Leaving Spouse for the Weekend

@Magenta I need a lot of space too... otherwise it's suffocating.

@Lilymoon Same. Plus I get grouchy. 😊

@Lacemaker this

@JimboSaturn I've always found you to be a smart man and it puzzles me why you would put up with that behavior all these years. Evidently, when her parents were alive, she felt no compunction about manipulating you into living close to them. This appears to be about her exercising her control over you. Don't allow her to continue to keep you from your own family. If she doesn't like them or doesn't want to visit them, that's her problem. Don't allow her to make it yours. Tell her you aren't going to get into an argument over it, that this is something you need to do for your family and yourself, while everyone is still alive and, if she doesn't like it, she needs to find a way to accept it and live with the situation. Maybe suggest she go to a therapist to find out why she doesn't want you to visit your family once in a while. AND, you should visit your mother more often while you can. Because your wife is being ridiculously childish and selfish. It's not fair to you, your mother, and the rest of your family. She's using the animals as an excuse not to go, as well as to try to make you feel guilty. You can always find a pet sitter. Tell her this is a choice she's making. If she's truly your life partner, she needs to understand that partners find a way to work together, compromise, and make sacrifices for each other. If she doesn't want to go, that's fine. But she shouldn't be making your life miserable over what should be a non-issue. She should be encouraging you to visit your family.

@SW-User You know it's gotten better. Each time I assert myself and do what I need to do, she backs off. In fact I just spoke with her and told her that I'm going and she is ok with it now. All I need to do is not cave in. Thanks for your support!

Some people with controlling tendencies only understand strength.

@JimboSaturn Glad I could help. 😊

@Miram She is a bit controlling and she hates being alone, although she has gone places without me for a week at a time and I dont' complain.

@JimboSaturn she should understand. I think I am the attached type but I'd not get upset about it for long. Your time with your mother isn't something you can ever get back.

@Neoerectus she went on three trips without me for a week each

@TooLate I'm just going to see my family