A lot to go through and separations are never easy. But you took that first step and I think you will find that you are a lot stronger than you think.
I just recently ended a 9 year relationship and that was the hardest thing to do but I feel so much better now and realizes now after a while how long things had been, but it's sometimes hard to se what's right in front of you when you are to close but if you step back and se from a distance you see things differently and clearer.
I hope things turns out great for you and your kids and remember to do what feels right for you. Cheers