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Divorce/Separation :
My mother blames me for not allowing him to cheat...

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 Exit Wounds (original poster member #32811) posted at 8:30 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

So I had this talk w/ my mother the other day. She says that I am at fault for checking up on my husband and trying to force him to stop his cheating. If I only had understood that "men cheat" my kids would still have their father in their lives. But *I* had to check on him. *I* had to press him to give up his whores and I should have allowed him to have his whores. Then, my kids would have a solid family with a mother and a father.

Your thoughts?

ETA She was married for 48 years to my father who freely cheated inc. sent one of his whores and my mother to the U.S. to visit me.

[This message edited by Exit Wounds at 2:43 PM, October 23rd (Wednesday)]

Exit WoundsH of 17 years got gf pregnant, left our kids 9 & 11 and we never saw him again. -His choice.

posts: 2692   ·   registered: Jul. 17th, 2011   ·   location: Texas
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gma56 ( member #19595) posted at 8:46 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Maybe in her and other's world,cheating is just part of being married. My vows said otherwise and I believed in what I vowed to FT.

If you knew that cheating was acceptable and likely you would have chosen differently. (never married)The kids wouldn't have to be from a divorced family because you never would have brought kids into the relationship.

Kudos to Mom for staying married to a liar and cheater. It's nothing I would admire.

Hugs

Consider the fact Mom is from a generation that stayed together no matter what was wrong. Infidelity and abuse were rampant in many homes for us babyboomers growing up. NO ONE talked about it. That, in my opinion, is so much worse than coming from a single parent family.

BW-Divorced
It's my life now, my choices, my mistakes to make and my victories to celebrate. His choices made me free of liars and betrayers in my life. That is priceless.

posts: 20502   ·   registered: May. 19th, 2008   ·   location: Closer to where I want to be..
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nowiknow23 ( member #33226) posted at 8:50 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

I'm really trying not to speak ill of people I've never met, so I won't print my real response to that, except to say that I VEHEMENTLY disagree.

Cheese house, EW - what a thing to have to hear from your own mother. She's absolutely wrong, you know. In case you ever let that voice in your head, I need you to hear another voice yelling it down - WRONG!

((((((EW))))))

You can call me NIK

And never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be.
― Sarah McMane

posts: 40250   ·   registered: Aug. 29th, 2011
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Phoenix1 ( member #38928) posted at 8:52 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

That is just fucked up!

Where I come from that is called accepting an open marriage, which is fine if both parties are in agreement to that particular lifestyle. However, it cannot be one-sided. That is called infidelity, and I did not sign on for that nor did I ever suggest that I would blindly accept it and "look the other way." What a load of crap and totally misplaced blame for your mother to heap on your shoulders! YOU didn't blow up your family, your cheating spouse did!

fBS - Me
Xhole - Multiple LTAs/2 OCs over 20+yrs
Adult Kids
Happily divorced!

You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. ~C.S. Lewis~

posts: 9059   ·   registered: Apr. 9th, 2013   ·   location: Land of Indifference
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chikastuff ( member #35288) posted at 8:54 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

The sins of our parents are not something that we're obligated to repeat.

What she's saying is akin to telling you to stay in an abusive marriage because respectful people don't do divorce. It's bullshit and you don't have to listen to it. Please don't listen to it.

Unfortunately she's likely seeing a lot of herself and her situation in what's going on with you right now. Her defense mechanism is to encourage you to take the path she took because that's the only way she knows and because to send you in another direction would means she's flawed. It's nothing more than an attempt at self preservation.

You are your own person. You're stronger than codependence and you can and should break free.

Me- 32
Happily engaged and moving on

posts: 382   ·   registered: Apr. 9th, 2012   ·   location: New England
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EvenKeel ( member #24210) posted at 8:54 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

That conversation is all about her making herself feel better about the life she had.

I am sorry.

posts: 6985   ·   registered: May. 31st, 2009   ·   location: Pennsylvania
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7yrsflushed ( member #32258) posted at 9:04 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Sorry Exit Wounds. This sucks but to have your own family placing blame as well is another level of shit you don't need. My parents have been supportive but had my Mother said to me what your told you I would have responded with, since Mom doesn't understand that she is supposed to suport her children maybe the kids won't have Grandma in there lives either. Maybe she would change her tune then.

Sorry stuff like this pisses me off when people that are supposed to be in your corner aren't.

