I know you have spent a lot of time trying to figure out if he loved you or if he loved OW. I really think he only loves himself, and has no ability to love women at all. I even question the depth of love he has for your girls.
Sara, It's sad, but I think that DD20 would agree with you. He has made her very bitter. When I say something like, "Your dad didn't used to be like this." She will most of the time say, "When was dad not gripey and withdrawn?"
I honestly can think of when he was family oriented, but what I think is a "MLC" really started when DD20 was around 15. It may have started earlier, but that is the time that comes to mind for me.
H always wanted the girls to behave perfectly when in public. Which for the most part they did, but if they did "slip" he was very stern with them. He did not seem to care if he embarassed them in front of friends.
I do know he will have a rude awakening with OW's 10 year old son. From what I hear from teachers at his school (some of them are my friends) he is a very rambunctious little boy and can be pretty annoying. H has told me before he doesn't like the little boy. Sad, isn't it? Doesn't H realize the son is part of the package?
Sara, you are correct that my H's behavior is very indicative of only loving himself.
Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. -- Bernice Johnson Reagon
