1 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: I am a younger your host for this journey. I 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: was a hopeless love aholic but just could not get 3 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 1: my love to work. Then, after a series of heartbreaks 4 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:18,639 Speaker 1: and deep heartache, I finally got clear about what love 5 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 1: is and what it is not. I want to share 6 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:27,639 Speaker 1: some of what I've learned about love aholism. Welcome to 7 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: the Our Spot, a production of Shondaland Audio in partnership 8 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:46,879 Speaker 1: with I Heart Radio. My question for you today is 9 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: how do you know when it's time to go? Sometimes 10 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: you know it's time to go, but there's a part 11 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: of you that wants to work it out. Sometimes you 12 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: know it's time to go, but you don't have any 13 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: place to go to. Sometimes you know it's time to go, 14 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 1: but you just can't make that choice, so you default 15 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 1: to let me work it out. Sometimes that works, Sometimes 16 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 1: it doesn't. If you think it's time to go because 17 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 1: of what you experienced before and you're trying to avoid 18 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: it again, it's not time to go. If you think 19 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 1: it's time to go but you still see a glimmer 20 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:36,559 Speaker 1: of hope, something that you can work out, work through, 21 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: and if the other party is willing, then it's not 22 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:45,399 Speaker 1: time to go yet. If you think it's time to 23 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 1: go and the other person isn't willing to do the work. 24 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: Start packing. We've got a little bit of summer. All 25 00:01:55,400 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 1: of that today, take a listen. Greetings, be love and 26 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 1: how are you? Welcome to the art spot. I am 27 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: one sol How are you today? I am blessed and 28 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:13,959 Speaker 1: ready to discuss with you your relationship, challenge, issue, dilemma, 29 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: whatever it is that you're facing. So give me the 30 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 1: low down. Okay, So back in White, when Kovic started, 31 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: my church had an online small group. The gentleman that 32 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: I'm seeing was on a small group and he said 33 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 1: that his mother and his stepfather had just passed away 34 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: four days apart, and I offered him my candolences. He 35 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 1: emailed me after and we started communicating. So in a 36 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 1: conversation I asked him as he married? He said no, 37 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 1: and I wasn't married. We just went to all of 38 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:51,679 Speaker 1: the normal stuff. He told me that his white had 39 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:55,359 Speaker 1: moved out in two dollars seventeen. We talked about the divorce, 40 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 1: and we talked about the relationships and everything. So just 41 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: on side day we were talking about another couple um 42 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 1: that was getting the divorce and he I don't know 43 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 1: if he was a slip or what. But he told 44 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:10,839 Speaker 1: me that he just got a divorce a year ago. 45 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 1: And I'm saying, you told me when I met you 46 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: in twenty twenties that you were divorced. So he said, well, 47 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: you know, in my mind, I was divorced because it 48 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 1: was two thousand seventeen and just it was just signing 49 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: the papers with just a formality. So I don't know 50 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: if it was a bad judgment call or if it 51 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: was just just because he said he was going through 52 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: so much and he hadn't been one of his wife 53 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: and sentence just two thousands seventeen. But I don't know 54 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: if that it was just the sea or was it 55 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 1: just a bad judgment call. What does your gut tell you? 56 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: My gut teld tells me that he didn't want to 57 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: say that he was getting a divorce because I wouldn't 58 00:03:56,200 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: have agreed to that our relationship, you wouldn't have He 59 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: was separated from his wife in were they living together? 60 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 1: People get separated but they still continue in the same 61 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 1: household together. So was he living with his wife? How 62 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: do you know that? He told me she moved out 63 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 1: in two thousands seventeen, and it said it on a divorce. 64 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,719 Speaker 1: It says the separation as of that day. So he 65 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:30,040 Speaker 1: showed me the paperwork and that he could confirm what 66 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: he said. Okay, so how are you defining marriage? What 67 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: I'm hearing you say is that you met this gentleman 68 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 1: in your church group. He stated that he was divorced. 69 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 1: Now you find out that he wasn't divorced at that time, 70 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 1: but now he is divorced. So in your mind he 71 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:59,839 Speaker 1: was still married when he started dating you. Is that accurate? Ye? 72 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: It is accurate. Yeah? Okay, So how are you defining married? 