I was 42 when I realized I couldn’t keep raising my kids in the emotional chaos of my marriage. Their father was emotionally and verbally abusive—and cheating. I knew staying would only teach them the wrong version of love, so I filed for divorce. It took 3.5 years to finalize, and it was brutal. I had to show up for court, co-parent with someone who constantly crossed emotional boundaries, and still keep my kids grounded and safe. I worked multiple jobs, went through postpartum depression, and juggled toddler tantrums while managing my own grief and exhaustion. But I also taught my kids how to speak up, how to set boundaries, and how to think for themselves—even when it meant calling out their own father’s behavior. It wasn’t perfect, but I stayed steady and led with love. Now they’re adults in strong, healthy relationships, and I know that the hard choices I made gave them a better start. I’m here for anyone trying to parent in the middle of that kind of storm—you don’t have to do it alone.