True that. I took it he meant the big moment of leaving specifically. And to cover for their absence with excuses.

I personally believe this to be a HUGE mistake, but a lot of mothers do it. Sounds like he did too. I feel like it violates trust with your kid. It's bad enough the leaving parent did that, when you cover for them, you're just adding to the trauma and pteventing them from properly grieving.

Obviously, that assessment is negated when a break up and leaving is handled amicably and responsibly with the well being of the kid front and center. It just rarely goes down that way.