Nick,

You can't imagine the joys you will experience in the next year and a half. That age is the most precious and a time when you can do the most to mold your son so that he can be a wonderful person with a wonderful future.

This is the only time when a brain is growing. It starts as a blank slate that is written on by all of the people who he comes in contact with. It is like a smart phone. Now, you need to choose and install all of the apps he will need to be successful. You get to choose what goes into that brain so that later, something good will come out of that brain.

The big difference between children of successful parents and those who are not (as) successful is the style of communication used at home. Successful parents tend to speak to their children as adults. This trains the children to think as adults. Less successful parents often talk and treat their children as property that cause annoyances. I bet your ex acts like this.

Any parent from any background can choose to elevate their children to high standards. The goal is to raise them to be good adults. If the bar is set high, they will achieve it. If the bar is set low, they will achieve that.

My wife and I have friends who have a child with Down's Syndrome. They usually are considered successful if they learn to effectively use about 80 words. This young man knows 400.

So, go for your son. Get custody and offer him a great future. You will gain a much greater chance of success from your efforts with him.

Many homeschool mom's have just a high school education. By the time they finish homeschooling their kids, they have knowledge and understanding that is equal to or better than most college graduates. The statistics show that their kids' success is not limited by the moms' lack of higher education. These kids taught by uneducated moms score 2 to 3 years ahead of their public school peers.

So, as you said, put your plans together. You can do it for both yourself and your son.

My best to you.