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View Full Version : Update-- I DID IT!




Ltlfaery
03-19-2006, 03:28 PM
I posted early Feb. (advise, have you been through this?)

Since then, I have indeed separated.

Things seemed to be better for a while. I spoke with ex about my feelings on a lot of things, he even agreed that future male children (if any) wouldn't be circ'ed to respect my feelings on the matter.

However, a couple of weeks later we had another fight. The reason we started figthing is unimportant. He admits he had just been picking fights because he was very unhappy.

He doesn't like coming home, "dealing" with us, "putting up" with me, etc. I should just be normal, mainstream, and then it would all be ok for him. I should vax, circ, spank, and baby train. I make the "wrong" choices all the time, and it stresses him out. I should just LISTEN to him, and go by his (much uninformed -do as other do-) ways. That my ideas to be a doula, and a midwife were just insane, that he couldn't accept them and I should just "grow up" and live in the "real world". I also should NEVER ask him for help with his daughter, he goes to work (ya know) and shouldn't have to help at home. That is "my job", and since he doesn't ask for help with his, I shouldn't ask for help with mine....He wants to come home and "relax", watch tv, play video games....not interact with his family. That is just stressful.

Hearing him say how much he dislikes coming home, and how stressful it is for him to "deal" with us, hurt me much. Here I was, trying to make it all work, and it felt like a slap in the face.

I sat on the floor crying, and I felt as low as I have felt in a very very loooooong time (my parent's separation). The thought crossed my head that perhaps cutting my sking (i did so as a teen) would make me feel better. And at that moment I KNEW. I knew I had to leave. I knew I had to get out, and I couldn't become that king of person. I don't want to be that kind of mother. I don't want to feel that low, that depressed, that bad about myself.

That night I gathered my strength, my courage, and with an aching heart, I asked him to take me to my parents house.

I've been here since. A month now.

I feel more free just to be. But it is still hard.

Ex and I have been 'talking', even gone out to dinner, but not getting much anywhere. We can discuss the weather, his school, his work....but that's about it. When it comes to what we want, things are very very different. I can't quite do as he wants me to, and viceversa. Last time we went out to dinner, I was eager to come home. I had had, in a few hours, enough negative attitude, I was feeling opressed in a way.

We both say we have some feelings for eachother, but the more I think about it, I have feelings for the person I WANT HIM TO BE, and same for him regarding me.

I'm not mainstream, and I can't be. I can't make the choices he wants me to. I can't live a life the way he wants me to. He admits he really can't accept who I "have become" and what Iwant in life.


I want someone who respects me, who cherishes me and supports me. Who takes into consideration what I say, and not just writes it off as "crazy ideas of the tree hugger".

He wants a wife that's got her own life does her own thing, doesn't need to be told she's loved, doesn't ask for help, and strives for material things in life. The bigger house, the better car, more money....and well, has a totally different parenting philosophy. THough he doesn't want any more children either.


We both agree that eventhough we 'miss' eachother sometimes, we are indeed, better off like this.

But that of course, doesn't make it easier when I see happy families out at the park....

However, I am starting to envision life with my daughter. What I want for US, how I will acheive it etc. and it makes me feel....happy. though it is still scary sometimes.


Thank you to all who repplied to my original message! It seems indeed, I am not a member of this forum, and that is ok.




MsChatsAlot
03-19-2006, 07:11 PM
Well, it sounds like a lot has happened.

I don't think there's a magic solution for marriages. I think if the two of you can realize that you're better apart and you're willing to stay friends, that will benefit all of you, especially your child.

It is hard making that transition from married couple to single parent and I don't think there's one of us who can say we didn't look back and wish it could be different at times or wished that our ex was the person we really wished they could be.

You sound like you're strong and doing okay. Keep it up. It truly does get easier with time.

meemee
03-20-2006, 07:31 AM
marcey, i have been away for over two months so have missed your story.

but i did want to congratulate you on ur decision. while it is the hardest to make - considering everything - it is also the easiest to make as a person when u realise u have had enough.

u know its ok to grieve. its ok to miss. when u separate two things happen. u not only give up a person out of ur life, but u also learn to make it on ur own. right now u cant figure out if u r right or not. but u r making the realisations - that u are better off without him. all these truths will come to you slowly. that is why time is important.

if u had some wonderful years how can u ever not have feelings for the person. i mean my relationship with my ex is not good right now... but i still have and probably will have feelings for him till my dying day. no matter how mean he is. a lot of his meaness stems from his childishness. but i would be there for him - if i got together with someone else - if it meant homelessness for him. i did not know this when i separated. its time that has helped me realise where he stands with me. instead of anger i feel sorry for him htat that's how he has chosen to live his life.

just really focus on urself and ur dd now. really try to appreciate the present as taht will tide u thru the hard times. except for my poverty i really feel happy where i am today. if i meet a man great, if i win the lottery - great, if not i am happy where i am spiritually.

but i also knwo what i want that i havent got - and i have been asking the universe for the impossible. and guess what they have been coming to me.

always remember no matter what things do work out. they always do. the thing is how painlessly it happens is always up to you. is half a glass of water for you - half full or half empty.

hang in there. this is a hard journey you are on. but it is the best journey of your life. nothing is more fulfilling than knowing you did it. that you indeed cna do it. i certainly have learnt to appreciate life much more.

by the way every journey is a cycle with a lot of ups and downs. so it is normal to feel up one tim and the next be down.

what do u mean u dont belong to this forum?

