@Fragrant Grace The reason my marriage is failing is completely my fault. This is my second marriage and in both marriages I basically married the same man. My first marriage ended due to extreme financial problems (ended in bankruptcy) among other things. The only financial issues we have in my second marriage is "Whose money is it?" it's our money when its convenient but for the most part it's his. I have always worked full time (other than maternity leave), provided benefits, helped on the farm, taken my kids to appointments, practices etc. In both marriages, my husband didn't help do anything at home.....the kids still went to daycare even if they weren't working.
I'm not playing the victim by saying it is my fault. I say this because I allowed this behavior in both marriages. By allowing this to emerge and continue, I feel resentment, bitterness and anger (borderline hate). Which I know is not good. In both marriages I have tried to talk to my husband to explain my feelings and asked for help. Unfortunately talking to either man in the most non-confrontational way was like trying to rationalize with a toddler. I thought marriage was a partnership but I guess I was wrong about this. I feel like i learned my behavior from my mother. She took care of everything when we were growing up plus worked a full time job. My father always worked but didn't help with any of the domestic duties.
My now husband is going through a bout of depression. Three years ago he lost his off-farm job. He would just sit at home and watch TV all day. He became increasingly mean and hateful. My children and I have suffered mental abuse from him. He would not recognize this until I moved out and he began counseling. (He started taking antidepressants but only took them for a couple months.) The first counselor that we saw was upfront about giving us an honest assessment as to whether or not our marriage was fixable. If not, she could help us make a peaceful transition. During the course of counseling, we would each see here separately and then together once a week. My husband would tell her things in their one-on-one sessions but would not open up to me. We continued counseling for approximately three months. After I moved back into the house, the counselor told us she did not believe that I was happy and basically our marriage was over. My husband made a rude comment to her because he didn't like what she said and would not go back to her again. I continued to go by myself for a few months. It was a place where I could go to vent and express my feelings because I don't have any friends in the town where we live. Now were are scheduled for start counseling with another person. I asked my husband a couple days ago when I made the appointment if he didn't like what this counselor had to say were we going to continue seeking out counselors until we found one that told him what he wanted to hear? He said yes first then said no.
I'm not sure that staying together is best thing to do for our kids. We live together as roommates, separate bedrooms, bank accounts everything. We barely speak to each other and there is no affection.