Tomorrow his family is coming over so he can change two of their vehicles tires over to winter ones. I was honest and told him that I couldn't play happy housewife with them while he was outside doing the tires. So he'll have to make whatever excuse for me not being there while I have to find somewhere to hide out for a couple of hours. I'll miss seeing my awesome nephew that I don't get to see that often. It's extra frustrating because I have significant health issues that leave me very fatigued.
I guess what I'm saying is it is hard to not feel punished by the A. WH keeps saying 'you have to understand that I'm in pain with this too' - I do get it. I see it. I see his remorse. But the difference in this is he got a choice and I didn't.
So basically this is a whine, but I'd love to hear from others that didn't tell the in-laws on how to deal with it. I'd like to be ok with having some time with them by xmas. I didn't realize how strongly I felt about playing house in front of them until this thing came up. Telling them about the A isn't really practical - his mom never has dealt with his father's death, his one sister is totally dysfunctional and the other is busy with her own family and stress. I'd not gain more from them knowing than what I'd lose from dealing with all the drama.
So any tips or thoughts?
We were watching some stupid reality show and they started playing that damn Whitney Houston song "Saving all my love for you". Talk about trigger song.... I quietly left the room to cry. I think WH told everyone I was sick. First truth from his lips for eons....
So I applaud your great wisdom in not being there when in-laws are present. In my sitch, and 8 months from DD, I actually don't care if my in-laws know... They don't, but what hurts is SIL is one of my best friends and I can't even share my pain her brother has caused me.
Keep strong, keep posting.... Sorry I can't offer any concrete advice, but know we care
I struggle with this on a weekly basis, with a large family of in laws who have their own dysfunction.
What I keep in mind when I'm stronger is that in this case, they were also lied to. Some were drawn into the drama to keep the A underground and have that to live with. Children were drawn in and lied to, no one was spared.
However, what I don't know, is as Fatty B (OW) is let into the daylight and brought into public view, a similar question comes to mind because I cannot be friends with someone who accepts her. I can't. It mean they don't accept me.
I'm sorry to not have active advice but one thing I am is very blunt with them. If I'm down I tell them and I make myself scarce for a while.
Currently XPerv is being a really big jackass and I'm bitter so I told some of them I need some time. They don't want to hear about him in a bad way and have their own denial, so while I can't be rosy and pretend, I go away.
If I'm in their company and have an emotional time come, I excuse myself. None of them were taught to deal with emotions and I know they won't help me or want to hear what's really wrong, so when I'm not strong, I stay away. It's easiest.
I, too have health issues and am often tired and one comment XPerv made was that I didn't take proper care of myself...when it's actually a life long and chronic disease.
Setting boundaries for WH and people is really, really hard, and I'm having to do that too. He was a buffer in a way and that's gone now. And people don't like me to have a backbone, but there it is.
Don't let your WH make his "pain" more important than yours. ETA that some of the things your WH said sound a little narcissistic, like redirecting the attention to him with the boohoo about his pain. Sorry for the sarcasm.
[This message edited by Ashland13 at 11:42 AM, October 20th (Sunday)]
You gave me nothing and now it's all I've got - Bono
A person is a person, no matter how small. -Dr. Suess
Perserverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
-George Washington
I went with him, but was not my usual happy go lucky self. Some of the family noticed some did not. When they asked my response was I will be ok don't worry. If they pushed my response was just to say"you need to ask your brother/uncle what's going on"".
It let me spend time with people I do love without putting on the fake smile and put the onus on him to explain what was wrong with me. It actually was a pleasant day all in all.
I still feel the same frustration and we are just over a year into R. There is absolutely nothing that could have prepared any of us (BS's) for the intense and prolonged set of adverse emotions the A caused. In situations like the one you have described I tell myself that it is COMPLETELY APPROPRIATE for me to take care of myself. If I need time and space to myself...so be it. If I need to keep people that I feel are "unsafe" away from me...so be it. It is okay to remind yourself that you did not make the decisions that got you here, but you can make the decisions that can help you heal. I don't know if this helps, but I think I know what you are struggling with. (((((HUGS)))))
Married 23 years - together for 29 years
DDay - June 10th 2012 then TT'd-June 2012 - July 2012 (and beyond????) 2 amazing children
"Understanding love is one of the hardest things in life." - Fred Rogers
Time to get selfish. Stop worrying about the fallout. Let him deal with it. Blood is thicker and all that so expect some betrayal.
Start thinking about your future and how you want to spend the rest of your life. He doesn't sound like a good bet to me.
[This message edited by Pippy at 12:52 PM, October 20th (Sunday)]
I had a fabulous time taking photos and then met with friends for coffee/tea. He said everything went alright with his family, though they were asking about me. I missed my nephew, couldn't care otherwise. So it was a good day for me. :)
