Thank you for saying that. I could force it through court but, ignoring expense, I remember what it’s like to have parents fight one another over me and then at the conclusion they could hardly have a conversation. I don’t want to do that to them.

My partner left and in the process revealed they don’t believe a non biological parent has any business continuing to raise the child after the romantic relationship is dissolved. I feel that my primary purpose and future are gone.

It’s not just riskier play. It’s independence as a whole. Look at how many people let their young children go to school or the park or a friend’s house on their own. Ours appears to be the most independent in the classroom - and by a good margin. That shouldn’t be the case.

I don’t want to raise someone that needs their hand held through their day. The skills we impart in the single digit years will last a lifetime. They ought to be versatile.