Jilian
03-20-2006, 09:42 AM
We both say we have some feelings for eachother, but the more I think about it, I have feelings for the person I WANT HIM TO BE, and same for him regarding me.

I'm not mainstream, and I can't be. I can't make the choices he wants me to. I can't live a life the way he wants me to. He admits he really can't accept who I "have become" and what Iwant in life.


I want someone who respects me, who cherishes me and supports me. Who takes into consideration what I say, and not just writes it off as "crazy ideas of the tree hugger".

Good for you for realizing what you want in life and going after it. You deserve to be with someone who shares your views on life and parenting. Being with someone who surpresses you and is always trying to change you can never work out in the long run. I'm glad you have gathered the strength and courage to do what you feel is best. :hug The first few steps are the hardest, but you've already taken them and it does, indeed, get easier each day.

Ltlfaery
03-20-2006, 11:37 AM
thank you ladies!

I know it's gonna be a LONG road, and I have to figure it all out better. I know the posts of others on this forum have really touched.

BelovedK
03-20-2006, 05:26 PM
It seems indeed, I am not a member of this forum, and that is ok.
Of course you are a member of this forum:love I didn't see your OP or else I would've probably responded. What you'r doing for yourself is the healthiest and happiest decision you will ever make, though it doesn't seem like it now. No one should have to live being 'put up with' and 'dealt with' You're worth more than that. Kudos to you for recognizing the signs of depression or worse (the cutting) and booking out of there...it seems like you are a strong woman for making the cut from him and his abuse rather than taking it out on yourself. Hang in there and post whenever you need support.

pranamama
03-20-2006, 06:39 PM
Hope you build a wonderful delightful full life! and welcome from me too! This is a great community.

CalebsMama05
03-20-2006, 09:26 PM
your story sounds so much like mine! all my ap attitudes (which are really more than something you DO but a way of viewing your child) which I cannot change and would not want to offends my hubby and he also felt that he didn't want to *have to* *deal with* or *put up with* our son or me.

we seem to be two peas in a pod that way. *hugs* you can be strong.

also you are certainly a member of this forum. :heartbeat

freewitheft
03-20-2006, 09:46 PM
I should vax, circ, spank, and baby train. I make the "wrong" choices all the time, and it stresses him out. I should just LISTEN to him, and go by his (much uninformed -do as other do-) ways.

That is "my job", and since he doesn't ask for help with his, I shouldn't ask for help with mine....

Anyone else see the irony here? Parenting is supposed to be your job, and yours alone, but do it his way. I'm willing to bet you didn't tell him how to do his job. ;)

Good for you in getting out before you started hurting yourself. (((hugs)))

He admits he really can't accept who I "have become" and what Iwant in life.


I think it's important to point out that this isn't really anyone's fault. We live in a society that makes us, as women, completely ill-prepared for the effects that motherhood have on us and how it changes who we are to the very core. Some of us choose to listen to our inner voice, and others stifle it. I used to feel some guilt over that - that I truly was *not* the woman he married, and perhaps I had some obligation to try to be. But I never took a vow to always be the same, and never grow or make positive changes in my life - neither did you. The idea that a marriage is worth leaving b/c your spouse is actually doing positive things to make a better life for everyone, is very telling of one's character, I think.

Ltlfaery
03-21-2006, 03:33 PM
It seems indeed, I am not a member of this forum, and that is ok.

I meant to say I am NOW, not NOT. I still have to change my profile.

calebsmamma--That's what I felt, that's what I told him. I didn't want to be somewhere where he's doing "his best to ignore me" so that what I say/do doesn't bother him. I'm sure, from your post, you understand that. I'm still "spoiling" our child, but I hope, in the long run he sees the benefit of my parenting.

freewitheft--thank you. I do feel guilty. I feel like I "broke" our deal because I changed. He says I'm not who he married, and I know that is indeed true. I was at that time working 12 hour days, living a different life, where I was only responsible for myself and I could do other things. I didn't worry about what I ate so much, I spent my free time as I pleased....

I have changed, and I think change is good. We grow, we change, we have to, to keep learning and adapting to life. To make the best of it. He on the other hand, says he *hates* change, and wishes nothing and noone, ever changed.

I know I couldn't have 'forseen' I would have been a homebirthing/nonvaxing/non circ'ing mamma. Heck, I wouldn't have thought I'd CD or EC either. But here I am, and I wouldnt' do it any other way.

Still, I carry some guilt because "if only I had known" we wouldnt be here. BUT we also wouldn't have a beautiful little girl.