My STBX moved out on me in May. The usual walkaway wife stuff. She was also in at least an emotional affair for six months towards the end. We have a daughter (8) and a son (6). My son has handled everything seemingly fine. I don’t notice any differences at all. With my daughter it seems like shit has gone off the rails. There is a lot more lying, screaming, and hitting. She often says she loves her mom more and that her mom buys her stuff all the time. Her schoolwork has also gone downhill. She cries unconsolably when she gets in bed that she wants her mom and I end up letting her watch TV with me to try to get it to stop. Before my STBX left I got blamed for bad behavior because it was my parenting style and the fact that I “made” her move away from her family. Even now she tells me she is having to “unlearn” how I parented. She is quick to post on social media and tell me how great the kids are with her. It is also confusing to her how when I (rarely) go to her apartment that is the only time they act out don’t do it otherwise.

I go into my days with my kids with such excitement then my daughter will turn and I end up getting sad, angry, upset to where I hate having to dole out consequences like taking toys or raising my voice. It ends up feeling like the time is being wasted and another limited weekend is gone. Nothing seems to have an effect on my daughter and I don’t know what to do at this point besides maybe take her to a therapist. Anyway I just want my daughter to do better. I want to do what’s best for my kids. If they are doing so well with my STBX I feel like I am failing at the only thing keeping me going. If anyone has any advice or has experienced this I’d appreciate hearing about it.