Originally Posted by
honeypig 
the kids are usually fully aware that there is a problem (and sadly, sometimes blame themselves for it).
This is so true. Our son shared today that he told one of our neighbors yesterday about how his dad is "not in our family anymore". I asked him how he was feeling about this and of course, he began to cry and didn't have the words.
My response was that it was okay to be sad because I am too, and that his dad will also be his dad, and therefore family, even if he's not with us at home. And that his dad isn't healthy right now but hopefully one day can be. I don't think he fully understood but I'm trying my hardest to help him process this very difficult and complex emotions and create a stable home life for him, in spite of it all.