D-day 5/24/11
BH = Me
2 children
The first true sense of calm I felt in YEARS was when I filed for D...
Divorced 9/2/14 and loving life!

posts: 2231   ·   registered: May. 24th, 2011   ·   location: VA
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Undefinabl3 ( member #36883) posted at 9:07 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

I am so glad that whatever Koolaid that your mom drank never got passed onto you.

Me: 35 MH
Him: 41 MH
New online find 6/19/14 - shit
Phone Find 11/21/14 - I can't even right now.
1/26/15 - Started IC for me, DH won't go.
1/10/18 - Again?!? Online EA's

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suckstobeme ( member #30853) posted at 9:30 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

She's from a generation of women who had virtually no choice. They stayed because there was no way to leave. They demanded nothing from their husbands as long as there was a roof over their heads, and food on the table. They used this to justify and rationalize away the fact that their husbands were abusive, lying, cheating bastards.

We no longer live in that generation and, therefore, we no longer have to view marriage as just a means to an end.

Unfortunately, your mother has not evolved. Marriage is supposed to be a partnership and, as the vows say, spouses are supposed to be faithful. Why bother without fidelity?

I 100% agree with the prior poster who said that this is just a way for your mother to feel better about her own bad situation. She wants to break you down and make you feel weak for demanding more of your husband because she couldn't or wouldn't do that herself.

Please know that this is all on him. The break up of your M and your family is all his fault. You expected respect in your marriage, which is what we all deserve. You expected fidelity because this is what he promised and it's what we all deserve. The fact that he couldn't deliver and didn't want to participate in a real, honest, loving union is NOT your fault.

I don't know that I would be able to be around my mom if she spewed such unsupportive garbage at me during the most difficult time of my life.

I'm so sorry. None of what she says is true.

BW - me
ExWH - "that one"
D - 2011
You get what you put in, and people get what they deserve.
Hard as it may be, try to never give the OP any of your power or head space.

posts: 4028   ·   registered: Jan. 17th, 2011
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realitybites ( member #6908) posted at 9:41 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

I agree that this is a whole other generation. Women now are many times making just as much money if not more then the husband. Women are graduating college in greater numbers then men.

The world where men ruled and could do whatever they wanted and disrespect the woman at home who took care of everything and who raised their children is not the norm anymore. Women have choices and they don't have to sit there a take it anymore.

Your mother sadly is giving you horrible advice. I hope you find happiness and joy with whatever you want to do and not feel less then at home because of a man who is out screwing other women while you are at home waiting for him.

Stop expecting loyalty from people who cannot even give you honesty.

He stopped being my husband the first time he cheated. It took me awhile to understand that I was no longer his wife.

posts: 6939   ·   registered: Apr. 16th, 2005   ·   location: florida
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SBB ( member #35229) posted at 10:00 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

I cannot imagine being so detached from my emotions that I would even think this let alone say it to one of my daughters.

Then, my kids would have a solid family with a mother and a father.

Modelling atrocious behaviour.

What kind of mother is she being right now? Doesn't sound very 'solid' to me.

Not only is life different for women but also for men. They weren't able to get divorced without massively impacting their lives. They would often lose their children and it was not as socially accepted as it is today.

I'm so sorry EW. I can't imagine hearing this from my own mother.

I may have reached a point where I'd piss on him if he was on fire.... eventually!!

posts: 6062   ·   registered: Apr. 4th, 2012   ·   location: Australia
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 Exit Wounds (original poster member #32811) posted at 10:00 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

I really appreciate all you guys' responses!

My mother is a M.D. She is highly regarded in her field and made more money than my dad, who happened to be a psychiatrist (of all things) So the theory of her staying for the roof over her head is not the case. She said "I had a very expensive husband at home." Meaning SHE paid his way. I asked her WHY did you stay she said b/c she loved him.

I have to say I was stunned when she said its my fault that he left. It hurt me deeply b/c I don't want to be blamed for him. After all, I gave him chance after chance. The straw that broke the camels back is when one of his whores came up pregnant.

I am so greatful that you guys disagree with her. I have to admit for a split second I thought..."wow, it IS my fault".

