Divorce

I've never been divorced, and never broke up a relationship with kids, but I have had a break up from a fiance' that I was with for 7 plus years and we had bought a house, car and furnishings together. It was nasty. All I can say is that I stuck to my core goals. I was willing to live without much and kept what was really important. I'm saying this because you'll have days where you feel like throwing in the towel, but don't. Pick your battles. In the end, despite her filing bankruptsy and sticking me with $22k of her debt I managed to keep my house, my good credit score and I recovered and started over. I kept drinking to a minimum and tried to keep busy (I was in paramedic class at the time, no choice but to remain busy). I found the girl I was meant to be and am now married with two beautiful little girls.
As for the child, and I'm speaking from a perspective of a child who's parents were divorced, NEVER speak badly of your ex. NEVER play mind games with the child and tell her the truth as it's appropriate. My father said some nasty things about my mom and I saw how it upset my mother. I still don't respect my father for this so don't make the same mistake. Children don't always understand, even if they say they do. Keep this in mind. Look at this situation as a chance to re-do all the things you thought you should in your life.