Just had mediation. Back story: 19 yr marriage. stay at home wife 48y. 2 kids, with one step child, 14,18, and 26. Filed 10 months ago, wife would not get anything done. Had to have court force mediation.

Met with Stbx day earlier and tried to get her up to speed. Div of assets done. CS and maintenance up in the air.

This mediation was without our attorneys. Confirmed div of assets. If I would not have already done it it would have taken 3 days at this speed. CS number agreed upon. Maintenance put on hold because stbx didn't have her papers completed. He asked for a ballpark number and she thru out 5500, not including CS. When I asked if we could discuss imputing income because she NEEDS to work, to decrease amount he said "NO". Nothing more accomplished.

Later in the evening called her and told her when she works even at minimum wage her take home will be more than I get to keep. She tells me "Im not going to work". Finally realized I'm not even mad about the money, I've come to terms with that. I'm mad that she won't grow up, and that I just want her to work, lose the sense of entitlement, be successful/productive for the kids sake, etc.

I am no longer responsible for keeping her safe, putting her on the path for success. She'll get some money, hopefully not quite as much. It's not my job to do anything else for her. Her future is hers and mine is mine. I suspect when the alimony runs out she will still play the victim, make me the bad guy. I'm ok with that.

Keep working on yourself. I am.