I left my partner when our second child was 18 months. I had known deep down that we weren't ba life partnership match for a while, but having babies and PPA/PPD made me realize I needed a partner I was passionate about and that was the example I wanted to set for my kids. I knew he loved me and didn't want it to end but I also felt he deserved to not have a partner who was pretending to be happy.

We have amicably co parented from day one, 50/50 with no legal stuff in place. We work around each other's schedules and always focus on the kids wants and needs first. I have a good relationship with his family and it's actually his mom who has been a huge support to me when I had a baby with my new husband instead of my mom (we are estranged) or my husband's mom (she's... difficult).

I think a co-parenting situation can be a wonderful and kids need not suffer when everyone puts them first. I had my kids super young and I just was not the same person years into the relationship.