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#1
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
I will start this by apologizing for the length. I want to be sure to give all relevant information from the start, and to do that I must cover a couple of years worth of information. I've Google'd and found only a handful of threads that are close enough in circumstance to apply. I've tried to pick through the others and go from there. But now I feel I must ask for your opinions and perspectives. 2 years ago a man that worked for a contractor for my (then) employer began striking up conversations with me. We have more than a few things in common so we had things to talk about. After about a month of talking and meeting for the occasional beer, he asked me if I wanted to go to to a function out of town (over-night). He made it clear that I could get another room or save the money and stay in his. He was very polite and respectful, and he made a point to make sure that his room had 2 double beds. I went; we had a wonderful day together; we slept in the same bed that night, and that's how the whole mess began. You see, he is married and has been for almost 17 years now. I had my suspicions about it so I cannot and will not act as if I am in any way innocent here because I am not. I am fully aware of my own culpability in this situation. Immediately following that weekend, I asked him if he was married. He told me that he was, implied that he wasn't fully satisfied but gave no details, and said that he would "never leave his children". I know that I should have broken it off with him then, but I didn't. I have a long history of some pretty sad mistakes with respect to men and love. All of which I attribute to childhood issues with my father (about which I am currently seeing a counselor). I am not making excuses ... I made the choices, and I own up to all of them ... just giving background information. Immediately prior to this man I had spent about 3 years choosing to remain single and not venturing into the realm of dating because I knew that I had my own issues to sort through before I could build a successful relationship. Anyway, I appreciated the (seemingly) honest communciation and respected that he valued his children so. We had made a very intense connection and the sex was amazing ... again not making excuses, just information ... so I agreed to continue the relationship. That same conversation included another topic, birth control (I had given him a condom but didn't make him use it). He told me that he didn't know whether or not he could father children ... that his son and daughter (now ages 10 & 8 1/2) are adopted. I told him my own history of infertility. I spent approxiamately 5 sexually-active years of making no attempts to prevent pregnancy and just 1 year before had undergone 3 cycles of infertility treatment (artifical insemination with donor sperm). I had never gotten pregnant so I didn't think (and had begun the painful process of acceptance) that I could have children either. We talked about it and decided that if a child was meant to be concieved, it would be. Two weeks later, two things happened. Our daughter was conceived and we each told the other that we were falling in love. Now, if not for my daughter I would not be looking for answers. I would have tired (in no particular order) of being number 2, of having only part of a relationship, of not being able to depend on him to "be there" for me, of risking being the cause of so much pain to innocent people. I would have broken it off within a month or two ... great sex or no. But every decision that I've made since then has been at least partially based on what I feel is best for my child, and me removing her father from her life is not, at this point in time IMHO, what is best for her. She is now 16 months old. He has seen her fairly regularly since her birth and says that he loves her and wants what's best for her. He told his wife about her (and a modified version of our history) 3 months ago. He has subsequently told his children and some members of his extended family. His wife is having difficulty (and quite understandably so) having my child in her life even for an hour or two out of a week. I'm not sure exactly what is happening ... whether she is asking or even demanding that he not see our daughter or maybe he's just trying to lessen her pain ... but he went a month without seeing our child. He didn't even ask about her when we talked for 2 or 3 of those weeks. He finally told me that he was trying to decide if our daughter would be better off without him in her life. He says that he does not want to walk away from her, but he also says that he can't love her and not love me ... that we are a package. I think that I can have a co-parent-only relationship with him. He has consistantly chosen to do what he needs to do for his marriage and his children, and I can accept that because I love him and will support what he wants and needs to do regardless of whether it jives with what I want for myself. The problem is this: He continues to tell me that he loves me. He tells me that he daydreams about us being together to do all the things that we both enjoy so much (and, no, it's not just sex). I am unable to let go of the hope of being together under these circumstances and have told him so many times. They are currently seeing a counselor, and he's made the comment that they, at least, need