SF

what to do ?

In the last few weeks SF has changed. I dont know how long it will last. he has got himself a job which he enjoys, it doesnt pay much but at least he is working and for those hours he is not in the pub. I have begun to receive CSA payments (all of £5 per week for 3 dependant children). Still it will go towards the milk bill. Where he works they allow the staff to buy food which isclose to its end date cheap at the end of each day so he has been bringing us food parcels. Mostly things that are not really an awful lot of good but at least its giving the boys something extra to eat and saves me buying as much. They will soon be sick of southern fried chicken drumsticks!

Anyway he is starting to turn into the kind of father he should be. On tuesday he took #2 son to buy him some new clothes (couple of pairs of jeans and some t-shirts using his discount). He has also promised to take the boys out bowling today. Now my boys have grown up with their father making promises to take them places and do things with them then on the day letting them down. I really couldn't believe it last year when he promised to take them to the pictures during half term but what he did (which I guess was an improvement on his usual total let down) he met them in town then gave them the money to go in without him!
I won't believe he is taking them bowling today until it actually happens. But he has already thrown a spanner in the works. He told #2 that he is also taking his girlfriend's daughter. Now my boys have known this girl for the last 10 years. #3 & #4 are now saying that they wont go if she is there. She is about 21 I would guess now. She has downs syndrome. She is not the only downs syndrome child we know but is by far the worst. My boys are horrified that they are expected to go anywhere with her. I am not sure if I should persuade them to go after all he might not offer again. But what would be the point if they dont enjoy it. Part of me thinks maybe as we are being civil to each other at the moment maybe I should offer to go along with them.

update
he has postponed bowling until tomorrow. me thinks it wont happen!!