I did not engage at all like old Doug would have. I quietly allowed her to let off steam and nodded a few times. It was more of an overall, emotional rip job in which her mood and state of mind (overwhelmed?) definitely factored in. So, was it textbook verbal validation from me? Not quite. But it was certainly a 180 from how I would respond to that sort of thing in the past.
She apologized by text about 5 minutes after I left with the kids. That outing had already been planned, so it wasn't like I stormed out or anything. I simply wrote back "It's ok" and left it at that.
I think she was able to get several things done yesterday (in which I was out having fun with the younger kids for probably 5 hours total) and seems in a better mood today. However, I still don't really think my overall situation can be resolved without W getting a taste of life without me. Just gonna have to tread water since I don't plan to leave the home.
Actually ??
It's good that you have made yourself "safe" enough for her to vent...
Possibly work on the "it's ok" and replace it with "Thank you for sharing your thoughts..."
The better mood....???
Part of the bitchc switch thing....
They vent / spew / rant....
And within a few hours, it's like nothing happened and more than likely don't/won't remember...
It tends to be 150% pure raw emotion that is coming out....years of pent up anger without resolution and feelings that haven't been worked through or processed.
Keep being a safe place, as long as it isn't venomous...
