Hi everyone. My name is Steve and I'm a new single parent (as of 3 weeks ago) trying to figure out what I don't know and need to find out, as well as get answers to the challenges I do know about.

I'm not a new dad. I have two adult daughters from my first marriage (25 and 24). They are both graduated from college. One lives in Massachusetts and the other not far from me in northern Virginia (she's down here for grad school). Their mom died of breast cancer when she was 48.

I remarried a woman very much younger than me. Its a long story and probably would make a good book, if you like reading horror stories. We had a son together. Sean will be 7 in May. I found out three weeks ago that my wife has been having an affair with a married guy in our neighborhood for over a year. No, not a younger guy, I believe he's older than me. Anyway, we've separated and as far as I'm concerned there is nothing to build back on and I'm about to file for divorce. She's living with the guy who she's having the affair with (his wife left him).

I'm sure on many levels I'm still working out my emotions about all this, and long-term I'm pretty sure I'll figure it all out. In the meantime I'm wondering if any of you have to travel occasionally in your jobs. If you do, and also have young children who can't be alone, how do you work that out? I have a sister about an hour and a half away and she's willing to take care of him during those occasional times I need to travel, but I don't want to interrupt his education. I'm concerned, even with homework, that he'd be at risk of falling behind. I have a 60 mile commute to DC and even after 4 years I've not met many neighbors because of leaving early and getting home late. I'm concerned about hiring a stranger to come into my home when I travel, and even more concerned about asking a neighbor who I don't know if they'd take him in while I travel. He's a sweet, responsible boy who diligently does his schoolwork, clears his dishes from the table, puts dirty clothes in the clothesbasket, etc.

I already had to get rid of our dog because he was soiling our carpets during the day with no one in the house to let him out (not that my wife was doing good at that when she was home either though).

Anyway... if anyone has some advice for me I'd love to hear it. In the meantime I need to get back to my "to-do" list to see if I've forgotten to put something on it and if there is something I need to be working on... I'm normally good at remembering things, but with my new circumstances I am occasionally feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I'm sorry to hear your troubles. Is it possible for one of your daughters to move to your home?

As far as school, on the bright side your son is very young and can adjust IMO to any consistent change you make. There is also only a few months left till summer, good time to work out the details before the next school year. Ask your son whom he likes to play with afterschool, and meet his friend's parents. You might have a parent volunteer to help without asking

Because divorce can get very messy and unpleasent, perhaps moving closer to your job may be a good way to get a fresh start.

Hope things work out for you..... endings are just new beginings.

I am so sorry to hear that your wife was having an affair! My husband has left me deciding he does not want this baby that I am pregnant with. We also have a two year old daughter. I believe (but do not know for sure that he is having an affair).

If you have to travel for work it does make things difficult. I do not have advice for you on that end but just wanted to lend a listening ear.