Did you know flight attendants have the 5th highest divorce rate among occupations? I realize you didn't marry, just pointing it out.
Question: When your child lived with you 4th grade to college, did you still have to pay the mother child support?
There is wisdom in your post, but we differ on the "trick". Sure a work ethic goes a long way. But any male who will listen, I explain to them that marriage is absolutely something to never do. What MMM is going through I wouldn't wish on any guy.
Since this is a retirement board, the "older" crowd it attracts, will have experiences that do not support my advice. But what the people here have to realize is, the world has changed. I probably would have gotten married as well, if this was the 60's or 70's. The world used to be a place where you could get married and stay married. Those days are over.
For example, the most current trend is for the woman to claim "she's afraid". Once this is on record, the police/judge act accordingly. Supervised visitation to your kids, restraint orders, you get to communicate in an app to document your dialogue, to determine if your "abusive", etc
All of that on top of child support, alimony, court fee's, etc.
No thanks, I think I will tell any who shall listen what could happen, the minute she decides she's "unhappy".