Ahh Divorce, how fun..

[Shredder]

For those wondering where the stress was coming from.....now you know :/...I saw it coming a year and a half ago when the fights started, but I won't bore you with the details.  The conventions are about the only time I manage to get out of the house and be around happy people my own age. 

But, my mood is improving a bit, knowing I won't have to put up with my father anymore...

Speaking of cons, Ivey, did you ever find the 'lost' Wise interview? I could use some more good news .

[Raphael]

Dang, sorry to hear that this is the source of your stress, Shred...hopefully, things will improve for you now.

[Aignatius]

Sorry to hear it, Shredder. It's a tough situation to deal with, all around.

[Shredder]

Well, last week my mood did improve a little. I know we'll be keeping the shore house, so at least I'll be able to have my own retreat to go to on my own.....And now I don't feel so much pressure about having to move out of the house like every other kid my age, since my mother will need some more help now around it...so things have been lightening up slightly...

[Aignatius]

Glad to hear you're weathering it well enough, because often with parental splits, the financial situation can often change. Not to mention the loss of one of the parents in the house. That's tough enough on its own.

[moronqueen]

Ack...yeah, that is a very hard situation...it won't be easy, but you'll come through it ok. Most of the divorcees I've met have ended up happier in the end - my own parents included.

Take care..

[HUN]

I just happened into this thread while surfing. That's tough, Shred!
I'm unhappy to say that I can relate to your experience. My now ex-wife called it quits with me after 18 years.
I'm just supporting her and my teenage daughter until she graduates from high school, and then I'll be moving on into the single life as an ineligible bachelor. I'll be putting on the "Bruce Wayne" disguise for now; without the monetary image, of course! 

It can be hard at times, but I have friends at work(which I'll be closer to soon-YAY!), and family that help me get through it all.
It's nothing I would wish on anybody! Divorce is just too painful! 

Two watchwords for all thinking about going into marriage: counseling and prenup! 

[Shredder]

I don't think my parents tried all that much councelling. Unless they snuck it in during work hours so we wouldn't worry as much about what was going on, there where maybe only 4 times in two years I could see them going.  Vitales are not known for talking about their inner most feelings.  I know that I am probably not privy to everything that was going on, but just by the things that I'm observing...

- It started when my mother started to get a life.   You can only take so much time at home each night.

- It started when my sister moved out....

- It started when after my mother got her social calender going, my father was left with more time to think about how dull his life is.  All he did was sit home, watch TV and the Military channel.  He also started to like listening to country music, and when I heard the depressing songs on that station, I knew it couldn't be good for his mood.  The few times he did go out with non work friends, he said of his own admission without any prompting from me that it felt good to get out.  But of course, he soon settled back into a rut.  And then blames other folks for his bad mood and attitude that probably became of staying home so much..

[Mindy]

Keep yourself as busy as you can with moments of reflection. That's the best advice I can offer in such hard times, Shred. *hugs*