Interesting Conversation~

I met with the mediator regarding my daughter and where she is going to live~ it was rather interesting... she had talked to my daughter and to my ex prior to speaking with me.

There was quite a few things that we discussed, but the part that I found interesting...

I told her that my Ex had talked our daughter into thinking the move would be like being in DisneyLand~ heck he even has had her doing tons of stuff like sailing lessons, surfing lessons, and so on... and she really has enjoyed these things and had fun doing them. The mediator confirmed that both my daughter and Ex had talked about these things.

I then asked the mediator, why if it is DisneyLand like, does our daughter want to live with me? I don't take vacations like her dad, we don't go anywhere "fun" and exciting, no sailing or surfing lessons...

Life around my house is pretty boring in contrast~ we take trips to the park, we go play soccer together, take walks along the river, hang out at home doing crafts, hang out cooking...

There is the key~ while my Ex keeps my daughter busy taking all these lessons, they are things she is doing on her own. Where as activities at my house are "family" things... we are together. I don't pawn her off on who ever will take her. In fact often I am talking her out of not going with this friend or that friend and having her come up with family centered things we can do.

I guess because I have lived without her, I learned to cherish every moment I have with her and with my kids that I have 24/7. I realize that each moment of their childhood is a moment to hang on to and enjoy.

The mediator and I talked about some of the reasons my daughter wants to live with me instead of her father...

Bottom line, even though she loves both of us, when it comes down to it, I spend the QUALITY time with her doing quality things. My boring everyday life is all about my kids. They all know it and thrive on it.