u/Terrible-Way-9368

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out because I’m currently in the hardest phase of my life. My wife and I are separating, and in about 30 days, she is moving back to France from Michigan (US) with our 3 and 5-year-old children.

I’ve decided not to block the move to keep the peace, but the reality is starting to hit me hard. I find myself crying in the garage, feeling like my life is falling apart. I’m terrified of the silence that will follow when they leave, and I’m scared of losing my bond with my kids.

I’m looking for a "tribe" or some brothers-in-arms who have been through international or long-distance co-parenting.

• How did you keep your head above water during the last weeks before the move?

• How do you deal with the void in the house after the kids are gone?

• Any success stories of staying a "hero" in your kids' eyes from thousands of miles away?

I’m starting therapy and looking into DivorceCare, but I need to hear from men who actually walked this path. I need to know it’s possible to survive this and still be a great dad.

Thanks for the support.

Hi everyone,

I’m facing a situation I never thought I’d be in. My wife and I are separating, and she will be moving back to France from the US with our two young children (5 and 3 years old) in about 30 days. I will be staying in the US for work, at least for now.

I have decided not to fight the move because I want to keep things as peaceful as possible for the kids, but I am terrified. The idea of being 4,000 miles away from them is breaking me. I’m currently dealing with a lot of anxiety and a heavy sense of loss.

I’m looking for advice, stories, or any "success" experiences from parents (especially dads) who live far from their young children. Specifically:

1. How do you stay "present" for a 3 and 5-year-old through a screen? What are your best tips for FaceTime/Skype that don't just involve asking "how was your day?"

2. How did you handle the first few months of silence in the house? I’m worried about the depression and the void once they are gone.

3. What should I include in my parenting plan now to protect my rights later? I want to ensure I get them for summers and holidays without a struggle.

4. How do you manage the time zone difference (6 hours) to maintain a daily routine?

I want to be the best father I can be, even from a distance. I’m not ready to give up on being a core part of their lives. If you’ve been through this, please tell me it’s possible to keep a strong bond.

Thank you for reading.