73 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: That's a great question because for me, you're not able 74 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: to marry me because you're still tied legally to this woman. That's, 75 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: to me, is a marriage. Okay. You're focused on the paperwork, yes, 76 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: not on his behavior, not on his commitment, not on 77 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:30,039 Speaker 1: his desire. Okay, So what does your gut tell you? 78 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: Did your gut say that in his mind he was 79 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:39,280 Speaker 1: done and therefore claimed or called his divorce as it 80 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:43,160 Speaker 1: was although it wasn't. Are you there? Are are you 81 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: saying this man lied to me? As saying he lied? Okay? 82 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: So there you go. Let me ask you this is 83 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:57,280 Speaker 1: Are his parents really dead? Yeah? Yeah, Okay, they're really did. Okay, 84 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: So I've been to the cemetery. Now, I don't question 85 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:04,359 Speaker 1: I know that he is honest whatever he says he does. 86 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: I could call him up right now and say I'm 87 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 1: coming over, and he'd be like, Okay, come on. It's 88 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:13,720 Speaker 1: never any secrets or as far as he's showing up 89 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: for me, he's always shown up from me. So I'm 90 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: not questioning that he has some secret life with this 91 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 1: woman or whatever. My concern is you keeping the important 92 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:28,840 Speaker 1: thing from me like that to me was huge. So 93 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 1: you've been to the cemetery to visit his deceased parents. Yeah, open, 94 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:40,160 Speaker 1: clear access to his domicile. I know you're a church lady, 95 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: but I'm gonna ask you any way. Okay, are you 96 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: any intimate? Yes? Okay, So is your concern that he 97 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: lied or is your concern that he committed adultery? Church lady? Both? Yes? 98 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: And so you did too? Okay, Yes, here's another question. 99 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: How long before meeting him? How long were you single? 100 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 1: Seven years? Seven years and your previous relationship ended? Why 101 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: a lie? Lying man? Okay, a lying man. So are 102 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: you concerned about this man's lie or are you concerned 103 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: that you're getting ready to repeat what you went through before. Well, 104 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 1: our first companion is that I didn't get the opportunity, 105 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 1: didn't say yes or no. And I'm also I do 106 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: have a concern about him. Him may not being honest 107 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 1: going forward. Okay, so leave him, tell him you're done. 108 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: He lied and you're done. I'm done, I'm out. Go ahead. 109 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 1: Do that? Is that something you're willing to do? Yeah, 110 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: I don't want to. Well, but you're willing to end 111 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: this relationship with a man who's proving himself to be supportive, 112 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: a man you obviously get along with, a man you're 113 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: intimate with, a man that you care a lot about, 114 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: and you're looking at something he said to you two 115 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: years ago and holding him and by all means you 116 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 1: should hold him accountable for it. But that could be 117 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: a conversation that doesn't have to be a big deal. 118 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 1: And it just feels to me I could be very 119 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: wrong that your previous experience is bleeding into this experience 120 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 1: that you're looking for and expecting. And what I would 121 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 1: offer is, this is a conversation. It really has trouble 122 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 1: to me that you told me you were divorced when 123 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: you were it and I get it, so you think 124 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,079 Speaker 1: he should see it the way you see it. I said, 125 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 1: I even in my own life, I said I was 126 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 1: divorced before the papers were signed, because I was done. 127 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: I was out, he was gone. I was gone, I 128 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:57,559 Speaker 1: was seeing somebody else. So in my mind, I was divorced. 129 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 1: I didn't even say divorced. I said my bridge is over. 130 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:04,840 Speaker 1: So I'm just asking you to consider that. When he 131 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: said that, it could have been from his frame of 132 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 1: mind and not in intent to deceive. Now, if he 133 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,079 Speaker 1: was not moving forward in his relationship with you, if 134 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:19,840 Speaker 1: he was sneaking around the bushes going back over there, 135 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: that I would say, you have some concerns. I would 136 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: let him know how much that troubled you. I would 137 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 1: let him know that you've been through that in your 138 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 1: previous marriage. And I would let him know, I'm drawing 139 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: my line in the sand. Is there anything else you 140 