After the divorce, my 14-year-old son asked to live with his dad

After the divorce, my 14-year-old son asked to live with his dad. I didn’t fight it—I just wanted him to be happy and healthy. I stayed close and tried to show up whenever he needed me. But then the calls started coming in… teachers saying his grades were slipping and that he looked unwell. The next day, I went straight to his school. He got in my car, and my heart sank—he looked exhausted.

I asked what was going on, and what he told me broke me. He said he felt invisible. His dad worked long hours, and he didn’t want to be a burden, so he kept everything inside. He wasn’t sleeping, barely eating, and trying to handle life alone. I hugged him and promised he’d never have to struggle silently again. From that day on, we rebuilt—together.