When my 6-year-old son, Kavi, asked for a hug and I brushed him off, his whisper that his mom, Anara, said I didn’t love him shattered me. After our divorce, Kavi had grown distant, and I realized Anara’s subtle comments—like saying I didn’t want him or would forget him—were poisoning his trust in me. Confronting her led to defensiveness and escalated tensions, with her canceling my visits and claiming Kavi felt “safer” with her.
Documenting these issues, I pursued mediation, then legal action for shared custody. A court evaluation revealed Kavi’s fear of upsetting either parent by loving the other. The judge granted equal custody and therapy for Kavi. Later, Anara’s cousin revealed her struggles with drinking and job loss, which fueled her bitterness. I approached
Anara with empathy, leading to an honest talk where she admitted her mistakes. We became allies, attending Kavi’s events together and holding family dinners. A year later, Anara was sober and working again. Now, at nine, Kavi asks for hugs freely, and I never refuse, knowing love means being present, even through pain.
