Is there a bottom?

[bravo61]

Interesting nite. She called & I talked to S. Then she got on the phone & told me how she did a hard procedure on 1st try. Told her I was so impressed & proud of her. She was so happy to share her story & thanked me for listening. Then she started to tell me how hard a time S has been giving her. She actually teared up and said a Bravo I don't bad talk you. I assured her I don't that she has her feelings, S has his, & I have mine. I can only control mine. She went on about how stressed she was from house stuff & working so much, & choosing between two new jobs. I told her that i knew she'd make a great choice & that in spite of everything I still believed in her. She said that meant a lot. She said that she hasn't been mean, I told her I know she's done her best but if she said that about D being the best for the family that was wrong. She said she didn't recall saying that. That it was only what she thought was best for her not the kids.

She mentioned me saying I don't like her friends in front of S.

Told her I don't know them but I have an issue w/anyone supporting the destruction of my family. & I'm not comfortable having them being around the kids w/the lifestyle they lead.

I was calm & loving throughout. I told her she was welcome to come out w/the kids & I and she'd see I don't talk bout her. Even told her about Sam always putting the plate out for her at the place we always eat at on Tuesdays (she knows that our tradition).

I told her some of her negative assumptions were correct before at times but haven't been that in spite of what she chose to do. She's still painting herself as a martyr & victim but I was shocked she showed some vulnerability. She must've been carrying this stuff for a while. I told her I'll always listen. I didn't offer any suggestions just listened. We talked for like 20 minutes. Just shocked.

Proud that I didn't throw in her face that she does treat me like carp at times. Really working on the recordkeeping. Didn't tell her how she should feel.

She did get upset when I told her that the kids pepper me with questions & tell me things she says. I told her if some of the things are true while disturbing, it wouldn't affect how I treat her or talk negatively about her. She really tried to deflect or minimize S feelings when I told her he wasn't happy. Kids act out when they are unhappy. Well her relationship with them is hers & that's between them. I will say that they trust me and don't give those issues probly cause they know I didn't want this. They also see me treating her with respect in spite of how she treats me.