First off, you need a financial agreement. Based on other WAW's and their stitch, she may think she will get more from you without one, but IDK. Does she have her own income? (Sorry, can't remember.). If it was her idea to leave the home, IMO, she should not expect more than child support. And, if you have the kids half of the time, that should be considered in that evaluation. That's why I think a lawyer needs to handle it, b/c they won't be guilted into things like the LBH will. Right now, she is looking out for her own financial wellfare. You would be wise to protect yourself. With a financial agreement in place, you submit a certain amount, and then it is up to her how she spends it.
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My 'hobby', more than anything, was my family; that's where I spent my time and energy. I'm having a hard time replacing that with anything else.
People and relationships aren't hobbies. Perhaps you never had a hobby or special interest in anything that did not involve your family. Does that sound healthy or balanced? To me, it sounds like a potential setup for a man becoming co-dependent, which is not a good thing. And I can speak from experience of being M to a man who was co-dependent on his family (not me and the kids). You may not know where to start, but you really need to find something in life for yourself that is not dependent on a family member. It is great that you enjoy spending time and energy with them, but can you see where there should have been more balance in your life? I think one thing that helps keep a couple's relationship healthy is to have independent interest, activities, same sex friends, etc. (Of course, you wouldn't include anything that would be inappropriate or endangerous to the MR/family like having opposite sex friends that you text and meet up.). I think every couple needs to have other couple friends who are not related.
It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!
