Divorce just started. Still living together, kids in the house. How did you stay sane?

I initiated divorce after years of unhappiness and failed attempts to fix things. She’s blindsided. I’m not, though… I’ve been sitting with this decision for a long time.

We’re still under the same roof while things get sorted out, and the tension is palpable. My focus right now is keeping things as stable as possible for the kids and not letting the household dynamic become a war zone.

For the dads who’ve been through this:

1. How did you handle the in-between period before one of you moved out?

2. How did you talk to your kids (or not) during the early stages?

3. What do you wish you’d done differently in those first few months?

I’m not looking for people to tell me I made the right call. I’m at peace with it. I’m looking for practical wisdom from people who came out the other side intact.