Awe... I'm sorry. frown Sounds like a tough couple of nights for you. Maybe with the physical space of separation, your wife can cool down a bit. With regard to her sleeping arrangement last night, hey...she made her bed (or rather sleeping bag); now she has to lie in it. Wonder why she felt the need to post that on FB? confused

How's your daughter holding up? Of course, my number one concern in my separation was and is my kids. I've been surprised by how well they are doing. I was told many times that kids are resilient, and it's true. Just keep up the positive reinforcement of your love (and her mother's love) for her. Take your clues from her on how to respond. Whatever you do (and I know you know this, but it's worth repeating), NEVER say a bad word against her mother. In fact, I wouldn't bring her up at all (asking how she's doing, etc.).

With regard to your wife, when she starts the yelling/accusations/etc., just walk away. Set the boundary for verbal abuse the same as you would for physical abuse. Once she realizes she's just yelling, punching, whatever for an audience of one (herself), she'll tire quickly of it. Just calmly let her know that when she's calmed down and can communicate in an adult manner, you'll be happy to speak to her. I think a lot of WAS act this way because they want us to react in like manner; then they can have a reason for wanting to be away from us. Give her no reasons. Just keep being a great dad and a great man.

Keep posting to vent here. The earliest days of separation are the absolute hardest. You will make it through, I promise (if I can, anyone can). We are here to support you. I know I've recommended it to some others on the boards, but in case I haven't to you yet...the book "The Journey from Abandonment to Healing" has been a great source of comfort to me and has helped me embrace the pain as well as work through it on my path to healing.

There are many others on the boards who can offer you better advice than I can, but I would think this is a good time to go as dark as you possibly can. I would limit your conversations to only your daughter and anything else that is absolutely necessary. Don't bring up the affair, don't bring up the divorce, don't bring up the relationship, don't ask her how she's doing, nothing. Let her miss you and get a taste of what the life she has chosen is going to be like. Again, just my 2 cents.


aka lc4 : )