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Opinions please...............

Steppy MN2's picture

My DH and I were arguing the other day about skid stuff. I am always telling him that his kids ALWAYS come first, then his ex-wife cuz he's always busy trying to avoid any confrontation etc with her and then I come in last.
During the argument he makes some comment about how "he has always wanted to be a Dad and he doesn't know how to be anything else". I really wondered what he meant by that so to make sure I understood I asked him to write it down for me. The following is what he wrote. Is he really just a loving Father and I don't understand or are his kids his whole life and I pretty much don't have much of a chance of him ever making me and our marriage a priority.
This is exactly what he wrote:
"You asked how I see myself. I see myself as a Dad. What does that mean? I'm not sure. It's how I've always thought of myself..at least after my first child was born and it's what I aspired to before they were born. I guess it's a state of being or it means providing unconditional love for a child and being there for them whenever they need it, whether they know it or not. It's something that gives it's own reward and joy sometimes expressed by the child, sometimes just felt in your heart. It's the smile on your face when you smell a wet child's hair as they sit in your lap and read a book. I know my kids are older than the three years old they were at that time but that is still the feeling and memory that I recall as I'm helping them now or they are helping me. Whether it is being there physically to support them or just saying a silent prayer for them or them just being with me. It's the delight in their accomplishments and comforting them in their disappointments."

Comments

QueenBeau's picture

You need to ask him how he sees himself as a husband. Because if he doesn't, then you'll never get what you need out of the relationship.

BethAnne's picture

If you ask him to write a similar bit about how he sees his role as a husband then you should get a more rounded answer. People can be more than one thing at a time. Perhaps forcing him to think about his husband role in isolation with help him to realize that he may not have been prioritizing you enough. You could even write one back for him about your role as a wife and a SM...could even turn into a sweet valentines day exchange of intimate thoughts and feelings if presented in the correct way.

Steppy MN2's picture

Thanks for your comments. And interestingly enough, he made the comment that he wanted to "give his oldest a soft landing". My comment was "oh you must be expecting her to fail".
And yes, I could ask him to write what he thinks about being a husband. I'm sure he would write about how important being a husband is............blah blah blah. I just wouldn't be able to match up his words with his actions so that might leave me even more resentful.
I had no desire to get married (to anyone) when I met him but as we were dating he made me feel that he would be a good husband and partner. All that changed once we got married and since then it's been all about him being a Dad again.