Hi Bec,
As a mother, sometimes we are faced with great personal sacrifice for our children. I will answer as only a mother, although I fully comprehend your struggle to cope with being both a sufferer and a carer.
You seem very willing to take this path for your child.As a mother who has done the same, I commend and applaude you.
For my own sacrifice....well,
It took a huge physical toll, and ultimately four hours of surgery to repair the damage my ex husband caused me. I had to relocate my children and it took a further three weeks after the damage had been done until I was able to have surgery. My reasons for this was so my kids never knew what had happened. They still have a very good relationship with their father. No child should ever have that kind of burden placed on them. As far as I was concerned, right or wrong, I would protect my kids mental health at all costs. It is hard enough being an adult, and dealing with life, let alone facing the horrors and being a child.
For all that has happened in our personal lives, parents will always do their utmost to protect their children and save them from the pain we intimately know and feel.
Once again, I commend you. You have already done the "right" thing for your child. You have placed his needs above your own. In the end, you will take strength from that and move to further heal yourself.
You are amazing.
Ryair xxxxxxxx
P.S. Ex was not Tonka