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 1: need to tell me? Because if I find out later 141 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 1: I'm out. Good. Yes, draw your line in the sand, 142 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 1: but do it from a place of clear, open communication, 143 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: sharing with him how it made you feel, why it 144 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 1: is so troubling to you, and then let him know 145 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: this is a boundary that you creating. And if he 146 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 1: crosses that boundary again. If there's other things you find 147 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 1: out that he didn't tell you accurately, or forgot to 148 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: tell you, or chose not to tell you, that you out. 149 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: I'm out. That's a boundary. Okay, that makes sense. And 150 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: I'm glad because I didn't think about it fully as 151 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: far as what the marriage need to me. And clearly 152 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 1: it's not just a piece of paper. And he said 153 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 1: to me, he did say that in his heart he 154 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 1: was already divorced. Yeah, tell him the importance of truth 155 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 1: speaking for you. Truth speaking is very important. And you 156 00:10:46,120 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 1: were in about adultery, church lady, what about fornication? But 157 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 1: you wanted to be clean fornication, right, you don't want 158 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 1: to be fordication with a married man. Oh, take your 159 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: fornication and be happy. Thank you so much. Help me 160 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: clear clean communication, draw your boundary, communicate that boundary, communicate 161 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 1: the consequence of the boundary, and do not allow your 162 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:36,959 Speaker 1: past to infect your future. Mm hmm. That's a good one. Okay, Okay, alright, 163 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 1: my life you so much. I appreciate your time. It 164 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 1: was an honor. Yeah, and and have fun. Send me 165 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 1: a wedding invitation, all right? Thank you? Have a great 166 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:54,200 Speaker 1: rest of your death. You to my love, Bye bye. 167 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 1: I remember the song there's a thin line between love 168 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 1: and hate, But I also whish someone had made a 169 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 1: song that there's a thin line between the truth and 170 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: a lie. The challenges that what is true for me, 171 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: based on my experience, based on my state of mind, 172 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: based on my perception, may not be true for you. 173 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: And very often we think that the way we hold 174 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: the truth tell the truth as we know it. It's 175 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:34,960 Speaker 1: the same for everybody, and it's not if we don't 176 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 1: ask the right question. If we're not willing to give 177 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: someone the benefit of the doubt and hear their experience 178 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: as the truth for them, that then line between the 179 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 1: truth and a lie can be blurred. And when that happens, 180 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: the result is confusion. And we'll talk about back when 181 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: we come back. Welcome back to the ourt spot. One 182 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: of the hardest things to navigate when you're in relationship 183 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: with someone is how to be in relationship with the 184 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: people they're in relationship with. Not a manage atoire where 185 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,439 Speaker 1: everybody is willing to co operate, you know, but if 186 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: your partner comes with a history, your partner is still 187 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:31,199 Speaker 1: in relationship with people who will end up in your 188 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: relationship not. A real hard work in that situation is 189 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 1: to understand what is my role, what is my level 190 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: of participation in the relationships that my partners in relationship with. 191 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:48,439 Speaker 1: It can be hard to figure out, but it can 192 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:53,000 Speaker 1: be done. And the big thing is your first priority 193 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:57,080 Speaker 1: is your relationship to yourself, and then your relationship with 194 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: your partner and everybody else you get to choose how 195 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 1: to be in relationship with that. My next guest is 196 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: a classic example of how to be a relationship with someone. 197 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 1: Your partner is in relationship with. Good afternoon, beloved, and 198 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: what is the challenge, issue, dilemma that you're bringing to 199 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:23,880 Speaker 1: the table today. We're going to chew on whatever is presented. 200 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 1: I am with a partner. We've been together almost two years. 201 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: I'm thirty, he's forty three. I don't want kids to 202 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 1: never have never changed my mind. He has three and 203 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 1: actually one he's never met, so a total of four 204 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: children from previous relationship. And I just find myself struggling 205 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: with having to deal with not necessarily the kids, but 206 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 1: the fact that there's always going to be another woman present, 207 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 1: the mother. They share something that I will never share 208 00:14:57,600 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: with him. So I just I find myself getting stuck, 209 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: getting jealous, always thinking about it. He has the texture. 