Ant Anstead is getting his life back on track as a single dad after hissurprise split from Christina Anstead.
“Every day is an improvement. Obviously, going back a couple of months, I mean, it was a big hit,” the father of three says, sharing that he’s proud to finally be feeling like himself again after being in “a very dark place.”
And that’s exactly what he did.
Ant Anstead/Instagram
He also learned to lean onhis two older childrenfrom his first marriage — Amelie, 17, and Archie, 14 — who live in the U.K. with their mom and his first wife, Louise. “They are genuinely my best friends,” he says of the teens, adding that the split “was devastating for them.”
“It was a very, very difficult FaceTime call,” he says of breaking the news to them. “They loved Christina — they still do — and they really wanted us to work. I think every child just wants to see their parents happy.”
He has also found solace inspending time with his youngest, Hudson. “This process without him would’ve been incredibly difficult,” he says. “He’s filled my heart. He really saved me.”
The pair enjoy going to the beach, reading, and getting out and being active, and recently spent Christmas together in Arizona. “He and I have got this really amazing relationship between us,” Ant says. “We’ve got this dad-son bond, and, I’m telling you, he’s one of the coolest kids around.”
Christina filed for joint custody of Hudsonin November, and the pair aim to co-parent amicably. “There’s never been a scenario where I’ve asked for him and not had him and vice versa,” Ant says.
RELATED VIDEO: Ant Anstead Jokes He Can’t Hold Onto a Job or ‘My Wives’ After Wheeler Dealers Exit
The former couple had worked toblend their familiessince they started dating in 2017, and Ant hopes to maintain a bond with Christina’s kids, daughter Taylor, 10, and son Brayden, 5, whom she shares with her first husband andFlip or Flopcostar, Tarek El Moussa, as well.
“I hope that we’ll always have a relationship. If they ever need me, I’ll be there in a heartbeat,” Ant says. “All five kids are the first priority.”
Christina and Ant Anstead with their children.Ant Anstead Instagram
Christina concurred that the kids are “our priority” when she announced their separation, later writing of her own emotional turmoil: “I never thought I would have one divorce let alone two . . . instead of getting stuck in these ‘setbacks’ I choose to look at these challenges as opportunities to grow.”
While some days are harder than others, Ant says he’s “making steps toward healing, even if it’s really slow.”
After all, he says, “there’s no quick fix for a broken heart.”
For more on Ant and his life after divorce, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE orsubscribe here.
source: people.com
