Went by x's last night and noticed a van parked in the driveway. Didn't know whose it was. Today when the kids came home they both told me, mom got a new van with a VCR and TV.<P>I have to laugh, what does she need a van for? I know her lease was up. But why a van with all the gizmos. Its not like she takes them any place. And now that our d is in 7th grade all her sports activities are school functions and they take the bus. My s's things are all pretty local too so its not like you could watch a full movie.<P>I guess I am just jealous that she can afford to go into debt like that.<P>My s also told me that mom was going to let him get a lizard to keep at her house. Why? He is only over there about 2-3 days per week. <P>Also my d wants me to take her shopping for a Halloween costume tommmorrow nite. I have plans, why didn't she ask her mother?<P>Geesh!!!! Thanks for the vent. Maybe tommorrow will be better!!!!!

RWD,<P>I know what you must be going through and it it darned hard to not feel resentment and jealousy.<P>My resentment back in the day was when x remarried had another child, divorced, remarried and had three more children while letting his child support arrearage grow to well over $13,000.00 (for the first two children he helped put on earth). Nor did he spend time with our children. He had total access to them and never took advantage of it. Now my kids are now 26 & 24 and it seems long ago but I see his other 4 kids going through the ringer because he is divorcing again.<P>This still burns me at times.<P>Hang in there and do something 'special' for dad, you deserve it!<P>Ragamuffin

RWD,<P>I know what you must be going through and it it darned hard to not feel resentment and jealousy.<P>My resentment back in the day was when x remarried had another child, divorced, remarried and had three more children while letting his child support arrearage grow to well over $13,000.00 (for the first two children he helped put on earth). Nor did he spend time with our children. He had total access to them and never took advantage of it. Now my kids are now 26 & 24 and it seems long ago but I see his other 4 kids going through the ringer because he is divorcing again.<P>This still burns me at times.<P>Hang in there and do something 'special' for dad, you deserve it!<P>Ragamuffin<P>P.S. I guess what I am trying to tell you is don't let 4 rubber tires and a lizard get to you. When your kids are adults your hands on fatherly love and direction will be what they remember and carry forward. That is what is most important, not tangables.<BR>

(double posted)

Bob,<P>She probably can't afford it, but she is going to have it anyway. She could be unhappy deep down, thats why a lot of people purchase things they don't necessarily need.<P>I have 3 kids and a daycare so I NEED a van. I don't NEED the payment that goes with it though!!<P>We all have our good and bad days, hopefully, your back to having a good one.<P>Dana<BR>

Yeah Bob, I felt the same way with something really little that seemed so huge when it happened...<P>The kids told me that Dad had complained that a dinner he bought for OW cost him $60.00. I'm like, what do they sell at McDonald's that costs $60.00, because that's about the speed/cost of dates we'd had in the end. Although truthfully, he did take me out a couple of times to a real restraunt, but complained about the $30 bill. Still and all, it ticked me off.

Me too. Too much stuff like that for me to even start. Life's a challenge sometimes. But it is wonderful others. The financial pits I've been in are for the birds, though.