What has been your experience with children and divorce?

I’m divorced, and I have children. My divorce was the result of hiding my sexuality behind alcoholism for many years. When I came out of the closet and took away the veil of inebriation, I found it impossible to stay in a heterosexual marriage.

When we split up, my ex and I shared custody of the children, and they would live with me half the time. They came to my house every other week and spent the other weeks with my ex.

Ten years down the road, I’m happy to report that the outward signs are that our children are very well-adjusted. They have friends. They get good grades in school, and they have interests that keep them busy outside school.

I ask this question, because I have a non-Fluther friend who’s thinking about getting a divorce. He has 3 children. This article suggests that there aren’t too many differences between children in divorced households and those in households with both biological parents present. But these statistics paint a much bleaker picture.

What’s your take on the question? Have you experienced divorce? Can you tell us a bit about your story?