Topic : Divorce Support

Number of Replies: 4346
New Messages This Week: 2
Last Reply On:
Created on : Friday, July 01, 2005, 05:01:52 pm
Author : dataimport
Over half of all marriages end in divorce, but that doesn't make it any less painful for those going through it. Discuss your experience here.


Message Emote
blank
September 2, 2005, 10:49 pm PDT

misippimom

Quote From: misippimom

I am in my late 30's and have been married for almost 11 years. My hubby is in his mid 40's. Our marriage has been rocky for about the last 5 years. We have broken up and gotten back together several times. This is not his first rodeo. He has 2 ex wives. There have been a lot of issues. He was the kind of man that wanted to make all the decisions and have a wife who did what he said. Kind of 1950's style. I'm a more progressive kind of woman. Also he cheated at least once that I know of.  And he totes an enormous amount of baggage from his first marriage and his childhood. We finally separated for good about 6 months ago. A few weeks ago, he called me and couldn't wait to get a divorce. I am pretty sure that he has been seeing other women while we have been separated. Maybe he wants to get serious with one of them. So I have the papers drawn up and give them to him. He will come out great. No property to split. Today he tells me he doesn't want a divorce.  But he didn't exactly ask to get back together either. He wants us to be "friends" now. I'm not sure what to make of it.  Before tonight I was so sure of my feelings....now I'm more than a little confused. Should I be "friends" with him on his terms? Should I cut him loose? I know that he will never consent to go to counseling. His heart is one that I don't even think Dr Phil could sort out. Any advice out there? Getting back together is one thing if we could ever learn to get along and trust each other. But I do know that I absolutely will not get back on the love rollercoaster with him. I need a smoother ride.

Welcome misippimom  

What does he mean be friends, and what does that have to do with the divorce?  What do you want??  

Take care.  

 

Message Emote
sad
September 4, 2005, 12:09 am PDT

Clarify

Quote From: awakening

Welcome misippimom  

What does he mean be friends, and what does that have to do with the divorce?  What do you want??  

Take care.  

He means he wants to rekindle a physical relationship with me. He says he doesn't want to pursue the divorce, but he doesn't want to move back home either. He wants changes to be made. By changes, he means I need to change. As he sees all of my faults and none of his. What do I want....? Good question. I know what I don't want. I don't want to be demoted to concubine.
 

Message Emote
blank
September 4, 2005, 10:00 am PDT

misippimom

Quote From: misippimom

He means he wants to rekindle a physical relationship with me. He says he doesn't want to pursue the divorce, but he doesn't want to move back home either. He wants changes to be made. By changes, he means I need to change. As he sees all of my faults and none of his. What do I want....? Good question. I know what I don't want. I don't want to be demoted to concubine.

Just heading off to work will try to come back on later.  You already know there has to be changes on both sides, he has to change too.  But you know that.  I'm sorry I'm in a hurry, will try to catch you later.  

   

I'll leave you with this quote (I'm a bit of quote freak)  

   

I am that person who commands quality, inspires respect, and settles for nothing less than active and abiding love.  

  

Take care.  

 
User Mood
Scared

Message Emote
blank
September 5, 2005, 12:39 am PDT

You deserve better!

Quote From: candacegil

Wow--you just gave me chills!  My life is almost parallel to yours right now.  Just had our 11th anniversary this weekend.  My husband has just moved out and although he says he's trying to work on our marriage--I just got our cell phone bill and he's talking to this woman from work--almost every night.  I wonder as you do--does he want me to find out and get angry, each time I mention that obviously our marriage is over he gets angry with me and says that he's not ready to say that.  He's kept me from having friends too, so my life has been all about him for the past 15 years--now I don't know what to do without him.  I believe he has depression problems, but he would never admit to that.  I'm not sure which way to go--should I keep spending time with him on his terms and hope that he figures out that he wants our marriage or should I get angry and tell him to leave me alone until he figures this out.  I haven't told him that I know about the cell calls, I feel that if I do I then take away the one thing that gives me insite as to what he's doing.  What confuses me most is he will talk to her either right before or right after he talks to me.  He had told me once they were just friends from work, but with everything going on and him moving out, this "friendship" sure isn't helping us.  I would love to communicate more---how do we get in touch??