to stay together until their kids graduate from high school. My parents did that, and as the youngest I can say it was no favor to me. I told him that. I really try not to pressure him in any way, and I have never asked him to or told him he should leave his marriage. I only express my feelings (I believe that I truly love him and that he's an important part of our child's life) and tell him my opinions and experiences. I am prepared to walk away from him (and take our child with me) if I/we/he decide(s) that's what's best for everyone. Of course, my child's needs are first and foremost in my mind, but I have to consider his family's needs as well. Their children are just as innocent as mine. And I believe that their marriage comes before my relationship with him ... but also feel that, while we do not know what an "everyday life" relationship is like, the love that he and I feel for one another is real. I'm so confused and conflicted. I like to have all the information and lots of different perspectives before making major decisions that affect so many people. So here I am, asking you for your thoughts and wisdom. I know that some (if not all) of you will disapprove of the choices that I've made and that you may even judge and attack me. I hope, though, that you will see that I am just a person who's made some mistakes but is trying to do the best she can with what she's got. Again, I apologize for the length. I just wanted to try to prevent any misunderstandings, and unless based on a decent body of information, assumptions are dangerous things. Paula "Now the peace you will find, in your own you have found, the lights of the city are the stars on the ground. 'I may not be a quaalude living in a speed zone,' But I could be restful, I could be someone's home, if I fell down" When All the Stars Were Falling - Lisa Loeb ** remove NOBS_ to email me ** |
#2
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
In article ,
Paula wrote: I will start this by apologizing for the length. I want to be sure to give all relevant information from the start, and to do that I must cover a couple of years worth of information. snipped for bandwidth Again, I apologize for the length. I just wanted to try to prevent any misunderstandings, and unless based on a decent body of information, assumptions are dangerous things. Paula "Now the peace you will find, in your own you have found, the lights of the city are the stars on the ground. 'I may not be a quaalude living in a speed zone,' But I could be restful, I could be someone's home, if I fell down" When All the Stars Were Falling - Lisa Loeb Three things: 1 - If he DOES leave his wife and marry you, you will be married to someone who you know is willing to commit (and condone) infidelity. Is that something you really want? 2 - The model you are giving your daughter is that adultery is OK if you are "in love". Think hard about the morals you want your daughter to adopt -- she will NOT learn from what you say, she will learn from your behavior. 3 - What will your daughter's relationship with her half-siblings be like once they realize that SHE is the cause of their parent's divorce? (And even if that isn't completely true, they will believe it IS true -- you will be the REALLY evil step mother.) Unless you AND HE AND HIS WIFE are willing to condone polyamory as a moral choice -- and I'm guessing his wife would say she is not -- in the long run you are hurting your daughter more than helping her. If you ALL are willing to live a polyamorous life, then I suggest you look into it (it only works when ALL parties support it) and move on from there. He gets both you and his wife, and your relationship with him and his with you and his daughter come out of the closet. Under ALL other circumstances, I suggest you immediately stop seeing him in any way other than as a co-parent; that one, you and he are stuck with. I know you love him -- I understand how painful this will be -- but for the sake of your daughter and his other children, you simply must force your behavior to be ruled by your head and not by your heart. And for heaven's sake, from now on insist on condoms -- the first time, every time -- in this day and age I can't believe anyone would NOT use one in any non- monogomous setting, regardless of birth control issues: it is a disease reduction issue. I sincerely hope you are insisting on them now! People who have affairs often don't stop at one -- like it or not, he could well have a third person on the side -- and you want to reduce the likelyhood of contracting any STDs. -- Children won't care how much you know until they know how much you care |
#3
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
