So....

[Rareearth]

Every situation is unique.

Don't let the kid play you though, one side against there other, half truths etc, that would make things difficult and nasty.

Open mind, supportive and fair, it's the best you can do.

[cottonpicken]

i'd stick a shotgun in his face and say don't ever **** with my kid again

[malleefarmer]

Been there done this. My first wife left i had a 5 8 and 10 year old at the time.
A few mediation sessions etc didnt work out.
Had kids every second weekend.
Reasonably amiable split divorce and payout settled.

Then a new women came into my life well things changed gloves off i basically took it all on the chin but heaps of troubles with her partners etc and the kids almost hated me.

Funny 15 years later kids love me to death think the "truth" kind off all came out without me saying a word as they became adult sort of 180 degrees.

Mother blew payment and sold house i bougt her took about 7 years basically penniless.
Has two more kids with another guy now there going through messy divorce.

As farma said never argue in front of kids and just keep your cool at all times worked for me

[blackpowder]

Long story involving psych stuff.
Sorry for posting personal crap when angry.
Good replys.
Having said that, I would be willing to help others through the minefield.
Guaranteed you will step on some. Very tricky system we have.
Will shoot email address if anyone wants.

[sumdumguy]

BP, we have been through some of what you post . They should call the show, "Kids in a War Zone." one thing I tell the kids that are in the middle, "You will be smarter for it, you will be an excellent judge of character because you have watched people at their finest and their worst." whenever I hear the song whit the lyrics, "whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger", I'm pretty sure that's where it came from. But they do grow up and that support they get from you, uncles and aunts and grandparents is so important.