Mom moves away, to try to get kid away from Dad. Things escalate and Dad is given custody. Child support is waived so Mom can visit often, but she visits only rarely. This could possibly be due to economic hardship, but most outward signs point to choice. ?? Twice, she tells kid she's moving back, but doesn't. This may be due to difficulty finding "the right" job here, or it could be due to more glamorous life and new boyfriend, where Mom currently lives.
Mom and new BF volunteer as mentors with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Does that strike you as a commendably healthy way to take grief over missing one's child and redirect it into "giving back" and helping other children? Or, does it seem like a vaguely hostile message to the kid: Mom's not going to rearrange her life to come back and live near you. Instead, she's going to make herself feel somewhat better by spending time with a different kid, since you're not around.
Honestly, I can't decide which one I think. I always wonder what I'd do in her shoes. But volunteering like this never crossed my mind.
Mom and new BF volunteer as mentors with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Does that strike you as a commendably healthy way to take grief over missing one's child and redirect it into "giving back" and helping other children? Or, does it seem like a vaguely hostile message to the kid: Mom's not going to rearrange her life to come back and live near you. Instead, she's going to make herself feel somewhat better by spending time with a different kid, since you're not around.
Honestly, I can't decide which one I think. I always wonder what I'd do in her shoes. But volunteering like this never crossed my mind.