--- title: The parent who left, and a new partner — a lesson of Mova's school · trees and pragmatics description: «The parent who left, and a new partner», a lesson of the everyday course of Mova's primary school, sentence by sentence with dependency trees and pragmatics. It begins: On his tenth birthday Corey sits by the phone all afternoon, cake untouched. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [school](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/) / [Everyday](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/) / The parent who left, and a new partner # The parent who left, and a new partner Lesson 517 of the everyday course of Mova's primary school: 46 sentences, each with its syntax tree and pragmatics. The lessons are written for Mova, and their agreed trees are part of Mova corpus 0.4 (CC BY-SA 4.0). How Mova does on its tests: [the lesson at school](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/school-run/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/). - [0](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/0/) — On his tenth birthday Corey sits by the phone all afternoon, cake untouched. - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/1/) — Dad doesn't call. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/2/) — Mum puts her arm round him: «His loss, love.» Corey is gutted (very, very disappointed). - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/3/) — Mum doesn't pretend Dad is busy; she tells him the truth: «This is about your dad, not about you. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/4/) — You did nothing wrong.» Dad doesn't ring that year either. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/5/) — Uncle Kev takes him bowling instead, and Corey wins, and it still doesn't fix the ache. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/6/) — When a parent leaves and doesn't keep in touch, it is never the child's fault. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/7/) — Hallie's mom lives in Arizona and calls only at Christmas. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/8/) — Hallie holds the phone and can't think of a single thing to say. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/9/) — I got a scooter.» Afterwards Grandpa ruffles her hair: «Bummer of a call, kiddo? - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/11/) — Daisy scrolls Instagram and sees Dad's new family: two little kids at the beach, Dad grinning. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/12/) — She feels replaced. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/13/) — Her big cousin says, «Lowkey that's rough» (lowkey = a bit, quietly), «but you're not replaced, you're his first.» Mum asks Dad to call more. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/14/) — He calls twice, then less again. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/15/) — New partners can be lovely, and that can feel complicated. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/16/) — Gareth makes Leon pancakes every Saturday and sits through his fractions without sighing. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/17/) — Leon starts to like him, then feels guilty, as if he's betraying Dad. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/18/) — Nan says, «Your heart's not a cake, pet. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/19/) — You don't run out of slices.» Sasha's dad's girlfriend paints her nails and takes her shopping. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/21/) — But when Sasha gets home, Mom goes quiet. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/22/) — Sasha says, «I had fun, but you're my mom.» Mom hugs her: «You're allowed to have fun, honey.» - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/23/) — Not every new partner gets it right. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/24/) — Mum's boyfriend Craig tells Zane, «My house, my rules, mate.» Zane snaps, «It's Mum's house.» He tells Mum, and Mum and Craig agree that Mum makes the big rules for now. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/25/) — When Riley's mum's partner moves in with his son Kai, Riley's bedroom goes to Kai and Riley gets the box room. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/26/) — He feels pushed out and says so. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/27/) — They paint the box room the colour he picks, dark green, and Kai helps. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/28/) — Riley still misses his old room, and that's allowed. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/29/) — Broken promises hurt in a special way. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/30/) — Dad promises Paige the zoo on Saturday. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/31/) — She waits on the doorstep in her coat for two hours; he doesn't show and doesn't text. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/32/) — She cries, and Mum lets her; next time Dad promises something, Mum keeps a plan B ready, just in case. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/33/) — At Mum's wedding Sky is a bridesmaid in a lilac dress. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/34/) — She smiles in every photo, then cries in the loo, happy and sad at once. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/35/) — Jordan's dad comes back for a month, all takeaways and football, then is gone again. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/36/) — The third time, Jordan doesn't get excited at all. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/37/) — «I don't get my hopes up no more.» His teacher says feeling numb can be the heart protecting itself, and that talking to a trusted adult helps, even when the ending isn't happy. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/38/) — When a parent leaves or doesn't keep in touch, it is never the child's fault. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/39/) — Feeling gutted, angry or numb when a parent lets you down is normal. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/40/) — A phone call with a parent you rarely see can feel awkward, and that is okay. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/41/) — Seeing a parent's new family can make a child feel replaced, but new children don't replace the first ones. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/42/) — Liking a parent's new partner does not betray your other parent; love doesn't run out. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/44/) — A new partner shouldn't take over the rules straight away; the parent makes the big rules. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/45/) — When a new family moves in, space should be shared fairly, and a child can say if they feel pushed out. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/46/) — Broken promises hurt, and it is fine to cry and to tell a trusted adult. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/47/) — Big days like a parent's wedding can feel happy and sad at the same time. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/517-the-parent-who-left-and-a-new-partner/48/) — A parent who keeps coming and going can make a child stop hoping; talking to a trusted adult helps. - ← previous: [Divorce and two homes](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/516-divorce-and-two-homes/) - next →: [When a parent has died](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/518-when-a-parent-has-died/) - ↑ back to [Everyday](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/)