Nothing prepares you for those moments when your child's away from you, having their time with your STBXW and a memory flashes through your mind and you have to instantly lock it down or risk becoming a mess.

It feels so unnatural to have to shut out thoughts of your child.

Especially when they're still in the family home they were born in and I'm living out of a suitcase in parents' spare room.

I'm 4 months in to a horrible separation; 2 months in to living apart. Just last weekend, my little girl asked me, "when are you coming back, Daddy?" with a sad face. Man, just writing that makes me so choked.

I hate this. Does it get better?!