It's good to protect your own children.
Lacey is in a relationship with Carter who supports her financially but has started treated Lacey's children poorly.
Lacey wants to preserve the relationships that are most important to her.
Lacey breaks up with Carter and takes her children with her to her parents home.
Lacey looks the other way when Carter is mean to her kids and does whatever she can to keep Carter around because she has no money of her own.
Lacey and her children are safe and have a chance to get back on their feet.
Carter eventually starts abusing Lacey as well and makes it difficult for her to leave the relationship safely.