To Hope or Not to Hope?

[MichelleLT]

While anything is possible just keep in mind there is a lot of anger and frustration on both sides.

You need to focus on two things: taking care of yourself and the kids; and reducing the negative emotions.

The first you have a clear handle on. You obviously can stand up for yourself and have few problems asking for what you want/need.

The second - keep talking limited, don't initiate contact very much, work on keeping/getting a positive mental attitude on your part. Give him time to sort through his thoughts and emotions and miss you and his family. If he does come up this weekend, be the person he misses (as much as possible be nice, happy, fun, jokey - the things he remembers from when you were dating / newlyweds that drew him to you).

As an exercise, what do you think those qualities were? And if you think you still have them, why do you think he might not appreciate them as much? If you don't, what could you do to find yourself again?