My Son's wife is leaving him.

Btw I know you are most concerned about the children. They will be fine - in our case, the children were slightly older.

Believe me, they will all get through this. I am divorced. My daughter is divorced. Tough at first. But we are all contented, successful and living our best lives.

I’m so glad I decided to reach out. Thank you each for taking the time to respond.

Two months after my husband died, both our daughters came to tell me they were unhappy in their marriage and were getting divorced, between them there were three children ranging from 3 to 9 years of age.

They both told me that since their dad died too young, they have realised that life was too short to be unhappy.

Ten years down the line, everyone has moved on, all parties are now remarried and very happy together. Our grandchildren are all fantastic and happy and that is all I want for them.

In my case, after my husband died, I was too caught up in grief to even think about what was going on with anyone else but I was always there for them when they wanted to stop for a few days and gave them a shoulder to cry on, we gave each other shoulders to cry on.

Leave them to sort it out and believe you me, they will all get through it but it will take time.

There’s no denying it but the first 3 to 6 months following my son’s separation were really hard and painful. But a year or two after the divorce was finalised, a good routine has been established and problems are not insurmountable. My grandson is growing into a caring big brother who looks out for his brother and is slowly accepting the new arrangement if somewhat reluctantly. Granny hugs help us both.

Been through this.

Your son should try to make sure that they co-parent and that he has the girls with him an equal amount of time - unless their mother wants him to have them all the time. If they will be a distance away he should try for regular weekends and half the school holidays. He will probably be glad of your help looking after them sometimes.

If he can, he should try to find somewhere to live where the girls can have their own room and belongings. This will be an equal home with their mother's, even if only at weekends and holidays. He should also ensure that their school knows that he is co-parenting and insist that he gets all the information their mother gets. All this will help him to oversee how the girls' futures develop.

He should also insist that their mother keeps him informed of all medical appointments and the like; choice of school and all the things that would normally be decided by both parents should still be joint decisions. He might have to stand up for his rights.

I hope all this can be settled amicably as that makes ongoing arrangements for child care much more pleasant.

Keep calm, keep interactions positive, advise parents work together while apart to keep things secure and have good routines for the children. Remind the children they are still loved and wanted. It will be ok

Feel sorry for you. Remembering how upset my Mum was when my brother’s wife left him. They had three young children and Mum was devastated. She did continue to see the children thank goodness. Take care.

This must be crushing for you and your son. These things are not so uncommon though.

I hope they can come to sensible arrangements for the children. It is important they see you as a safe and secure presence.

So, yes, cry away when you're alone. That is the right thing to do.