Am I Handling This Okay?
In all honesty? NO.
Kittykitty had some great examples.
The 'trick' here is NOT to engage at all. Goods answers are:
hmmmmmmm
i'll have to think about that
hmmmmmmm
No thank you.
and walk away.
In your mind, put a piece of duct tape over your mouth and you can only remove it if a SPECIFIC question is asked about the kids, and maybe not even then if it is an absurd question.
You know sweetie, you can't change him, no reason to respond at all. When he asks what he can do to help you (yeah right) just answer 'no thank you.' Walk away.
This too is part of 'detaching.' We know we cannot change them. We know that whatever they say is going to be 'off the wall' or a 'twist' on our words, or 'something' that will push our buttons. You have to mentally put an 'out of order' sign on your buttons and mentally put the duct tape over your mouth.
It is WASTED energy on your part to 'engage' in any conversation with this man. Save that energy for your children.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
ps I know some of these mental 'pictures' may sound crazy but they do work, at least they have for me.