Art has had health issues off and on forever, but worse since 2020. 2021 he seemed to be doing great and improving. We added children to our home in 2021, very long story! I had to hire lots more outside help to keep up with the dogs and farm. My brain is chronic mush now. I had no idea parenting was going to require me being physically gone with so many appointments, constant mental work to be a better parent/person, plus all the constant supervision would prevent my normal work pattern. (My “normal” working is as much as 2, or 3 people daily is down to one normal persons workload.) My grown kids pointed out years ago I must have undiagnosed ADHD, and be a workaholic. LOL, Who knew? Art’s working had stopped in late 2021. When we did the foster parent training in early 2021 Arts health issues had improved and seemed temporary. He had recovered a few months after gallbladder surgery, we then welcomed our first child. Then he developed abdominal hernias 4 months later. Since then he has had mesh put in, mesh taken out, chronic pain, mental stress, noise sensitivity and has not been able to physically or mentally help. We decided persistent problems in our relationship were not going to change and he moved out August 2023, I hope he has peace, improved health, and happiness.
Children are such a blessing, I would not go back to the simple life I had, although being a single parent of 3 dependent kiddos was not the plan. I have 3 adult bio kids too. Please support parents, and give grace to those having a hard time. The nations/worlds very broken system is not protecting children, or their struggling parents, who were not protected when they were children themselves. No one is prefect (my teens then, and now would be happy to point out my flaws!! we all have flaws…) If you’re struggling, please ask for help, and keep asking for help until you get what you need!
