"His biggest push was custody: He wanted 100 percent, because they were something he could take from me. I refused, and the judge backed me up, but the fight was endless. I was exhausted and broke."
"I miss my kids painfully, even though we text or talk every day. I chose the lesser of two evils, and I hate it. It's not what I wanted or what my kids wanted."
"My mom told me 'a good mom would never stop fighting.' My sisters told me they'd go deep into debt and never settle for even 50/50 custody."
A parent faces significant challenges after discovering their partner's infidelity and dealing with an STI. The custody battle becomes contentious, with the ex-partner attempting to gain full custody. Despite the exhausting legal fight, the parent ultimately agrees to limited weekend custody for the sake of the children’s therapy. The emotional toll is profound, with feelings of loss and judgment from family and friends. The parent struggles with the perception of being a 'deadbeat' while prioritizing the children's safety and health over personal desires.
Read at Slate Magazine
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