I would really like to thank everyone for their advice. I have spent time thinking about my situation and know I have to do something about it not only for myself but also for my daughter. It is not right that she sees relationships that are not equal but even worse is that I tend to be weak and allow myself to be pushed to one side. I should not feel that my personal appearance should be dictated to by someone else and this is going to change. He is going to either accept that I have my own mind and I am capable of deciding which new looks I would like to try for myself as an individual, not because I am fearful of upsetting my partner. We should respect each other on an equal basis. Whether DP can accept this will have to be seen.
I feel cutting my hair is a good start point for the beginning of how I want and need our relationship to change. I feel it is a sort of line in the sand. This is what I have decided. Firstly my DP is away with work for 4 nights from mid April. I feel that is a good time to do it, I won't feel under pressure. I went to see my cousin at the salon, she knows what DP is like and we had a good chat about what to do with my hair. She does feel I would suit it short but feels to cut it all off in one go is too daunting from down my back. We have agreed she is going to heavily layer it to about my shoulders like this as a first style. It will be great not to have all my hair down my back like it has been since I was a teenager, thats how long it has been since I had a new look.
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This will give me the time to be sure I really want it short, and if I have any regrets I won't cut it a second time but if I am delighted I will go back on the day he is due home and this is what I would really like. I feel it is such a sassy sexy cut, so flirty and feminine, I so feel it will look great on me.
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I will just be at home when he comes in and I will just ask him if he likes my new look. If he goes crazy I will just say that I love my new look and that so many people have complimented me on it. I will explain to him if he thinks I look so ugly I would understand if he wants to end our relationship if he no longer fancies me or find me attractive any more. I plan on standing firm as I know I can't go on like this any longer.
My biggest concern is when he calls to speak to us at night, I am afraid DD will give the game away, has anyone got any ideas on what's best to say so she keeps Mummies haircut a secret from Daddy when she talks to him?
Well thanks everyone for your help, I have known that my situation is not healthy for either of us. I just needed this push to make a new start. I now feel more confident that if we do split up someone will find me attractive again in the future. It is as if someone has switched on a light, I have woken up to the fact that I am not ugly and I have just lost my self confidence.....or had it taken away from me.
I will let everyone know how things go,
Thanks