210 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: It bothers me. So I'm just trying to figure out 211 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: why I can't just let go of that. Well, maybe 212 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: because you're asking the wrong question. If you don't want children, 213 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: how is it that you've attracted a man who will 214 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 1: bring children into your life? I'm not sure. I mean, 215 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 1: this is someone that I fully want to be with. 216 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 1: I I love the way I'm treated, I love the 217 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:41,760 Speaker 1: partnership we have. But yeah, good question. The children are not. 218 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: I think what bothers me the most. I think it's 219 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: like the connection to another woman who's always going to 220 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: be involved. I don't know if that makes sense. No, 221 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: it makes perfectly good sense. The question is how are 222 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: you defining connection? What I feel is that she, the 223 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: mother of the three girls, still has maybe control, and 224 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 1: I feel like there's this level of controlling my partner, 225 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: perhaps that I don't appreciate. I feel like I'm in 226 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 1: a relationship with not only him, but her behavior also. 227 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 1: But are you in relationship with her? No? Why not? 228 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: Why aren't you in relationship with the mother of children 229 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 1: that will be in your home with their father? Because 230 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: that's a piece of his heart. His children are a 231 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: peace of his heart, and so if you're an intimate 232 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 1: relationship with him, you want to be able to share 233 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,720 Speaker 1: all of his heart. Although you've never been a parent, 234 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: there are some things that parents feel and experience and 235 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 1: go through, and this is your partner. You want to 236 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 1: be able to be the soft place for him to 237 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: fall when his heart is affected in any way. So 238 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:05,399 Speaker 1: my question is why haven't you made the moves to 239 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: develop a relationship with her. It's difficult because she doesn't 240 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: even really give him access to his children very often, 241 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:20,680 Speaker 1: so forming a relationship with her is pretty much unaccessible 242 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 1: at this point. She only texts, she doesn't call, So 243 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 1: why is it an issue if she barely has communication, 244 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: what is this connection that you seem to be so 245 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 1: disturbed about when there is communication or access is totally 246 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 1: controlled by her. I guess what affects me is my 247 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: partner not standing up for himself maybe and letting that 248 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: control happen. He can into a little puppy and becomes 249 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:58,720 Speaker 1: really sad, and really it upsets me to see my 250 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: partner being treated in that way. But I'm also upset 251 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 1: at him because he kind of lets it happen. I 252 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:06,879 Speaker 1: was just going to say, are you open to the 253 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 1: possibility that this has nothing to do with the mother 254 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,199 Speaker 1: or the children, It has to do with a side 255 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:14,800 Speaker 1: that you see in your partner that you're not accepting 256 00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 1: A yes, ma'am. Yeah, okay, so that's the issue. You're 257 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 1: trying to blame the poor children and their mama. No, yeah, yeah, 258 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,639 Speaker 1: And it may be an opportunity for you to have 259 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 1: a different level of conversation with him. Have you shared 260 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:40,200 Speaker 1: with him that it hurts me when I see you 261 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: bow down to this level of abuse and manipulation. Have 262 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:50,919 Speaker 1: you ever shared that with him? Yes, very very much so, 263 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 1: which is kind of why I'm stuck, because I feel 264 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,720 Speaker 1: like that message is not being heard. And how do 265 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 1: you share it? What do you say? Because it's a 266 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: difference between saying why do you let her talk to 267 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 1: you like that? Why do you put her through that? 268 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 1: And saying to him, come here, sweetie, I gotta tell 269 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:13,640 Speaker 1: you how it pains me to see you submit yourself 270 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: to this level, to a level of abuse and manipulation. See, 271 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: I'm a woman, I know how women operate, and maybe 272 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: because your children are involved, you don't recognize that she 273 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:31,680 Speaker 1: is abusing you and manipulating you, and it hurts me. 274 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: And I want us to come up with a plan, 275 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: a process, an approach so that I don't have to 276 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 1: watch this anymore. Have you tried that approach? I? I have, 277 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 1: and there's been a bit of both. There has been 278 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,240 Speaker 1: the like you said at the beginning, how can you 279 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 1: put up with this? I've tried both approaches, But is 280 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 1: response is keeping the peace to continue to have access. 