Divorcing empty nesters...

Divorcing empty nesters...

Author
Discussion

DocJock

8,359 posts

241 months

Saturday 1st April 2017
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Actually, he is showing he has cojones by declining to engage her in the fights she so obviously wants in order to add ammunition to her argument.

He is both setting an example to his son that you treat others as you would like to be treated, and maintaining as stress-free an environment for him as possible.

BlackLabel

13,251 posts

124 months

Saturday 1st April 2017
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I feel a bit sorry for the soon-to-be Mrs Tonker - it's not because of anything he's done however from what's been written in this thread she clearly has some mental health issues and she deserves help and support, not ridicule and hate.

johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

104 months

Saturday 1st April 2017
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BlackLabel said:
I feel a bit sorry for the soon-to-be Mrs Tonker - it's not because of anything he's done however from what's been written in this thread she clearly has some mental health issues and she deserves help and support, not ridicule and hate.
She seems to be getting more than her fair share of help and support from Tonker and should be getting the rest from a medical professional. From whom is she receiving ridicule and hate?

Robertj21a

16,478 posts

106 months

Saturday 1st April 2017
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
You're doing well, Tonker. Keep your chin up and life will start to get better.

mr_spock

3,341 posts

216 months

Saturday 1st April 2017
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Tonker, you're doing the right thing. The more you help now, the faster it ends. Chin up, it will all be OK.

RDMcG

19,188 posts

208 months

Saturday 1st April 2017
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Tonker: Later in life you will reap the benefit in your relationship with your son, because he will come to understand that you did everything to make a horrible trauma of splitting up as respectful as possible. I did similarly and basically give her 100% of what I had, house, investments and so on. We flat broke in my forties but it made me immediately rebuild my life, and it all turned out well. You are doing the right thing.

escargot

17,110 posts

218 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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M, you are winning - regardless of how it feels. Keep going.

mr_spock

3,341 posts

216 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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While you have a valid point, I think divorce is a special situation. Simply by inaction, or being useless or obstructive, Tonker's ex can make his life impossible. If he doesn't bend over backwards to hold it together, he actually suffers more because he wants things to be right. She doesn't seem to give a stuff. When it's all over, he will know that he did the right thing and can look at himself in the mirror.

ETA: maybe I'm projecting!


mr_spock

3,341 posts

216 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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I think of it like this: If a drunk was in my house, peeing on the carpet and breaking stuff, I'd open the door for him to leave rather than have a fight which will only make it worse.

The problem with setting boundaries for an ex-partner is that they have no incentive to respect them, and many incentives to cross them. That just makes it worse - either it escalates, or one part backs down with even more resentment. IMHO, not worth it.

ali_kat

31,992 posts

222 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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No matter how we disagree, Tonker is putting his son first, no matter how he feels about the right or wrong of what he is doing, and that's what he is teaching his son.

AstonZagato

12,714 posts

211 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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And also, once they are not living in the same space, Tonker's attitude can (and I suspect, will) harden.

jonah35

3,940 posts

158 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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Tonker has and is a long standing contributor to ph whose views i think most of us respect.

What id like to know now tonker is given what you know would you have got married in the first place or get married again?

Would you now argue its simpler to have a partner and have a child whilst not being married? Then you wouldnt have to give up half your assets?

It seems youve worked very hard and long hours to build up your assets and id appreciate your views.

singlecoil

33,695 posts

247 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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jonah35 said:
Would you now argue its simpler to have a partner and have a child whilst not being married? Then you wouldnt have to give up half your assets?
Simple still to have a partner and not have a child.

Robertj21a

16,478 posts

106 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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singlecoil said:
Simple still to have a partner and not have a child.
Or just have a range of good friends, some with benefits......

Steve H

5,306 posts

196 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
The question is, when that does happen, are you going to allow her to push the button that she seems able to find every time and have you contribute towards the new place (in addition to any settlement) because your son will be living there.

I applaud your strength through out this but at some point you will have to make a tough decision if you want to be able to get on with your life and force your ex to take control of hers.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

119 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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Keep your chin up and a smile on your face.

Cold

15,252 posts

91 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Now we know you're bonkers! Why the hell would risk going through all this mess again with someone else? Lunacy, I tell you. Lunacy!

mr_spock

3,341 posts

216 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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Cold said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Now we know you're bonkers! Why the hell would risk going through all this mess again with someone else? Lunacy, I tell you. Lunacy!
Boobies. It can only be because boobies.

Matt UK

17,729 posts

201 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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So drop your son to her and remain in control of the situation.

singlecoil

33,695 posts

247 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Are we to understand that your son is in your sole care until she arrives? If that's the case how do you get to simply leave if she doesn't arrive on time?