When parents separate, there’s no knowing just how things will pan out. This mom’s reaction to her ex’s new girlfriend has shown many people just what can happen.

Parental separation is a fact of life. Sometimes, mothers and fathers just can’t be in a relationship anymore.

They have to either divorce or break up. The stereotype in these situations is that the parents will fight over their children and resent their ex’s new partners. But real life is often different, as this story shows.

When Audrey Loving and Corey Henry were 18, they met and soon formed a close relationship. Before long, they were engaged and expecting a child.

However, their relationship was not to be. Corey got a job far away. The couple tried to be long distance. But over time, they realized that their differences meant that they wouldn’t be able to spend their lives together.

Loving and Henry separated. Loving ended up taking on full custody of their child, Riley.

However, Henry still wanted to be a major part of Riley’s life. Loving was more than happy to oblige, and Riley ended up spending as much time as possible with her father. In fact, Henry got to have Riley most weekends.

Throughout this time, Loving was determined to be positive about the women that Henry would go on to date.

When she was growing up, Loving’s own parents separated, and she heard lots of negative comments about her parents’ new partners. She knew that she didn’t want Riley to ever hear that kind of talk.

So when Henry got a new girlfriend, Whitney McGraw, Loving felt a mix of emotions. But she was able to see things from McGraw’s perspective and did her best to reach out and be friendly.

“It’s awkward for her too – dating someone with a kid.” – Audrey Loving.

Of course, Loving had hurdles to climb. The anxiousness of handing over her daughter to someone she was unfamiliar with took over. She would write long lists of instructions for McGraw to follow.

However, McGraw could understand the mother’s anxiety. So she kept Loving updated, sending frequent pictures of Riley enjoying herself.

Loving soon grew comfortable with the idea of handing Riley over to McGraw.

She even ended up writing a thank you note to McGraw on Facebook.

“I’m super thankful for her because when she visits her dad she feeds her, takes care of her, buys her gifts, and basically takes care of her like her own.”

Loving also asked why so many other women were spiteful or jealous of their ex’s partners.

She explained how there is no benefit for anyone when the mother demonizes the partner. Instead, she pointed out that mothers should be grateful of the women who occasionally look after their children. After all, if parents get along with their ex-partners’ new partners, then all it does is benefit the child!

Loving’s post soon went viral. To date, it has gained over 564,000 reactions. It also has more than 284,000 shares and 58,000 comments. People have been saying things like this:

Of course, every relationship is different. Some parents may not be able to love their ex’s partners in the way that Loving does. But every parent who shares their child with an ex can make an effort to get along with their ex’s new partner. At the end of the day, it’s for the good of the child!

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Source: Today