Your story gave ME the chills!  There is such a thing called an emotional affair.  It feels the same as a real affair.  My husband had a "friendship" with a woman from work for 6 months.  He didn't stop calling her or spending time with her even though it bothered me.  He knew I saw the cell phone bills and still didn't care.  It was all innocent, he said.  After that stopped, he started going out more with his friends from work, mostly women.  Again, he didn't care that it made me uncomfortable.  My counselor suggested that I ask him what his level of commitment was to our marriage.  My husband said that he didn't want to work on the marriage anymore and wanted to find his soulmate.  Can you say mid-life crisis?!  BONK!  Frying pan over the head for me - I finally saw the light!  I filed for divorce about 2 weeks later, which was one week after my 16th anniversary.  Today my cheating husband finally moved out of the house; he has been sleeping with someone else for about 6 weeks and couldn't even have the decency to move out.  He has not been remorseful for any of it.  He is 44 years old and doesn't take responsibility for his own actions, especially if they effect other people.  I have not been the perfect spouse, but I am in counseling and will continue treatment to get me through this.  He needs counseling, but is in heavy, heavy denial about his relationship issues.  Now, I am trying to deal with two huge losses: the divorce and his ultimate rejection of me.  And I'm trying to make sure my daughter survives this emotionally, even though her dad thinks everything is fine.  I'm scared, but I also feel like I have a new start to be the strong woman I used to be - before my husband made me wrong about everything in our relationship.  It took me a long time to get to this point and everyone's decision is personal - you have to decide when the time is right for you.  What do YOU want from your marriage?  You deserve someone that respects you and wants to be married to you.  If you are not in counseling, I recommend you find someone ASAP.  If your husband won't agree to joint counseling, then do it yourself.  I did this over 6 months ago and I'm so thankful that I was already getting therapy before this.  I wish you the very best of luck!   

 
User Mood
Stressed

Message Emote
blank
September 5, 2005, 3:23 pm PDT

annoyed

I'm going to be married for seven years in October. No children at this time. Lately everything my husband does annoys the heck out of me. From calling people names to making noises (Like if the weatherman says its foggy out. He makes a fog horn sound). He's constantly telling me that I am mean to him. Like the other night. I was sitting on the loveseat with him. I got up & moved to the couch. He said I was mean & didn't want to be with him. We've had some bigger fights about family. He's come out & said that I don't love him & don't care about him and his family. We also haven't been sexually active in awhile either. He's tired. He either loses or can't maintain an erection. He did get some samples of Levitra. He won't use them. He said he doesn't want to plan sex. Though he wants to start a family. I find that my heart is not in the relationship any more. I'm at the point where I don't want him to even touch me any more. I'm not sure I even love him any more. Also about a year ago. I walk into the house & there is a pair of ladies underware & bra on my kitchen table. He claims they were shoved in the back of our mailbox. Since then, it has always been in the back of my mind that he may have cheated. A few months back. I came across & costume jewelry braclet in his center console. He cames he found it on the ground. To this day, it still sits there. I have found that I have feeling for a guy that comes in where I work. We flirt a lot & have a lot of fun together. I find myself thinking about him all of the time. He's divorced with a son. I just don't know what to do any more.
 
User Mood
Happy

Message Emote
blank
September 5, 2005, 4:27 pm PDT

Dear "black tulip"

Quote From: blacktulip

I'm going to be married for seven years in October. No children at this time. Lately everything my husband does annoys the heck out of me. From calling people names to making noises (Like if the weatherman says its foggy out. He makes a fog horn sound). He's constantly telling me that I am mean to him. Like the other night. I was sitting on the loveseat with him. I got up & moved to the couch. He said I was mean & didn't want to be with him. We've had some bigger fights about family. He's come out & said that I don't love him & don't care about him and his family. We also haven't been sexually active in awhile either. He's tired. He either loses or can't maintain an erection. He did get some samples of Levitra. He won't use them. He said he doesn't want to plan sex. Though he wants to start a family. I find that my heart is not in the relationship any more. I'm at the point where I don't want him to even touch me any more. I'm not sure I even love him any more. Also about a year ago. I walk into the house & there is a pair of ladies underware & bra on my kitchen table. He claims they were shoved in the back of our mailbox. Since then, it has always been in the back of my mind that he may have cheated. A few months back. I came across & costume jewelry braclet in his center console. He cames he found it on the ground. To this day, it still sits there. I have found that I have feeling for a guy that comes in where I work. We flirt a lot & have a lot of fun together. I find myself thinking about him all of the time. He's divorced with a son. I just don't know what to do any more.

Nobody is perfect, of course your mate is going to get on your nerves at times!! I know my hubby definatly annoys me sometimes, sometimes its something petty, other times its my own irritability and not really anything that he did. In the beginning of your post, I was thinking that you are having symptoms of what they call the "seven year itch" and by the end of your post I was then definatly thinking that might be what is going on. Listen, don't be so quick to take up with another guy just because he's fun and flirty...wasn't it that way with your hubby at one time, also? Of course it always is in the beginning of any relationship. But then, reality sets in, the mundane everyday tasks of life take over, and before you know it, you are annoying one another. 

When you moved to another seat and your husband said you didn't want to be with him... it sounds like he might have an instinctive feeling about you with another guy... but then you are listing things that have made you suspicious of him in the past, like you are pointing a finger when what really is happening is that you are interested in another guy. 

