similarities to Dobson's letter in his book

one of my favorite books & one of my favorite letters

you're a good man Charlie Brown

Pep

Yeah, I borrowed from Dobson. But, he is right...and it is a good letter that he advises to send.

Thanks Pep.

In His arms.

If I was you, I wouldn't include that. Sounds like a parting shot to me.

Second Maninmotion. Otherwise great! A classy letter from a good man moving forward in control of his own destiny.
Peace,
68

I also agree with leaving this out.

It would make me at all costs want to prove you wrong and that no matter what I had to endure I would stay with the next relationship. If you leave that out it gives her the option of not hearing "I told you so" later but a way for her to admit a terrible mistake.

Consider this a fourth on the motion above about leaving out the last line. Othewise, I'm with everyone else - excellent letter, and one I hope I never have to write.

As for the kids and their summer activities, you might want to ask your attorney about getting an order that the kids can't be taken out of state without your permission until the divorce is resolved. My best friend had an order like that in place after his wife served him out of the blue - she was ready to split to another state with their son, and the order, while it didn't prevent her from eventually doing it, did keep his son in our state for a little while.

Stand tall, MM.

Messing with baseball playoffs is high crime indeed. Very selfish.

Are you comfortable encouraging your son to voice his preference to his Mom?

WAT

Thanks for the correction folks. I re-read and concur. Here is the change in that sentence:


In His arms.

Indeed. Of course, she has admitted as such!


Yes I am...just wanna make sure that it cannot be used against me later as trying to poison my son against her, or some other ludicrious charge.

Treading lightly right now as I gather intel. Major operations set to begin very shortly.

In His arms.

This just gave me goosebumps! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Loved the letter, MM.

Lori

Sounds better however the last part may put her on the defensive and continue to harden her heart.

Prayers.

The drum beats are getting louder. I can almost hear them! This situation is about to finally be overwhelmed by the righteous anger of God.

Just a little longer...

PS: And I am [email]d@mn[/email] sure glad I am on the right side of things!

In His arms.

That should be "at your worst" <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

I'm still not sure of that though - you're ending with a negative declaration.

How about "I hope that someday you will look back with fondness at the time we were together, and remember a guy who loved you unconditionally".

That is pretty good!

In His arms.

MM,

I am sorry it has come to this. Protect yourself and your children as well as you can, and rest assured your W will try anything and everything she can to get to you. Use your attorney to make sure your children can do the things they WANT to do this summer.

God Bless,

JL

MM,

I agree with MIM...he makes an excellent suggestion for a great ending to a powerful letter...and the "worse/worst" thing was driving my "spelling nazi" tendencies crazy-LOL-glad you're gonna fix that part! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Mrs. W

Thanks. I agree. And I am a spelling-nazi also!! When I make those mistakes, it is usually because I am trying to type so fast I am not paying attention.

Shoot...it used to drive me crazy when my wife and I were dating, and she would constantly misspell the word "probably" with "probaby" in her love letters. Drove me nutz!!

In My arms.

{{{{{M}}}}}

You are in my prayers.

Okay, MM, would you mind if I put my "sensitivity" hat on the shelf for a minute and donned my "father protector" hat for a bit?

You have custody, right?

Regardless, your wife is intending to take the kids out of State simply because she wants to? Sounds like more of "it's all about HER wants."

Your son only has ONE opportunity for these sorts of experiences in life. Once he "ages out" those opportunities are gone for life. He made a COMMITMENT to the team when he signed on and that commitment takes precedence over all "wants" that are not true emergencies.
He learns so much from the team pulling together, win or lose, that it teaches huge valuable lessons for life.

You have to stand up for the little man, he can't stand against Mom on his own. It does not matter what your wife thinks or says about it, you need to teach him the lesson of commitments (like marital commitments, for example) and his "word" to the teammates. He is counting on you just like the team is counting on him and he counts on them to field their positions.

Besides, after what you wrote about your MIL standing in the doorway, what is it about that family that is "good" for your children? Certainly not much if your MIL is the "shining example."

MM, this is one of those "tough" situations that come with a broken home for the children. YOU MUST stand for your son and for what is right. One might ask "where" should the "battle lines" be drawn? I would answer such a question with the line is drawn at "the children" and honoring God. Teaching the children, or in this case your son, the value of honoring promises and commitments, even if a choice has to be made between 2 desirable things (assuming he might want to go to the family gathering), is a lifelong valuable lesson. "My word is my bond" may not be "fashionable" in these self-centric days, but it is a lesson that perhaps more of us ought to be teaching our children, along with many other "old fashioned values."

And just to let you know that I have a "soft spot" for baseball. I coached baseball (12 and 13 year olds, and 17 and 18 year olds) and one of my sons was a very good ballplayer (still is even though he is married now and only plays softball). All of my 4 children played ball, the boys played baseball and the girls played fast pitch softball and basketball.

Your wife is doing this on purpose. Make NO mistake about it. It is designed to hurt you and she is using the children as the weapon. Now is the time, Grunt, to fix the bayonet and prepare for hand to hand. Nothing sanitary, surgical, or distant. Up front, face to face, and personal. Show the kids you will stand for what is right. They ARE watching and learning through all of this mess. They will see your strength of resolve and willingness to stand for what is right.

God bless and shower you with His wisdom as you "divide the child."

FH is right. Even if you don't get what you want, your children will see that you stood up for them. And that, my friend, is priceless!