I'd welcome your views on this please, going to try and keep it factual rather than emotive as I'd like objective thoughts ...
Couple, S and B, have been together over 10 years, always fairly happy but with a bit of doubt niggling underneath it all for S about whether B is definitely the right person for them. Life's path continues, not getting any younger, take the decision to buy a family house, have kids. Now have 2 under 2.
S decides they are really not happy. Tells B. B is devastated, has known there was something wrong but not the extent of it. Wants them to stay together, B will do what they can to change to help S feel happy. S feels under a lot of pressure, does not want to break up family unit, hates self for making B so unhappy. S and B still together but things are just not right. S is resisting talking it through with a counsellor, B won't push it for fear this will precipitate the end.
S is unhappy but genuinely trying their best to keep it together for the sake of family. B knows things are wrong but can't cope with the thought of not being together / being single, and also breaking up the kids' home. Both S & B mindful of the financial impact of two households. Both horribly aware that this was not something they thought would happen to them. S terrified that they are going to be stuck in a limbo of unhappiness until the kids are grown up, which feels like a long time. Wierdly S & B get on in general, can go out with friends and have a nice time, talk about domestic details etc. It's amicable on the surface but the fundamentals are lacking.
Do you think anyone can continue in a relationship like this? For the sake of their partner and children?
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Relationships
Continuing in a relationship when one partner is unhappy
DestinationUnknown · 05/10/2011 12:57
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