I think you handled it the right way, WTBH. After all, why should it be up to YOU to make excuses for HIM? HE is the one who should be doing whatever he can to make his kids feel better because HE is the one who let them down. NO, I do not think he is right - I think he is just trying to further manipulate you into doing his dirty work for him. Why lie to your kids and make excuses for their father? As they grow up, they are going to see him for what he is and I think it may cause more problems down the road, because you'll have painted a false image, so to speak, of who their father really is and they're going to have to reconcile who they 'thought' he was with who he actually is. It's not that you're badmouthing him to them all the time or anything like that, you're just not lying and covering for him, and why should you? I think you're doing great and I think you handled it just fine!