You are not being irrational. You married a selfish deadbeat. I'm really sorry that you're going through this, truly. It is completely valid and understandable for you to be feeling like this. If he had any respect or compassion toward you, he wouldn't repeatedly cheat on you. Honestly, staying in this marriage is probably the worst thing you could do for both yourself and your kids
The divorce between your parents may have been shitty for you, but you need to realize that a lot of times, divorce isn't bad, and it's actually necessary. Your husband treats both you and your kids like shit. Staying with him won't help your kids, and they already clearly don't feel very comfortable or affectionate toward him.
Respect yourself. Prioritize yourself and your kids. Doing those means leaving your shitty ass husband. I promise you, it'll be a relief to get away from him so you don't have to have an extra person around to pick up after who also has no love, respect, or compassion for you. He's a waste of time. So stop wasting your time with him. You may not want to leave because you've spent so much time with him, but that's illogical thinking. Don't waste anymore of your happiness with him. Leave. Give yourself and your kids a better life. You deserve happiness, and you deserve a relationship where you aren't disrespected repeatedly, you feel appreciated and validated, you feel loved, and you feel like you can count on them and trust them. Let yourself have that. It IS possible. Don't stay stuck.
I dunno man, I think there’s a big difference between you actively being friends with your ex, and you just happening to run into her at social gatherings with your mutual friends who neither of you (quite rightly) want to lose. It’s not like you’re inviting her to hang out or messaging her one on one – you’re literally just in the same room as her with a bunch of other people.
I get why your girlfriend is bothered by it, but I do think she’s overreacting a bit. You’re civil with this woman for the sake of the comfort of your mutual friends; not because you want to still be with her. Maybe you can talk to your girlfriend about some of the clear boundaries you do already have of your own violation; you don’t call or message your ex, you don’t hang out with her alone or invite her to things, it’s clear you’re not pursuing her. Perhaps you can even talk about keeping a greater distance in social situations – keeping it to just hello and goodbye etc, at least for a while. But you’re quite right that giving up your whole friendship group to avoid the possibility of spending time around your ex is just unreasonable. And you can’t spend every waking moment reassuring your girlfriend that she’s the one you want to be with, because if she’s determined not to believe it, no amount of reassurance will ever be enough. In which case, you’re better off looking for someone who knows you’re lucky to be with them and doesn’t feel threatened by the presence of your ex as an acquaintance in your life going forward.
Grief and the I am sure your traumatic delivery, along with the additional support his mom needs it all adds up to being overwhelmed. He is also having to supply his mom with emotional support when his is very well depleted. Sometimes there are community health centers that offer sliding scale fees for services. I don’t know if he would go for it but many locations and possibly live offer bereavement support groups. He sounds like he really needs a hand and you are a good spouse to see it.
You need to have an honest conversation with him approach him asking him ask him honestly how are you doing. Tell him you how much you are doing for everyone and you are concerned. What can you do to help. See if that may open the conversation about him getting help.
About intimacy and your pregnancy, my friend husband witnessed her bleed out after delivery and it scared him very badly and took a long time for him to recover. He was afraid to get his wife pregnant again so he avoided her at all costs. He finally admitted that and got help. This is another reason why I think your husband needs therapy. Maybe couples counseling to bring his avoidance and fear and your lack of intimacy out in a neutral environment.
Try this with him. Ask him for a kiss or just give him a kiss. Run your hand along his arm when you walk by. Invite touch back into your relationship. It might be only you at first, but give him time to start to reciprocate. Sometimes it’s the little things we do help do much.
He really needs to work on himself if your child is avoiding him, he is missing moments he can’t get back. I wish you well, sending my support and a hug.
Or use your words… Just be like hey, I thought we had a thing going and lately it seems one sided. I'm not going to reach out anymore as that's not what I'm looking for.
Beating an autistic child. Sorry, your boyfriend is an asshole.