Think before you decide that your relationship is over. Remember that no matter who you are with, life gets to be boring and annoying at times. 

 
User Mood
Relaxed

Message Emote
chillin'
September 6, 2005, 11:59 am PDT

You're vulnerable.

Quote From: blacktulip

I'm going to be married for seven years in October. No children at this time. Lately everything my husband does annoys the heck out of me. From calling people names to making noises (Like if the weatherman says its foggy out. He makes a fog horn sound). He's constantly telling me that I am mean to him. Like the other night. I was sitting on the loveseat with him. I got up & moved to the couch. He said I was mean & didn't want to be with him. We've had some bigger fights about family. He's come out & said that I don't love him & don't care about him and his family. We also haven't been sexually active in awhile either. He's tired. He either loses or can't maintain an erection. He did get some samples of Levitra. He won't use them. He said he doesn't want to plan sex. Though he wants to start a family. I find that my heart is not in the relationship any more. I'm at the point where I don't want him to even touch me any more. I'm not sure I even love him any more. Also about a year ago. I walk into the house & there is a pair of ladies underware & bra on my kitchen table. He claims they were shoved in the back of our mailbox. Since then, it has always been in the back of my mind that he may have cheated. A few months back. I came across & costume jewelry braclet in his center console. He cames he found it on the ground. To this day, it still sits there. I have found that I have feeling for a guy that comes in where I work. We flirt a lot & have a lot of fun together. I find myself thinking about him all of the time. He's divorced with a son. I just don't know what to do any more.
 I wouldn't jump into anything with another person right now. You are vulnerable because you and your spouse are not getting along. A sexless marriage can be a trigger to everything you are feeling and suspecting. I wouldn't buy his alibi about the underwear in the mailbox or the jewelry in the car, either. I would let him know that you are suspicious of his behavior because 1. he has access to Levitra and won't use it to satisfy you, so why does he have it? 2. If he won't plan sex with you, when CAN you expect it!? 3. The underwear and jewelry stories stink to high heaven. Be honest with him and tell him other men (you don't have to specify which ones) are looking pretty darn good right about now, how does that make him feel?   Oh, and get tested for STD's in case he IS using the Levitra.
But don't do anything rash with someone else until you are divorced if that's what it comes to. It's not fair to the new person and no way to start fresh, you owe that to yourself.
 
User Mood
Depressed

Message Emote
sad
September 7, 2005, 1:16 pm PDT

My husband ihurts me so bad

I didn't sleep with him, but I did let him get to my heart again. I swear, I am so stupid. My birthday was yesterday, well my stbx (soon to be ex) came home Monday evening really drunk and I helped him to bed. During the help that night and all morning yesterday he was so sweet. I want us to try to work it out, I will go to counseling if thats what you want, I believe that we can make it. So it is my birthday now, I call and set up the appointment with a counselor for next week. My husband calls me at work to see what it is exactly that I would like for dinner, so we decide that. The day goes on, I'm 40, I'm happy, it's my birthday. He comes home from work, still happy and begins to cook. Well our 10 year old is home and talking to him, then our 19 year old who lives with us comes home with her boyfriend and their new baby ... something happens, don't ask me what. I go into the kitchen when dinner is almost ready and my husband calls my 19 yr old in to see if she will finish the chicken as he has to go. I'm confused, I ask, "where are you going?" He has made a plate for his girlfriend, of my birthday dinner, and is going to take it to her at work, but will be back in about an hour or so. My heart sank to the floor and slithered off under the refrigerator never to be seen again. I felt so stupid and embarrassed for believing his lies all day. I know I don't deserve to be treated this way, but every part of my heart tells me that I should try to save my marriage. The vows do say for better or for worse.     

I wish I had the money because if I did, I would see a therapist weekly if not more and file for divorce tomorrow. I can't go on like this, he is slowly and painfully killing my heart and he doesn't even give a crap.        

Oh god, please let me win the lottery tonight ... I will gladly give him half the money just to get him out of my life once and for all and get on with living for myself and my kids.     

 
User Mood
Peaceful

Message Emote
blank
September 7, 2005, 2:17 pm PDT

Divorce

Quote From: blacktulip

I'm going to be married for seven years in October. No children at this time. Lately everything my husband does annoys the heck out of me. From calling people names to making noises (Like if the weatherman says its foggy out. He makes a fog horn sound). He's constantly telling me that I am mean to him. Like the other night. I was sitting on the loveseat with him. I got up & moved to the couch. He said I was mean & didn't want to be with him. We've had some bigger fights about family. He's come out & said that I don't love him & don't care about him and his family. We also haven't been sexually active in awhile either. He's tired. He either loses or can't maintain an erection. He did get some samples of Levitra. He won't use them. He said he doesn't want to plan sex. Though he wants to start a family. I find that my heart is not in the relationship any more. I'm at the point where I don't want him to even touch me any more. I'm not sure I even love him any more. Also about a year ago. I walk into the house & there is a pair of ladies underware & bra on my kitchen table. He claims they were shoved in the back of our mailbox. Since then, it has always been in the back of my mind that he may have cheated. A few months back. I came across & costume jewelry braclet in his center console. He cames he found it on the ground. To this day, it still sits there. I have found that I have feeling for a guy that comes in where I work. We flirt a lot & have a lot of fun together. I find myself thinking about him all of the time. He's divorced with a son. I just don't know what to do any more.