"Paula" wrote in message ... I will start this by apologizing for the length. I want to be sure to give all relevant information from the start, and to do that I must cover a couple of years worth of information. (snip of story) So here I am, asking you for your thoughts and wisdom. I know that some (if not all) of you will disapprove of the choices that I've made and that you may even judge and attack me. I hope, though, that you will see that I am just a person who's made some mistakes but is trying to do the best she can with what she's got. Again, I apologize for the length. I just wanted to try to prevent any misunderstandings, and unless based on a decent body of information, assumptions are dangerous things. Hi Paula, nice change to see someone honest about a situation like this. As someone who came very close to being in the position your daughter's father's wife is in - I appreciate that you are thinking of his first family also. I would - if I were you - continue to stay in touch, be it through pictures or letters or visits. Does your daughter visit her father without you there? (thinking that from my experience, seeing the "other woman" in ones' home is very emotionally difficult) Though it must be hard in your position also, if you send her there and don't go.. I had a hard time with my kids being around the other person. (though she didn't like kids and called them brats, that could have something to do with itg) If you know that he and his wife are going to stay together at least until the kids are out of the house, you are better off making a life for yourself and your daughter away from that situation. It won't do you any good to continue hoping that he will change his mind. If he does you can decide what to do then. But to live on hope when the other person isn't to that point.. it's too hard on you and your daughter. Also - and I have to make this point for my own selfish reasons - you aren't helping the guy and his wife deal with counseling and keeping their marriage together by talking about your relationship with him. He's trying to have it both ways right now. Make the wife and the girlfriend happy by telling them both that there's hope for the future. It isn't fair to you or his wife. (My husband tried that for awhile too.) You need to stay in touch for the sake of your daughter. That doesn't need to include your personal relationship even though he says it does. When my dh and I were separated, he was quite capable of talking to me about life in general and how the kids were doing without bringing in the love and marriage part. We did talk about personal marital issues also, but not frequently and certainly didn't use a call about the kids as the excuse. I didn't call him at the girlfriends house unless it was an emergency or we had pre-planned the talk. Just to be clear - I do believe that you love him. If you didn't, you wouldn't be willing to go away and leave him to fix his marriage if that's the only way it will work. Don't discount your feelings, they are important too. I just feel that it will be better for you in the long run to make your own life for you and your daughter and let the guy figure out what he really wants by himself. It'll be hard for him but oh well. Best of luck, Stephanie mom to 7 17, 15, 12, 8, 6, 3 and 1 |
#4
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
(snip entire post) Paula: This person is a liar and not trustworthy. He started his relationship with you without revealing his marriage (yes, you were complicit in that, but you weren't hiding something from him). He (and you) behaved irresponsibly with respect to birth control. He has made it clear that his first committment is to his family; if he begins to say something else that is another way in which he isn't to be trusted, if he stays clear about that, this is another way in which you can't depend on him. So you can expect this man to continue to do what he wants to do, without taking other people into account. Given that, decide what level of relationship you are comfortable with and seems healthy to you. Remember that tou don't have the power to make yourself his number one relationship. If you are comfortable continuing as number 2, that _might_ be within your power. Even if he were to leave his family for the second family he has started to create, what earthly assurance do you have that he would be there for you for any length of time? He obviously isn't the sort of person to depend on. If your daughter gains something from a relationship with him, then this might be something you could allow to continue if he wants it. If he doesn't want it, then there is nothing useful to do about it unless you want to sue for financial support. |
#5
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
Paula,
Judging from the quality of your writing I can see that you are an extremely intelligent person. How in the world you could have screwed up your life this badly is far beyond my ability to comprehend. You need to adopt this child out to a family (mother and father) who can give it a normal, healthy, happy life. And you need to get some serious counseling to improve your self esteem which is apparently very low. You had no business bringing a child into the world under these circumstances - and you know it. Em |
#6
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
dragonlady shared the following
