Hi all, so I am in the beginning of a separation from my husband of 9 years.
We have 2 children together, 7 and 6 and I have a daughter from a previous relationship age 12.
6 years ago my husband and I cut all contact with his parents due to abuse and manipulation towards us and the children. It was very messy, very toxic and has since opened a can of worms with my husband realising how abusive they were to him as a child. Emotional abuse, religious abuse, emotional incest to name but a few. He has been in therapy since, trying to work through this and we have had a tough few years trying to help each other through many issues (I have my own too). I would say it has contributed massively to the failing of our marriage.
We are both amicable and realise that we don't bring the best out in each other despite years of counselling and therapy it just isn't working.
My problem and biggest fear (and probably what has kept me hanging on to this relationship so long) is that if we aren't together he may try to establish a relationship with my youngest children to his parents.
He is adamant that he would never expose them to his parents because of his own childhood trauma but on occasions in the past when we have had trial separations he has said he was thinking about striking up a relationship with them again...mainly because of guilt and no other family support.
I honestly don't think he would introduce them for the near future but I am fearful that if he re establishes his own relationship with them again and they start manipulating him all over again he will back down to please them over keeping his kids safe.
I feel utterly terrified that my children may be exposed to these people that have caused so much suffering in mine, my husband and my children's lives (my 12 year old is petrified of my mil).
Do I have a leg to stand on if this potential outcome does happen? Would I be able to protect them?