 Relationships
Marcie,
Although our situations are different, I'll give you an opinion since I was asked. I don't know the extent of your current marital problems, but if you haven't already considered it, professional counseling may help you sort out your emotions.
If physical abuse is taking place regularly, you or your children don't need to be in the same location as your husband. The abuse you mention may just be neglect or verbal. Either way, counseling may be helpful.
My cultural bias leans toward trying to make a marriage work. Your husband and you could attend counseling together. If he won't go, then you should consider going alone. I have attended counseling in the past, with my late wife Rhonda, and also after she died. I found a trained outside opinion to be very helpful.
If you decide to go to a counselor, find a person who is reputable and who you feel comfortable enough to trust. Check references and ask questions.
I personally don't think it would be appropriate to develop a romantic relationship with any other man while you are still married. Also, if you decide at some point not to stay married, it will be better in the long run to give yourself a waiting period in order to sort out mixed emotions.
I chose to wait a year after Rhonda died to begin dating so I could heal and grieve. It was one of the wisest choices I've ever made.
I wish you the best with your situation,
Mike E.
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Bob,
Thank you for your encouraging words. My mother-in-law still won't speak to me since I remarried last year (it's been almost 3 years since my late wife died). I hope that will change at some point, but it may never change. I think it would be harder if we lived in the same locale. So, what does a person do? You do the best you can with what you've got and move forward.
On a lighter note, my son and daughter-in-law had twins last night...a boy and a girl. It's really cool! I now officially feel old!
Mike E.  |