Amanda Stanton is not going to let her ex-husband Nick Buonfiglio make her look bad in light of unflattering media attention.
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Buonfiglio has spoken to numerous press outlets about how Stanton -- and her lifestyle -- have drastically changed since her two stints on The Bachelor franchise. He has claimed their daughters Kinsley, 4, and Charlie, 2, have been "harmed" by publicity and recently taken a backseat to her relationship with Josh Murray.
Well, Stanton has decided to share her story about being a single mother, attempting to prove her life has revolved around her children since they were born, and she can't say the same for Buonfiglio.
"I became a single mother when Kinsley was barely two and Charlie was a newborn. My parents moved halfway across the country to St Louis 6 months prior, I was trying to lose the 40 pounds I gained during pregnancy, still breastfeeding and throwing a pity party for myself while living in a family friends house in Malibu," Stanton wrote in a blog post on her official website.
"Meanwhile, their father was dating multiple girls he was meeting on Tinder, became a regular at the local bars and was going on trips to Vegas with his friends every other weekend. I remember thinking it was so unfair that he could just break up our family and then go back to living his life the way he did pre-children while my world completely revolved around them."
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Stanton revealed that two months after she split from her ex-husband, she still couldn't find the time to file for divorce because she had her hands "FULL" with the two kids.
"I actually remember getting a text from my (probably drunk) ex that read: 'you can't divorce me' you'll be 25 & divorced with two kids 'no one will ever want you!' (HA! How do you feel about that now, buddy?!?? side note: you're never stuck!)" Stanton wrote, referencing how she fell in love with Josh Murray on Bachelor in Paradise 3.
"On top of being overwhelmed and extremely angry, I felt guilty and blamed myself for not giving my kids the life I had always dreamed of giving them. I felt so much guilt that they were growing up with not only parents who weren't together, but parents who couldn't get along, not even for their sake."
However, Stanton soon realized the issue was out of her control and she had to make the best out of her situation.
"I decided instead of being embarrassed of my failed marriage and ashamed of being a single mother, I was going to OWN it. Being the best mother you can be and giving your kids the BEST life possible has nothing to do with your relationship status and you don't have to be happily married to have a 'picture perfect family,'" Stanton insisted to all the single moms out there.
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Stanton and Buonfiglio's divorce was finalized in June 2015. He's had partial custody of the girls but filed court documents earlier this month to make his arrangement with Stanton 50/50 -- with a reduction in child support to match.
"I've paid her way long enough -- she makes plenty to support herself," Buonfiglio told Us Weekly.
"Going on [Bachelor in Paradise], I was hoping (but not expecting) to find someone, not to complete me, but to add more love and happiness to mine and the girls lives. I found that with Josh! I feel like the absolute luckiest girl in the world to have met someone like him (even in the craziest of ways)," Stanton explained.
Stanton, 26, got engaged to Murray, 32, on the Season 3 finale of Bachelor in Paradise, which aired September 6 on ABC. Shortly after filming, Murray moved in to Stanton's Orange County, CA, home with her two girls.
"He truly loves Kinsley and Charlie like they're his own and they adore him right back. He is hands down the most loving, patient and understanding person I have ever met. He reminds me everyday of what's really important in life and keeps me in check when I start to forget. He is a better person than me, that's for sure," she gushed about Murray.
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Stanton said she's not sure what she did "to deserve someone like him" and called Murray "our angel."
"I didn't think men like Josh even existed, but I'm telling you first hand that they do! Never settle and be patient because your 'Josh' is out there somewhere! We are so excited to start this new chapter in our lives as a family but the memories I have of just the three of us girls are memories I will love and cherish forever and ever! Embrace it!" Stanton wrote.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski