. I've only told them that we've had a big fight and their grandpa's in a nasty grumpy mood and to avoid him.

The Girl.. She's not one to take any answer at face value. She can turn full on gestapo on your ass if you're not careful about it. She did that with him the other day when he didn't show for dinner. I didn't catch that, my mom did. She was smirking about it.

The Boy.. He's always been very sensitive to tension. That coupled with his ADHD.. Well, it's difficult at times. He's subdued, almost unnaturally so, and then when my father comes home or leaves he's almost spastic.

The Cat.. The poor thing was there during the huge blowout. Since then, he's been very angry with my father and extremely protective of me. If my father's home, he's either by my side or on my lap. If the kids are in the room with my father, he's sitting in between. He's become very protective of us. He's also had some bad dreams.

My mom and I have spent most of our time reassuring the kids (cat included). I've let my organizing compulsion free. I've been scrubbing and reorganizing like nobody's business. Martha Stewart would be proud. I've also spent time assuring my mom that no matter what, I'm suporting her. I don't want her to worry unnecessarily. I already know how draining everything is for her.

We're waiting to see what will happen before we really have a talk with the kids. I've always been big on coming straight out with the kids. They know anyway and if you lie, they just distrust you. Unfortunately, there are always some questions that never have answers. They just dealt with my divorce last year-- finalized just a few day's before The Girl's birthday-- and it may happen all over again. All I can tell them is that we're family and that no matter what we will stick together and take care of each other. Mom tells them that no matter what, they can always depend on her and me. I just wish that the men in their lives felt the same way.