Kind18 - I agree that we had an unhealthy power dynamic that lacked respect from each of us. It’s something my sister has mentioned to me as well.
A little update to the situation yesterday - I got home from the football game and W was in laying in the middle of our king size bed with the two little ones on either side. D4 asked if I could put her in her own bed so I did. W said I'd have to sleep on the couch because there wasn't room. I said I would not leave my bed and that she was free to sleep wherever she wanted. She got upset, accused me of trying to manipulate her because in my begging phase I had asked her to sleep in the bed instead of the couch, she moved D6 to her own bed, told me to stay away from her kids and said she'd take me for everything I have. I told her I understand her frustration, but she is the one choosing to separate and I would not be leaving my own bed.
As I left for work this morning, she woke up and started calling me a fake nice guy and said this was all an act and is not my true self. I’m not sure exactly where that came from first thing in the morning, but I responded that I was sorry she felt that way, and this is not an act. I said have a good day, and left for work.
These interactions make me feel like I’m doing something right. It’s only been in the past week or so that I’ve stuck up for myself instead of living in fear of upsetting her. I assume it’ll take W a little time to adjust to that, but it’s nice no longer walking on eggshells in my own home.
