My ex husband has been trying to come back in the picture after a 3 year hiatus. The last time our kids saw him is when they were 13, 10 and 7. My ex was a bad alcoholic. He's a year sober know and goes to church. He said he gave himself to a higher power and it helped him remain sober which I'm happy for him. But he seems to think he's entitled to our kids forgiveness. The last time they saw him 3 years ago is when they were living with him because I was going through chemo and weak. He got drunk and him and his girlfriend started beating on each other. His girlfriend had a history of pulling knives on people so my eldest got between them to try to keep their dad safe and he slapped our eldest son and threw him into bikes, then threw him downstairs and spit in his face. Neighbors called the police and my brother got guardianship of our kids while I was going through chemo. My ex feels entitled to our kids forgiveness. My younger ones won't forgive him unless our eldest does and my eldest has made it clear he wants nothing to do with his dad. My ex keeps saying he got sober and rehabilitated. Maybe this is a hot take on rehabilitation but I think part of it is excepting you have to live with the consequences of your actions. Just because you change doesn't mean the people you hurt have to forget. Our kids don't want anything to do with him and I'm not sure there is much I can do to change that