Brittany, the dream where you and your children's father are in a store, moving through it independently, carries a sense of disconnection and searching. The act of going upstairs separately and then being unable to find him when it's time to check out suggests feelings of frustration or concern about the state of a partnership or co-parenting arrangement. It may reflect a sense of drifting apart or challenges in communication that you're experiencing in your waking life.
The fact that you spotted him again but still couldn't reach him could symbolize missed connections or opportunities to reconcile differences. The store setting, a place of choices and transactions, might indicate that there are decisions to be made regarding the relationship with your children's father. The separation and the search in the dream hint that you're looking for a way to navigate these choices and find a sense of unity or understanding.
Comparing this dream to your previous ones, there's a recurring theme of searching and emotional intensity, such as looking for relatives, dealing with unwelcome guests, and even facing a pack of wolves. These narratives suggest you're often confronting obstacles or seeking resolution in situations that evoke strong emotions. While this latest dream is not as intense or fantastical as previous ones, the underlying sense of seeking and relationship dynamics is a common thread.
Remember, the store is a place where we often feel the need to make choices, and going upstairs might reflect a desire to elevate or improve the situation. However, the difficulty in finding your children's father could indicate a need for better communication or a shared approach to problem-solving in your real-life interactions. Reflect on the current dynamics and consider if there's a way to bridge any gaps that might exist, just as you sought to reconnect in the dream.