281 00:19:57,320 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 1: So basically, I'm gonna let her abuse with me to 282 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 1: keep the peace. I feel like that's the response I get. 283 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:08,359 Speaker 1: Mm hmmm. We'll talk more about it when we come back. 284 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:20,360 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the art spot. So I don't know, 285 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: as his intimate partner, how you can support him, encourage him, 286 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: invite him to just get to the point where to 287 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:34,160 Speaker 1: save his dignity as a man, Because if he has 288 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 1: a relationship with the children, he does, and when they 289 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 1: are no longer under the authority of their mother, they'll 290 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:47,000 Speaker 1: look for him. They will if he has a relationship 291 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 1: with that. But when he does, when they come, he 292 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: wants to meet them as a man of dignity and honor, 293 00:20:56,280 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 1: not as a broken puppy. So your work, COMMND Arlen, 294 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 1: that's your work. That's your work to be there with him, 295 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:06,760 Speaker 1: to encourage him not to get angry, not to get upset, 296 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:10,400 Speaker 1: not to put your mouth on it or in it, 297 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: but just to constantly share with him, honestly and authentically 298 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:18,160 Speaker 1: what it feels like, it looks like for you, because 299 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:22,720 Speaker 1: if he barely has contact with them now, you know what, 300 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: what does he stand to lose? Exactly? And I've made 301 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:31,720 Speaker 1: that comment also, we barely have access now, and yeah, 302 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:34,000 Speaker 1: there's not much to lose. So why are you so 303 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:39,440 Speaker 1: afraid to stand up for yourself? Wrong question? Why are 304 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 1: you so afraid? Delete that from your consciousness? Never ask 305 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: a man why is he afraid? Okay, that's a bad question. 306 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 1: Don't ask him that he's going to lose his mind. 307 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 1: Another possibility is I love you and it hurts me 308 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 1: to watch you surrender to your dignity and self respect 309 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 1: to someone who's abusing you. How can I support you 310 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 1: in doing this different? And then if that doesn't work, 311 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: create the boundary. You know what I've asked you, I've 312 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 1: offered to support you. I'm willing to support you, and 313 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 1: you seem to enjoy this. It's too hard for me, 314 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:24,120 Speaker 1: so here's my request. I don't want to hear about it. 315 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 1: If you want to continue to do this with her, 316 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: that's fine, that's your choice. I don't want to hear 317 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 1: about it. I tried to do that, but I feel 318 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 1: like that makes me like dismissed his kids in his life. 319 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,360 Speaker 1: And is that like I don't want to hear about them. 320 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 1: You're making that up. No, they're not saying you don't 321 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:46,959 Speaker 1: want to hear about two children. What you're saying is 322 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 1: I don't want to hear about you surrendering your dignity 323 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:56,520 Speaker 1: and self respect to someone that is clearly abusing you. 324 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:58,399 Speaker 1: I don't want to hear about that. Now, if you 325 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:00,919 Speaker 1: want a different approach to this, if you want me 326 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:02,919 Speaker 1: to talk to her, maybe she'll let me have a 327 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: relationship with the children. What you are doing is establishing 328 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 1: a boundary, a boundary. If you don't have a relationship 329 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 1: with the woman, I don't know what your relationship is 330 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:17,879 Speaker 1: like with the children. Then the only relationship that you 331 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 1: can participate in is your relationship with him. And how 332 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:27,240 Speaker 1: he's addressing this is impacting your relationship with him, and 333 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 1: you have a right to speak about that. You're not 334 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: dismissing him. And when you say I feel like I am, 335 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:36,479 Speaker 1: now that's not a feeling, that's a thought. A feeling 336 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:39,000 Speaker 1: is only one word. So I feel bad when I 337 00:23:39,040 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: don't let him talk to me about it. But I'm 338 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 1: willing to feel bad rather than participate in this. Okay. Yeah, 339 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:48,040 Speaker 1: you know he has to invite you into it in 340 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:54,879 Speaker 1: another way. Yeah, and I'm waiting for that. What I 341 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 1: want to encourage you is to rewire this in your 342 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: brain because this isn't about him having children. This is 343 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 1: about an incomplete dysfunctional relationship with the mother of his children. 