I walk through the front door and excitedly confront the mess before me. I?ve spent the past few days awaiting this moment: the moment I can finally catch up on life. The laundry piles are high, the dishwasher is full of clean dishes to put away, and the sink is overflowing with dirty ones. There are bathrooms to be cleaned, beds to be made and a refrigerator that needs to be replenished. I let out a huge sigh of relief: My home will soon be clean again.

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Divorce: Most kids thrive better with this custody arrangement Three kids, two homes and a 50-50 parenting split present me with five consecutive child-free nights. That means uninterrupted showers, a bathroom and a bed entirely my own, and sleep?hours upon hours of deep, peaceful sleep. Balance is built into my life via court order. Some people say that this is one of the perks of divorce. In theory, yes. But underneath it all, it?s not so rosy.
When I stop to survey the mess, I?m suddenly overwhelmed. Instead of rejoicing in my time alone, my thoughts are consumed with regret. I glance at the pile of clothes at the bottom of the stairs and hear my impatient voice from the day before: ?Hurry up! I?ve asked you seven times to get your soccer uniform on. We?re going to be late!? I catc...