"I am not sure about the utility of getting angry, besides venting. "

Really? The point is for you to start showing some PASSION about something! You let her insult you constantly and that has carried on to your relationship with your children. You're afraid to hug them even. This will carry onto EVERY SINGLE relationship henceforth. Start by getting some self-respect back.

I will tell you one thing. Your M has failed because YOU have failed at doing this. Your W has told you time and time and time and time again to start growing a pair and argue back with her. The majority of women will be like that. Honestly, I've never seen a more dull and passive individual as you are on the boards. That's not an insult. That's just a fact. Through the years, I've never seen you show any signs of self-respect even when your W is walking all over you. You just accept it and ask for more.

M-43 W-40
2D - 9 and 5

Emotion, yet peace.
Ignorance, yet knowledge.
Passion, yet serenity.
Chaos, yet harmony.
Death, yet a new life.

RECONCILED AND WISER