i don't know you but i feel as though i have walked in your shoes regarding your feelings and issues about your daughter at least. i know just what you mean. my daughter is eleven also and i haven't been on a bike ride with her since she was seven and there are days when i feel so guilty about all of it that i can hardly breathe. i don't have a husband to deal with cuz i was divorce almost ten yrs ago, but i CAN tell you what happened while i was getting divorced. my lovely ex emptied out the bank account, all of it, every last dime, took the car, cut up all of my clothes, stole my jewelry and left me and his two kids completely and totally flat broke and refused to have visitation with the kids because he didn't want me to be able to go out and have a life of my own. please take the advice of all these smart women here and put something away for you just in your name "just in case" like you said it's really not that much $ and someday you might truly need it just to survive. i don't want to sound preachy but i have been there and done that, and i don't want anybody else suffering the way that i did. also you migh want to read posts from unrouley1 regarding her current homeless situation and what she is going through because of hubbys actions. please think about yourself and kids. it's absolutely neccessary and absolutely the right thing to do. hope you have better days soon and congrats on enrolling in school! you are obviously a strong person and i must say i admire you and your decision to keep on keepin on. take care and take more care, jenny