DEAR ABBY: We hear so many horror stories concerning children of divorce, it might be encouraging to hear of one where both parents handle the situation very well.
Since the divorce seven years ago, the two children (now 11 and 13) have been in the custody of their mother. Of course, the father has visitation rights. Never has either parent said anything derogatory about the other. The two have always lived in different areas -- now Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio -- and each has initiated phone calls to the other for the children.
When the mother (my daughter) goes to her Air Force reserve duty in Dayton, the children stay with their father, and occasionally, she, too, stays there. Similarly, when the father and his wife come to Cleveland to see the children, they have stayed at my daughter's home -- as have his relatives.
Last Christmas, they had the greatest arrangements, demonstrating what exemplary parents they are -- the new wife included. During the Christmas vacation, the girls spent several days with their father, then on Christmas Eve when he brought them back to their mother's home, he and his wife stayed overnight, so they could all share Christmas morning with the children.
Abby, wouldn't it be wonderful if more divorced couples could handle the situation so well? -- GRATEFUL GRANDMA IN FLORIDA
DEAR GRATEFUL GRANDMA: Some do, but unfortunately, most do not.