You are not being irrational. You married a selfish deadbeat. I'm really sorry that you're going through this, truly. It is completely valid and understandable for you to be feeling like this. If he had any respect or compassion toward you, he wouldn't repeatedly cheat on you. Honestly, staying in this marriage is probably the worst thing you could do for both yourself and your kids
The divorce between your parents may have been shitty for you, but you need to realize that a lot of times, divorce isn't bad, and it's actually necessary. Your husband treats both you and your kids like shit. Staying with him won't help your kids, and they already clearly don't feel very comfortable or affectionate toward him.
Respect yourself. Prioritize yourself and your kids. Doing those means leaving your shitty ass husband. I promise you, it'll be a relief to get away from him so you don't have to have an extra person around to pick up after who also has no love, respect, or compassion for you. He's a waste of time. So stop wasting your time with him. You may not want to leave because you've spent so much time with him, but that's illogical thinking. Don't waste anymore of your happiness with him. Leave. Give yourself and your kids a better life. You deserve happiness, and you deserve a relationship where you aren't disrespected repeatedly, you feel appreciated and validated, you feel loved, and you feel like you can count on them and trust them. Let yourself have that. It IS possible. Don't stay stuck.
I shouldn’t have done what I did honestly, I just didn’t expect my girlfriend to check my phone like that
Probs to you guys I guess. As long as you are comfortable.
I dunno man, I think there’s a big difference between you actively being friends with your ex, and you just happening to run into her at social gatherings with your mutual friends who neither of you (quite rightly) want to lose. It’s not like you’re inviting her to hang out or messaging her one on one – you’re literally just in the same room as her with a bunch of other people.
I get why your girlfriend is bothered by it, but I do think she’s overreacting a bit. You’re civil with this woman for the sake of the comfort of your mutual friends; not because you want to still be with her. Maybe you can talk to your girlfriend about some of the clear boundaries you do already have of your own violation; you don’t call or message your ex, you don’t hang out with her alone or invite her to things, it’s clear you’re not pursuing her. Perhaps you can even talk about keeping a greater distance in social situations – keeping it to just hello and goodbye etc, at least for a while. But you’re quite right that giving up your whole friendship group to avoid the possibility of spending time around your ex is just unreasonable. And you can’t spend every waking moment reassuring your girlfriend that she’s the one you want to be with, because if she’s determined not to believe it, no amount of reassurance will ever be enough. In which case, you’re better off looking for someone who knows you’re lucky to be with them and doesn’t feel threatened by the presence of your ex as an acquaintance in your life going forward.
Grief and the I am sure your traumatic delivery, along with the additional support his mom needs it all adds up to being overwhelmed. He is also having to supply his mom with emotional support when his is very well depleted. Sometimes there are community health centers that offer sliding scale fees for services. I don’t know if he would go for it but many locations and possibly live offer bereavement support groups. He sounds like he really needs a hand and you are a good spouse to see it.
You need to have an honest conversation with him approach him asking him ask him honestly how are you doing. Tell him you how much you are doing for everyone and you are concerned. What can you do to help. See if that may open the conversation about him getting help.
About intimacy and your pregnancy, my friend husband witnessed her bleed out after delivery and it scared him very badly and took a long time for him to recover. He was afraid to get his wife pregnant again so he avoided her at all costs. He finally admitted that and got help. This is another reason why I think your husband needs therapy. Maybe couples counseling to bring his avoidance and fear and your lack of intimacy out in a neutral environment.
Try this with him. Ask him for a kiss or just give him a kiss. Run your hand along his arm when you walk by. Invite touch back into your relationship. It might be only you at first, but give him time to start to reciprocate. Sometimes it’s the little things we do help do much.
He really needs to work on himself if your child is avoiding him, he is missing moments he can’t get back. I wish you well, sending my support and a hug.
Thats not what your OP says
I have cut him off.
It's time to follow your statement that cheating is a deal breaker for you. Otherwise, neither he will respect you, nor you will respect yourself.
Or use your words… Just be like hey, I thought we had a thing going and lately it seems one sided. I'm not going to reach out anymore as that's not what I'm looking for.