This is a bit of a challenge. I want to be mad that he took advantage. I want to shift the scenery to erase his breach. I want to not feel sadness or disappointment.

But I’m sad that he so quickly jumps back after tiny steps forward. That this place now feels a shade of tainted, and I was enjoying the relief and comfort of a home base not tinged with a look over my shoulder. I’m disappointed- in him, for our kids, for the loss of (what turned out to be) a fleeting peace.

While I would be justified to point the finger, I will take the blame. I relaxed my shoulders. I called him- thinking I could believe he would act in good faith. I didn’t keep my boundaries intact.

So, he did what he wanted and forgot what he was supposed to remember.

I don’t need to say it again. Now I can feel okay about the consequence. Maybe the one I needed to worry about was him all along. Our teenagers watched my leniency with him, watched me teach him how to treat me, and followed suit. Our overgrown toddler has crossed the line and this time I will not move that line for him. This is how I become powerful.