I wholeheartedly agree with what Jenny has written. It takes years to get over that kind of trauma and your daughter has been affected, no matter how young she was when you left.

If you’re happy with the way things are, that’s all that matters. I haven’t “gone out to work” since leaving my abusive ex and my son is now ten. School hours don’t leave a lot of leeway if you don’t want to use other childcare providers, and so I have worked hard on building my freelance business. I still have family members who think I do nothing and don’t earn. I can’t even be bothered with entering any discussions with them…