My parents insisted no kids at the christmas celebration—not even my daughter. but when i arrived, i saw my ex-wife, her new family, and three kids enjoying the party. my parents said, “these children should be here.” so i let them know i’d be making some changes going forward.

T

he weekend visits with my seven-year-old daughter, Sophie, were my sanctuary. Surrounded by scattered LEGO pieces and the sweet scent of chocolate chip cookies, I could almost forget the complexities of my divorce from Clare, the bitter custody arrangement, and the way her new boyfriend, Derek, had systematically dismantled our family.