I cannot for the life of me figure out what he thinks I need HIM to plan for ME. I have smart ass retorts all ready to go and I don't even know what "plan" he means. Today might be the worst day ever as I've been embracing my anger lately instead of burying it.
I think I should go into this with a SHUT mouth, open ears, and just see what happens but I am afraid he'll lead in with something stupid like trying to tell me where to live or what to give and I'm going to fly off the handle before the "talk" even gets started.
I keep trying to remind me that maybe he's having a sane rational moment and the talk could be more productive and cheaper than 2 lawyers talking but that image isn't really overcoming the scenarios bouncing around in my head where I either laugh at his ridiculousness until he gets mad and leaves or I flip a nutty on him.
I wish I would have had time to prep for this little shindig with some talk time with IC.
I so get that. My granny used to tell me I could slit someone'e throat with a sentence......And I have, like you, rehearsed the come backs and quick wit lines ready to throw razor blades at my WS. But, this last time, I was quiet and listened and responded peacefully and it was really a much better outcome. Dont get me wrong, I still have the original script in my head, but I will keep it to myself for now...
And you can too!
[This message edited by NikkiD at 9:47 AM, January 24th (Friday)]
But you know you don't HAVE to talk to him, right? You don't even have to listen to him. You have the right to say no. There's nothing he can't write in email rather than telling you face to face.
((((Jennifer))))
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." -Walt Whitman
Turns out the mediator told him to do this to see how much I knew what I was entitled to.
So if you are positive you are going to D you do not have to listen to his plan and possibility revealing your intentions.
I will NOT discuss any of my plans.
I would like to know what he is thinking.
I have serious doubts I can keep my mouth shut and not be snarky about his thinking this is how things are going to go.
One of my friends suggests pinching myself when I want to open my mouth. I've been practicing at work today. It is not fun.
I've spent almost 2 years holding things in and only discussing in IC and such and now that my mouth has been turned loose (always the rest of my life it was lol) I can't go back.
I even had to apologize to my son for something he heard me say to his dad. His response? Its ok, he needed to hear it.
Seeing as how this request comes a couple days after his talk with our family law attorney friend I can only imagine.
I will send peace vibes to you while I'm asking for them for myself!
Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.
(((Jennifer)))
^^Those are peace vibes.
Think of and rehearse some positive and neutral responses and add those to your mental file along with the sharp retorts you already have ready.
Maintain control of the environment. Where are you meeting him? It should not be at your home, where your son could hear any drama, and where WH might not respect you if you need to say "I've heard enough, get out." Have the meeting somewhere that YOU can decide to get up and leave if you need to.
On that same note, as you said, you don't have to listen to anything he has to say. Just because his crazy is starting to spill over doesn't mean you have to sit there and let it splash all over you. You are agreeing to this as a courtesy only, and you can change your mind about it at any point where it starts to get heated or feel uncomfortable.
Or, if you're sick of holding things back and want to unload on him, do it. He initiated this little G2G, and he has no right to say whatever he wants and expect you to sit there and not say what you feel.
Peace, hugs, and mojo. You've got this.
Follow your heart, but take your brain with you. ~ Alfred Adler Letting go of the outcome is about the most empowering thing you can do for yourself. ~ LosferWords
Guess what?
It didn't happen.
He was too busy getting ready for this mornings kid activity (major - out in snow all day) because he did nothing for it all day. Then later he was "tired and wanted to get DS in bed early".
I got a lot of school work done and didn't really care either way.
I work all day today and he didn't mention anything about tonight, ds and I go away all day tomorrow.
At least I get to enjoy my weekend and have more time to consider trying to come up with ...what did gypsybird call 'em.... "positive and neutral responses to rehearse". Cuz honestly I can't seem to make any play in my head. There is that "relationship rescue" ad <----over there with Dr. Phil on it. I'm thinking about trying that jaw to cheek touch with a hmmm kind of face instead of Phil's dopey smile. Maybe?