perspective and opinions: Three things: 1 - If he DOES leave his wife and marry you, you will be married to someone who you know is willing to commit (and condone) infidelity. Is that something you really want? NO. And yes, I've thought of that. Maybe I'm naive, maybe I believe that with communication comes honesty (This is the only promise that I have asked him to make to me - that he never lie to me. I'm the kind of person that can never totally forgive a deliberate, intentional lie.), maybe, maybe, maybe ... I don't know if I could ever truly trust him, maybe I would always be suspicious and watching. As stated, I have no idea how our relationship would be if it were real, meaning everyday life, that's one reason why I have never asked him to leave, to be with me. People change, not always, but most people grow and learn from the things in their lives. I can see that it pains him to hurt her ... and to hurt me. I know what I want to believe, that he wouldn't do it again, but I cannot say what the future holds for any of us. 2 - The model you are giving your daughter is that adultery is OK if you are "in love". Think hard about the morals you want your daughter to adopt -- she will NOT learn from what you say, she will learn from your behavior. I know. I started (what has been a slow process) of ending the relationship 6 months ago. Each go round (me saying it's over, him saying that he loves me and can't not tell me, me getting drawn back into the hope for love and a whole relationship with him), we get closer and closer to the goal. I have set a deadline for myself for this to be resolved one way or another by the time she is 2. He either must accept a co-parent only relationship, leave his marriage (which I will never push him to do), or leave our lives (which I will push him to do, if necessary). 3 - What will your daughter's relationship with her half-siblings be like once they realize that SHE is the cause of their parent's divorce? (And even if that isn't completely true, they will believe it IS true -- you will be the REALLY evil step mother.) I hadn't really considered that. I would hope that over time they will realize that SHE is not the cause of their parent's divorce, that their parent's problems are just that - their parent's problems - and that those problems were exacerbated by a choice that their father made. Unless you AND HE AND HIS WIFE are willing to condone polyamory as a moral choice -- and I'm guessing his wife would say she is not -- in the I would guess that you would be right! And I don't think that I would be either. We all deserve more than sharing him. long run you are hurting your daughter more than helping her. If you ALL are willing to live a polyamorous life, then I suggest you look into it (it only works when ALL parties support it) and move on from there. He gets both you and his wife, and your relationship with him and his with you and his daughter come out of the closet. Under ALL other circumstances, I suggest you immediately stop seeing him in any way other than as a co-parent; that one, you and he are stuck with. Again, I am really trying to do just that, and I get stronger and better at it every day. Paula "Now the peace you will find, in your own you have found, the lights of the city are the stars on the ground. 'I may not be a quaalude living in a speed zone,' But I could be restful, I could be someone's home, if I fell down" When All the Stars Were Falling - Lisa Loeb ** remove NOBS_ to email me ** |
#7
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
"Stephanie J" shared the following
perspective and opinions: ... snip ... or letters or visits. Does your daughter visit her father without you there? (thinking that from my experience, seeing the "other woman" in ones' home is very emotionally difficult) Though it must be hard in your position also, if you send her there and don't go.. I had a hard time with my kids being ... snip ... She has spent a few (maybe total of 6) afternoon visits with him and his older children. A few of those visits included staying for dinner with the entire family before he brought her home. All of the other visits have been without his wife's knowledge (prior to her knowing about us and after), of short (less than an hour) duration, and in my home. I picked her up from their house one afternoon (because he asked me to) but his wife was not home. I would never expect her to be comfortable with me in her home! I know that I wouldn't be if I were her. I was a bit uncomfortable at first with her being away from me, but I do trust his abilities as a father. And I know that he would never let any harm come to her. My biggest concern is/was that his wife would, from her pain and over time, project negative emotions at my daughter and cause her emotional pain. ... snip ... Also - and I have to make this point for my own selfish reasons - you aren't helping the guy and his wife deal with counseling and keeping their marriage together by talking about your relationship with him. He's trying to have it both ways right now. Make the wife and the girlfriend happy by telling them both that there's hope for the future. It isn't fair to you or his wife. (My husband tried that for awhile too.) So I should ignore him or get angry when he won't not talk about it? I try to tell him to leave it alone ... that we both know that we love each other, but it doesn't need to be expressed. That it's best for everyone if it's not, in fact. You need to stay in touch for the sake of your daughter. That doesn't need to include your personal relationship even though he says it does. When my dh and I were separated, he was quite capable of talking to me about life in general and how the kids were doing without bringing in the love and marriage part. We did talk about personal marital issues also, but not frequently and certainly didn't use a call about the kids as the excuse. I didn't call him at the girlfriends house unless it was an emergency or we had pre-planned the talk. Again, I'm trying. I'm just afraid that we can't talk at all then, because I can't get him to separate the issues with our child from things about us. Just to be clear - I do believe that you love him. If you didn't, you wouldn't be willing to go away and leave him to fix his marriage if that's the only way it will work. Don't discount your feelings, they are important too. I just feel that it will be better for you in the long run to make your own life for you and your daughter and let the guy figure out what he really wants by himself. It'll be hard for him but oh well. Thank you, and I know what you say is true. Paula "Now the peace you will find, in your own you have found, the lights of the city are the stars on the ground. 'I may not be a quaalude living in a speed zone,' But I could be restful, I could be someone's home, if I fell down" When All the Stars Were Falling - Lisa Loeb ** remove NOBS_ to email me ** |
