Once again - Cosmicjoke is RIGHT!
Listen - I know how you feel. Bogged down. Fear running through your body - your mind is ELECTRIFIED. Your thoughts are running so fast - you can't think. Shocks going through your body that makes you feel like your heart is swelling - you actually FEEL a physical sensation resembling pain stabbing your heart. Why - you didn't even know that just the thought of what you are facing - your new reality - is making your heart race. It's probably racing RIGHT NOW!
I KNOW. I KNOW!!
But here is what else I know.
Words (paraphrase) coming from Iyanla (Opera Network)
To fix your LIFE, you HAVE to do the WORK!
Work? What is the work?
It starts with facing your NEW reality.
What is your new reality?
Your husband had an affair. You did not know. You found out 2 weeks after it is SUPPOSEDLY OVER!! It was supposedly ended - BUT - lo and behold - the OW is PREGNANT. Ha - Ha - NOW - he wants to be a part of the baby's life (THEREFORE THE ow'S LIFE). Oh yea - and SHE WANTS ME TO GO TO THE FIRST DOCTORS VISIT WITH HER (with your permission of course).
WHY? Because according to HIM - HE has to take responsibility for HIS actions.
(Nothing said about his responsibility to You (THE WIFE) or the 3 children.)
So what is he telling YOU?
That his RESPONSIBILITY to HER is GREATER than his responsibility to you. EVEN THOUGH - you are the WIFE with 3 CHILDREN.
SO - WHAT can you do?
1. Tell YOUR truth - and FACE the CONSEQUENCES - KNOWING -- you will be okay!!
(paraphrase - Iyanla) YOU will be OKAY
Well - HOW do you do THAT?
By laying the ground work for a win - win -- or-- a win - lose - scenario - KNOWING you will be OKAY!!
Well - HOW do you do THAT?
By starting the procedures and the ACTIONS to PROTECT yourself - and MORE IMPORTANTLY - YOUR CHILDREN? NOW.
WHY NOW?
Because you will NOT ACCEPT THAT INSULT! You will lay your groundwork for what is best for you and your children. NOT HIM!!
By protecting yourself and your children LEGALLY - for spousal support and child support.
How do you fix your MIND do that?
By starting off thinking of the BEST or the WORST outcome - and basing your decision on that.
Best Outcome?
He goes NC with OW - wait until the baby is born - establish paternity - the baby is NOT HIS.
BUT - you had your CS papers in anyway- so it is a win-win for you.
OR
He involves himself emotionally with the OW - baby is born - it is his (OH GOD) - he wants to be an integral part of baby's life (so naturally OW's life also) - BUT - YOU HAVE YOUR CS PAPERS FILED - Her ONE child won't get MORE THAN YOU & YOUR CHILDREN's (3) in CS BECAUSE - you FILED First!
The BEST of a BAD situation scenario?
He goes NC - the baby IS his - He puts his priority into his REAL family - but he still has to pay CHILD SUPPORT. However - YOU FILED FIRST - so the MAJORITY of the MONEY stays in the FAMILY anyway.
So - WIN-WIN - or WIN LOSE - YOU CAN STILL SUCCEED.
The plus to all of this?
You stood up for your self. Even with FEAR running through your body - YOU DID THE WORK.
You empowered yourself - you kept your DIGNITY - and your SELF-RESPECT by choosing NOT TO BE INVOLVED in a situation with a HUSBAND who has a second family - and wants you to accept that. WHERE is the DIGNITY in THAT? You did your best for LONG-TERM SUCCESS. So in any scenario - YOU CAN STILL COME OUT THE WINNER. For You and more importantly - YOUR CHILDREN.
REGARDLESS of HIS decisions - PLEASE protect yourself and your children.
YOU ALREADY KNOW THE LAY OF THE LAND!!