This week – feeling alienated because you chose not to breastfeed, knowing when it’s time to walk away & reconciling anger around child custody. 
I didn’t breastfeed. It was my choice & it was a very informed decision, but I ended up feeling quite alienated & like the world was against me. How do I overcome feeling like I’m not part of some divine motherhood club because of my choice? 

My partner has anxiety and is medicated. When he’s not in a good place, he takes care of himself by keeping busy, exercising, eating well and seeing friends. I do my best to be supportive and understanding, while also recognising that I’m not his therapist or mother. I feel that the inconsistency and the ups are downs of the relationship are draining and, there have been a handful of times when my partner hasn’t shown up for me when I really needed him to. Where do I draw the line in the sand for my own happiness while also being compassionate and empathetic? How do you know when to walk away?  

A couple of months ago l finally left my alcoholic husband of 11 years and took my two children to start a new and better life. Unfortunately, we are unable to agree on custody for our children. Even though I work part time and when we were together I looked after the children 100 percent, my lawyer has warned me that when this matter goes to court next month, my husband will most likely be awarded what he wants, which is 50 percent custody. How can I reconcile the unfairness of this situation? 

If you have a question for Clementine, get in touch: dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au

CREDITS

Executive Producer: Edwina Stott 
Audio Production: Adrian Walton 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie 

For more great Nova Podcasts head to novapodcasts.com.au

This week – feeling alienated because you chose not to breastfeed, knowing when it’s time to walk away &amp; reconciling anger around child custody. 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">I didn’t breastfeed. It was my choice &amp; it was a very informed decision, but I ended up feeling quite alienated &amp; like the world was against me. How do I overcome feeling like I’m not part of some divine motherhood club because of my choice?   </li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">My partner has anxiety and is medicated. When he’s not in a good place, he takes care of himself by keeping busy, exercising, eating well and seeing friends. I do my best to be supportive and understanding, while also recognising that I’m not his therapist or mother. I feel that the inconsistency and the ups are downs of the relationship are draining and, there have been a handful of times when my partner hasn’t shown up for me when I really needed him to. Where do I draw the line in the sand for my own happiness while also being compassionate and empathetic? How do you know when to walk away?    </li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">A couple of months ago l finally left my alcoholic husband of 11 years and took my two children to start a new and better life. Unfortunately, we are unable to agree on custody for our children. Even though I work part time and when we were together I looked after the children 100 percent, my lawyer has warned me that when this matter goes to court next month, my husband will most likely be awarded what he wants, which is 50 percent custody. How can I reconcile the unfairness of this situation? </li>
</ul>
If you have a question for Clementine, get in touch: <a href="mailto:dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au">dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au</a> 
CREDITS 
Executive Producer: Edwina Stott  Audio Production: Adrian Walton  Managing Producer: Elle Beattie 
For more great Nova Podcasts head to novapodcasts.com.au

In need of a little guidance? Desperate for some advice, but too afraid to ask your friends? Award winning author and proud feminist Clementine Ford is here to help. Whether you've got a question about family, career, sex or friendships Clementine is the sister you always wanted, the mum you never had, the aunty who always listened and the friend who's got your back. Dear Clementine is a podcast packed with advice you may not want but you definitely need.

In need of a little guidance? Desperate for some advice, but too afraid to ask your friends? Award winning author and proud feminist Clementine Ford is here to help. Whether you've got a question about family, career, sex or friendships Clementine is the sister you always wanted, the mum you never had, the aunty who always listened and the friend who's got your back. Dear Clementine is a podcast packed with advice you may not want but you definitely need.

Desperate for some advice, but too afraid to ask your friends? Award winning author and proud feminist Clementine Ford is here to help