Hello.  I am so sorry for your present marital difficulties, especially hearing that "your heart isn't in it anymore," and I can completely understand you feeling like you have run out of options.  However, even in the most dire of situations, there is always hope in getting your marriage back on track, if that is what you want.  I have been turned onto a great website called www.divorcebusting.com which has a wealth of information on saving your marriage.  They offer telephone coaching consultations with highly-skilled mental health professionals who have been personally trained by Michele Weiner-Davis.  Their solution-oriented approach has been quite effective for some friends of mine, so I wanted to pass along this information to you.  

   

I wish you strength at this time.  Talk to a professional.  

   

Best,  

nikita  

 
User Mood
Good

Message Emote
blank
September 7, 2005, 8:26 pm PDT

It NEVER stops!

Quote From: shellzie26

I have been told that I did the right thing before, and glad to hear that others out there agree, but there the problem is, how do I get over him and move on and be happy.   How do I get along with him when I know that he is the same person even if he acts different.  He has already called and asked how I was and how our son was.  We are having a boy.  He will be nice and seem different, but then when I mention anything that he assumes is against him or blaming him for something when I am not, it turns into a huge fight.  For example, he got served the divorce papers and freaked out on me that he did not understand any of it and yelled at me and treated me like crap on our phone conversation.  It always turns into a fight and I am left feeling that it is my fault when I know it is not, I still feel that way though.  His mother recently called and I have not returned her phone call and do not plan on it.  She has issues as well.  She still does everything for him like a mother would for her young child, but he is 25!!  That is another thing, he is so dependent on others, and does not know how to do things for himself.  I was pretty much his slave wife, his excuse was that his mother did it for his dad, so why cant I kind of a thing.  He has texted me 3 times now.  One apologizing for the fight about divorce papers, one to see if I was okay and one about how horrible it was that Stoughton WI was hit by a tornado, I live about 10 minutes from there.  I have not responded and I don't plan on it, but I still have to see him in court in 11 days.  HOW DO I STOP LOVING HIM AND GET OVER HIM AND MOVE ON TO A BETTER LIFE?  HE IS THE FATHER OF MY SON AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT, SO PLEASE HELP ME, I NEED ADVICE ON HOW TO DO THIS FOR ME AND MY SON.  THANKS. 

Hi there, Oh boy did your post raise some memories for me!  

I was 5 months pregnant and my husband left me for another woman, I was DEVASTATED, I had so much trust in him and it seemed my world came crashing down around me. He was also abusive, he would threaten me with chairs, get in my face yelling obscenities etc.  

   

I moved to my mum's with my 2 young boys 1 & 2, and decided to get my act together, if he was going to be this person, I didn't want to be with him. He went away ( to think ) well he comes back and seems a different person! He proffesses his undying love for me, the kids blah blah blah. Being approx 7 months pregnant at this stage, I took him back, what can I say.....I WAS SO VULNERABLE!  

   

Things were fine UNTIL the baby's birth ( a gorgeous little girl)  BUT slowly, they turned not only bad again, but worse! He got MORE violent, he headbutted me in the face and called me 2 HORRIBLE names in front of my little children, I went to call the police, he knocked the phone right out of the wall! Needless to say, the violence didn't stop there, and I am ASHAMED at staying with him for so long and subjecting my kids to such violence!  

   

We repeatedly seperated and got back together ( over 12 years ), it was rediculous, that was up till 2 years ago wen I KNEW this was the last time I would subject the kids and I to this again! My kids are now aged 12,13 and 14. You see, my husband went through 2 anger management programs, individual counsiling, hypnotherapy and can still act like the BIGGEST pig on this earth! Now that he no longer gets to me, I can see him doing it with the kids, he is a PIG to my daughter at times, I believe he is a woman hater!! Had I of made a go of it when he first played up, my kids most probably wouldn't be having the struggles they are right now!  

   

For yourself, for your new little baby, don't let this man bring you down another minute! Stick to your guns, I have at LAST and I have NEVER felt a peace like I am right now! In fact, when I think of him being here with us, it gives me the shudders!  

   

It is NOT easy, BUT it is POSSIBLE! feel free to email me if you ever need to talk ;)  

   

Take Care, give that baby a wonderful start in life!  

 

First | Prev | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Next | Last