I agree this boundary needs to be set. It's disrespectful and insensitive. You don't need to be treated like this in your home. If she is going to stay in the house, then she must treat you with respect--which she did, by the way, after you drew the line in the sand.
She may have been childish about it, but neither one of you handled particularly well--still, the boundary was set.
I think she deserves an atta boy for listening.
I believe this is all in the approach.
Yes, you could be a real parental-sounding jerk.
Or...
You could guide your sad, childish MLC-ing spouse in this little boundary-setting experiment.
You ARE the grown up right now. She needs you to be the rock, the example of mature, grown up behavior.
BUT you can't lecture of sound like a parental control freak.
How about you practice on here before you talk to her. Remember, you are talking to a child right now.
How about: I know you are going through a difficult time. I care about you and it hurts to see you hurting. I know you see your "friends" as helpful during this time. I respect you needing to make your own decisions on how best to take care of yourself. I really appreciate how you shut down the texting in the bedroom when I was trying to sleep.
Don't beat yourself up. You are obviously taking your marriage very seriously and putting in tons of effort to be a better spouse, person, dad. It shows!!
Heather
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