[This message edited by Exit Wounds at 4:09 PM, October 23rd (Wednesday)]

Exit WoundsH of 17 years got gf pregnant, left our kids 9 & 11 and we never saw him again. -His choice.

posts: 2692   ·   registered: Jul. 17th, 2011   ·   location: Texas
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laney57 ( member #35617) posted at 10:04 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

I'm sorry. She has a right to her opinion on her life and how it worked. Shame on her for not supporting you with her very few wods.

You know that's just nutty. Hugs!

Update 01/21/17
Me - BS, 46
Him - WH, 48
Married - 23 years
D-Day - 05/12/2012
Trying to find me still
Separated 03/2014 (he moved out of state for job)
Tried and tried and failed long distance 09/2015
Have no idea

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nowiknow23 ( member #33226) posted at 10:08 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

I have to admit for a split second I thought..."wow, it IS my fault".

Oh, honey. Not at all your fault. I hate that you felt that way, even for just a second. (((((Exit Wounds)))))

You can call me NIK

And never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be.
― Sarah McMane

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id 6534625
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Reality ( member #39077) posted at 10:42 PM on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Not to be flip, but best response:

Dead pan face:

"Mom, you were part of the Free Love movement?"

Different generation, major projection. ((Exit)) Not your fault ever. Raising children to be healthy rather than vehicles to carry on "tradition" makes you a great parent.

posts: 292   ·   registered: Apr. 24th, 2013
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Tripletrouble ( member #39169) posted at 12:47 AM on Thursday, October 24th, 2013

Just wow. I would also point out previous generations didn't have to worry about HIV, Hep C,, HPV, or even herpes until the early 80's. Tolerating it now can be life threatening.

40 somethings - me BW after 20 years
D Day April 2013
Divorced November 2013
Happily remarried 2018
Time is a great healer but a terrible beautician.

posts: 1175   ·   registered: May. 3rd, 2013
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Take2 ( member #23890) posted at 1:10 AM on Thursday, October 24th, 2013

My mom stepped out of high school and into WWII. When she was raising us kids (8 of us, and a couple foster kids sprinkled in) she learned that her best friend's husband (who also had 8 kids) was cheating on her.

My mom told my Dad then and there, that if he ever cheated, she would never tell him that she knew - he'd just wake up one day to find he was raising 8 kids -- alone.

She morphed from mom into a very successful business woman at age 50, and is 90 y/o now. Not all of that generation thought they were stuck. If you ever need to borrow her - she still has enough spunk to go around!

Hang tough - my mom would be proud!

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Joseph Campbell...So, If fear was not a factor - what would you do?

posts: 4432   ·   registered: May. 6th, 2009   ·   location: New England
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SeanFLA ( member #32380) posted at 2:04 AM on Thursday, October 24th, 2013

My mom said..."I can't believe you didn't belt her one when you found out...as most guys probably would do."

Definately something there from the older generation because I would never raise a finger to her. Not that I didn't want to grab her by the collar a few times and throw her out of the house when my son was in obvious pain and she had zero emotion.

BS(me) 53
WW 52
1 son 20 yrs old
Married 18 yrs, together 21 yrs

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." ~ Bob Marley

posts: 1647   ·   registered: Jun. 4th, 2011   ·   location: Zombie Land
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Jrazz ( member #31349) posted at 2:09 AM on Thursday, October 24th, 2013

My mom said the same thing. She also said I should let him go to strip clubs more.

Different era - different planet... whatever it is, they aren't based in OUR reality.

(((Exit Wounds)))

"Don't give up, the beginning is always the hardest." - Deeply Scared's mom

posts: 29076   ·   registered: Feb. 28th, 2011   ·   location: California
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Mr. Kite ( member #28840) posted at 2:31 AM on Thursday, October 24th, 2013

Exit Wounds - sorry you have to go through even more pain inflicted by someone who should have your back and not make you feel even worse.

After D-Day 1 my mom told me that my dad had cheated on her as well, and that I should stay with WW and raise our son, no matter what. In other words, "If I had to do it, you have to do it too." When the same thing happened years later to my younger brother, her baby boy, she changed her tune to "I'll kill her if I ever get my hands on her." Warped thinking is not necessarily generational.

The irony is that my mom didn't get along at all with WW until after D-Day 1, then they were like best chums. The day my mom passed away, WW was practically inconsolable. I've learned not to share my pain with family members or friends. I only do that here on this site. This is why SI is so important to me.

I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you what not to do.

posts: 1173   ·   registered: Jun. 18th, 2010   ·   location: Mid-Atlantic
id 6534965
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