No offense taken at all. The one thing W did not have as a child was counseling or split custody. Her counselor later in life was chosen by her mom and was a friend from church, someone who probably couldn't remain objective. Her father had always been her rock and the man has a heart of gold. They are now not speaking. I can't let that happen. I will not let this cycle continue for my children.
As for forceful encouragement: One day while lamenting, my SIL called me, yelling at me and said
"Take your b*lls out of her purse, stand up for yourself and be a man."
Something clicked inside me and I've been a different person since. It was then I started to get self confidence back and realized how much control W had over my emotions. Sometimes this type of encouragement is needed.