#8
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
On Sat, 29 May 2004 20:30:39 GMT, Paula
wrote: dragonlady shared the following perspective and opinions: Three things: 1 - If he DOES leave his wife and marry you, you will be married to someone who you know is willing to commit (and condone) infidelity. Is that something you really want? NO. And yes, I've thought of that. Maybe I'm naive, maybe I believe that with communication comes honesty (This is the only promise that I have asked him to make to me - that he never lie to me. I'm the kind of person that can never totally forgive a deliberate, intentional lie.), maybe, maybe, maybe ... I don't know if I could ever truly trust him, maybe I would always be suspicious and watching. Previously, you wrote: : Immediately following that weekend, I asked him if he was married. He : told me that he was, implied that he wasn't fully satisfied but gave : no details, and said that he would "never leave his children". I submit that this was a lie of omission to get into your pants. So he already has a history of lying to you. Had he told you at the onset that he was married, would you have had sex with him? -Tony -- "If the grass appears to be greener on the other side of the fence, it's time to fertilize your lawn!" Want to jump start your marriage? Consider a Marriage Encounter weekend. Check out http://www.wwme.org for more information. |
#9
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
Paula writes:
dragonlady shared the following perspective and opinions: Three things: 1 - If he DOES leave his wife and marry you, you will be married to someone who you know is willing to commit (and condone) infidelity. Is that something you really want? NO. And yes, I've thought of that. Maybe I'm naive, maybe I believe that with communication comes honesty (This is the only promise that I have asked him to make to me - that he never lie to me. I wonder if his wife ever asked that of him. Quite likely yes. I'm the kind of person that can never totally forgive a deliberate, intentional lie.), Realize then that he has made a deliberate, intentional lie to his wife, someone he promised to hold dearer than all others (or some such thing). maybe, maybe, maybe ... I don't know if I could ever truly trust him, maybe I would always be suspicious and watching. As stated, I have no idea how our relationship would be if it were real, meaning everyday life, that's one reason why I have never asked him to leave, to be with me. People change, not always, but most people grow and learn from the things in their lives. I can see that it pains him to hurt her ... and to hurt me. Not that much, since he's been doing it for a couple of years now, yes? |
#10
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looking for other perspectives (very long)
Paula writes:
"Stephanie J" shared the following perspective and opinions: ... snip ... or letters or visits. Does your daughter visit her father without you there? (thinking that from my experience, seeing the "other woman" in ones' home is very emotionally difficult) Though it must be hard in your position also, if you send her there and don't go.. I had a hard time with my kids being ... snip ... She has spent a few (maybe total of 6) afternoon visits with him and his older children. A few of those visits included staying for dinner with the entire family before he brought her home. All of the other visits have been without his wife's knowledge (prior to her knowing about us and after), of short (less than an hour) duration, and in my home. I picked her up from their house one afternoon (because he asked me to) but his wife was not home. I would never expect her to be comfortable with me in her home! I know that I wouldn't be if I were her. I was a bit uncomfortable at first with her being away from me, but I do trust his abilities as a father. And I know that he would never let any harm come to her. My biggest concern is/was that his wife would, from her pain and over time, project negative emotions at my daughter and cause her emotional pain. ... snip ... Also - and I have to make this point for my own selfish reasons - you aren't helping the guy and his wife deal with counseling and keeping their marriage together by talking about your relationship with him. He's trying to have it both ways right now. Make the wife and the girlfriend happy by telling them both that there's hope for the future. It isn't fair to you or his wife. (My husband tried that for awhile too.) So I should ignore him or get angry when he won't not talk about it? Neither. Tell him firmly and without anger that this is off the table. Tell him that if he persists, you'll leave or end the conversation. And follow through. |
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