Damn, that brought a tear to my eye just reading it. I can personally take a lot, but I would not tolerate my wife intentionally hurting my kids.

wow that is tear jerking stuff.

That was exactly my thought. I think it shows amazing restraint to stand there and let her destroy not only herself, but Mike and (worst of all) their children. I'm still trying to figure out whether restraint in the face of such damaging and unjustified attacks is (1) a classy move indicative of a true gentleman or (2) letting oneself be a doormat.

I don't know if I could stand there and let her attack my children like that. I have to admit, I'd be sorely tempted to just quietly walk out, take the kids with me and drive to a hotel, figure out how to start our new lives (without her) after that. She obviously doesn't want anyone else in her life right now - my inclination would be to let her stew in her own juices and stop poisoning me or the kids by removing ourselves from the situation - permanently if necessary.

btw MC D's has hotwheels (and some sorta princess thing for girls) happy meals now. might make a nice family pit stop.

are there any family games that can be played without sight? like something you can feel your way through?


and btw, i don't think you should ever let your kids live in a hotel. not even for a night. if you're gonna do it do it right and be committed to it.

I meant just to get them out of the situation. I could seriously see myself quietly getting up from the couch, getting the kid(s) and walking out. Just like that. And I'm pretty old-fashioned with respect to my views on marriage (I don't believe in divorce). I would definitely see walking out and/or separating permanently as acceptable in the kind of situation Mike's describing though.

Sometimes "turning the other cheek" only gives you bruises on both sides of your face. I suspect some time apart might be beneficial. If his wife really doesn't want anyone else around (as she says), I'd grant the wish and never say another word in two weeks when she was calling up begging us to come back.

Just sayin'... I see little gain/benefit in keeping yourself (and the kids) in a situation where you're just being used as emotional punching bags 24/7.

well i'm thinking one of the most important things he can do for the kids is provide stability.

you can feel the love on his part, but the stability is something that i think is similarly important. he's bouncing around in his head about what to do but the kids don't see it. hotel now, home next week then back to hotel then rental apt then.....well the kids have to see that and i think it would be tough on them.

Restraint, is that the word for it?

It takes amazing something to put himself and his kids through this, that's for sure.

after that ..
I would be gone..
like Jeff..I don't walk away easily..
she can get help...
or she can be alone..
preperation for this blindness,
I know ..easy to type and say..
think that's were it all started to unravel..
she cannot see the hurt she is causing..
she will hear the door closing..
sorry Lube..
I don't think this will end well..
save your kids and find some peace..
down the line perhaps..

Rika

Brought a tear to my eye as well.

I certainly don't know you or your wife. I know she's dealing with a lot but her behavior is way over the top even for someone who's been dealt a really crappy hand.

Do you have any family around on your side you could go stay with? I think you need to get you and yourself out of there. Your son sounds amazingly mature but they are too young to really process this.

Been staying out of this one, as I know this is mostly for you to vent. That last report was tough to read. Heartwarming but also heartbreaking.

Mike, it is noble that you are trying to rally the kids through this and teach them lessons about honor, loyalty, and compassion.

That said, they're too young. This situation is going to leave some lasting scars. If she wants to use you as her scratching post, that's your call if you want to put up with it. You're a big boy. The abuse of the kids has to stop, and immediately.

I think that word needs to be underscored...

Child Abuse

What she's doing is arguably more damaging than physical abuse. Children need unconditional, unwavering love from their parents in order to thrive. They may be showing you a brave face, but this is eating them up inside.

I don't have any advice for you on how to put this right, and I do admire your determination. I just know that the child abuse must end, but quick.

Wow.

Start recording her outbursts and take them along to the next therapy session. It should give the counselor some different insight as to what is truly going on.

Your wife is on a emotional rollercoaster, which at this time only seems to be going down.

Best wishes,

Over the internets, not knowning you personally, it is impossible for me to offer real advice. But her bringing the children down is the highest infraction possible.

Basically, it comes down to if you think they would be better off sticking it out or leaving with you. I feel for you buddy. You've always come off as a good dad over the internets.

That is an excellent idea. Besides, how would she ever know if she was being videotaped? Set up a digital recorder in the room and let it go. It's also great evidence for any fight later, should it come to that. Hopefully it wouldn't. I would show the recordings to the therapist privately, so he/she is aware of what's really going on but at the same time, with the caveat that they do not mention them. This way the wife has no knowledge that the recordings exist. It's better that she not know. In the short-term, she would view it as a violation of trust. In the long-term, the element of surprise is always good.

My guess is the reason Mike is sticking around and sticking by her at this point is that he realizes that she could be "made better" if the therapist can convince her of the fact that 1) she and Mike need to keep coming to therapy and 2) a lot of her instability could be from a combination of menopause or premenopause and a chemical imbalance... and she should be willing to give meds a chance.

Mike, nobody is gonna say you gave up on her easily. If she absolutely refuses to continue therapy and to try meds after y'all go to therapy a few more times, you are probably at a point where you need to consider separating. At least for awhile.
Maybe she could go stay with someone in her family for a few weeks. If she had a few emotional outbursts with them, perhaps one of them could convince her that she may need to consider meds.

Thing is, it's not about her anymore. It's about Mike, and his mental well being. I'f mike's not taking care of Mike, Mike can't take care of anybody, as much as he wants to, or thinks he is.
One tactic would be to work out the details of the divorce and present it to her. Two things can happen. She goes along with it or it snaps her into reality mode.
Either way, something has to give. It shouldn't be those who can't make the choices themselves.
Your kids don't have much more time before this has long-lasting emotional effects (if it already hasn't).
I have been here.

As I read through this, I begin to wonder if there may not be more involved from the medical perspective. There are several retinitis pigmintosa syndromes associated with psychoses- including progressive "rage." Has you're wife's hearing been tested? If there is also a hearing deficit, the association would be much stronger.

If this is the case, I'm afraid you are fighting a losing battle, but at least you'll know what it is.

Charles

Good point, as well as several eye medications that can cause the appearance of 'roid rage.

But be prepared to finish this.

Charles, the women has the ears of a bat.

Snipe - I get the sense that you think I am a pussy for standing for this. Maybe I am. Its a bit more complicated. Today is her birsthday and I guess I didn;t want a repeat of every holiday we have had in the past year or so - always drama. I just wanted to have one desent holiday.

Leaving or kicking her out would actually be very easy except there is more to it. Fist off I work and the kids have various activities. I think I could figuer out a logistical solution while I am in town but what about when I am not? I travel almost every other week for work. I might only be gone two to four days each trip but what of the kids during that time? If I could have a family member step up, move in and help I would. There just isn't anyone available to do so. That is the major stumbling block...

Dude, just do your best and you'll figure it out, come what may.

The rest of us are mere observers. You're a good man, Mike.

quick re-action,,
is not always the best course of action..
you a putty ..
far from it..
a twat would have left last yr..

Rika