344 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:09,920 Speaker 1: That's what this is about. This isn't about the children. 345 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 1: Have you ever seen the children? Have they been to 346 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:15,280 Speaker 1: your house? You know who they are? Do they know you? Yes? 347 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: But a handful of time very rare. Okay Again, possibility 348 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: is that he become willing. He hasn't said clear boundaries 349 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:32,240 Speaker 1: with the children's mother. So maybe you help him by 350 00:24:32,280 --> 00:24:36,240 Speaker 1: demonstrating what a clear boundary looks like. And that boundary 351 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:38,800 Speaker 1: is if you're not willing to do this differently, if 352 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:41,639 Speaker 1: you're not willing to allow us to come up with 353 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 1: a way you can approach the and if you are 354 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:47,560 Speaker 1: still willing to allow your self respect and your dignity 355 00:24:47,600 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 1: to be dishonored. I'm not willing to participate in that. 356 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:55,400 Speaker 1: That's the boundary, and what he does is is his business. 357 00:24:55,440 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 1: But you don't have to discuss it. You don't have 358 00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 1: to talk about it when it happen and he goes 359 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:03,200 Speaker 1: into depression. Okay, let me know how long you're gonna 360 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,199 Speaker 1: be depressed about that because you keep doing it the 361 00:25:05,240 --> 00:25:08,119 Speaker 1: same way and now it's interfering with our relationship. You 362 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 1: got twenty four hours. I'll see it in back. Yeah. Yeah, 363 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:17,480 Speaker 1: I know. It sounds like a hard line to draw 364 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 1: in the sand, but it's a line that protects you 365 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,680 Speaker 1: since he's not willing to do it differently. Otherwise it's 366 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:30,320 Speaker 1: gonna happen. Is you just be complaining about this forever 367 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 1: and giving this woman power in your relationship that you 368 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:37,880 Speaker 1: don't even know who she is exactly. I know that's 369 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:41,480 Speaker 1: what is going on, and I wanted to stop. Their 370 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:45,440 Speaker 1: relationship is obviously incomplete. I don't know how he left 371 00:25:45,480 --> 00:25:48,160 Speaker 1: or how they broke up or what happened, but it's incomplete. 372 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:50,680 Speaker 1: But that's none of your business, nor is it any 373 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:52,680 Speaker 1: of my business. So I'm gonna shut my mom yeah, 374 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:56,879 Speaker 1: and we are from a small town, so I this 375 00:25:57,080 --> 00:26:00,560 Speaker 1: is a woman that I actually is from a town 376 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 1: close to where I grew up, so I know her parents. 377 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:06,440 Speaker 1: I don't know her, but there's a lot of knowledge 378 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:08,920 Speaker 1: to her when you're from a small place. So even 379 00:26:08,960 --> 00:26:11,639 Speaker 1: if you don't I don't have a relationship with her, 380 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: I know a lot about her and her family and 381 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,720 Speaker 1: her upbringing. So there's a a bit of a more 382 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:22,080 Speaker 1: knowledge than maybe the average person would have about an 383 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:29,440 Speaker 1: ex spouse. It's called gossip. Get out of the gossip 384 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:32,120 Speaker 1: that a none of your business. Get on the same 385 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:34,840 Speaker 1: side of the table with your partner and invite him 386 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:36,960 Speaker 1: to be on the same side with you. And if 387 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:39,160 Speaker 1: he doesn't want to get on the same side with you, 388 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:42,159 Speaker 1: and if he wants to continue to do this, you 389 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:46,200 Speaker 1: can choose not to participate. So I want to encourage 390 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 1: you to just think about what you've heard me say, 391 00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:53,879 Speaker 1: what we share today, think about this conversation, and remember 392 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 1: you're dealing with his heart. So whatever you do, however 393 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:01,679 Speaker 1: you do it, tread gently, in as hard, but vote 394 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:07,480 Speaker 1: for you, take care of you. Mm hmm, Okay, yeah, 395 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 1: I'm hearing all your objections, but that's Okay, work with it, 396 00:27:13,720 --> 00:27:16,240 Speaker 1: work with it all right, give me a call in 397 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:19,880 Speaker 1: about six weeks and let me know if things have shifted. Okay, 398 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:22,400 Speaker 1: Thank you, my love, Thank you for joining me our 399 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:29,320 Speaker 1: spot today. Thank you very much. Bye bye bye. Everyone 400 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:33,640 Speaker 1: else who may be in this situation, here's my prescription 401 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:39,760 Speaker 1: for you. You must simply honor yourself and your needs. 402 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:44,480 Speaker 1: You can have compassion for the other person or the 403 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:50,520 Speaker 1: other people involved, but the question becomes, how do I 404 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:59,040 Speaker 1: honor myself, my choice, and my commitment. My daughter who 405 00:27:59,080 --> 00:28:02,879 Speaker 1: passed away had one child who basically grew up in 406 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 1: my house because my daughter lived with me until her 407 00:28:07,840 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 1: daughter was six, and she passed away when her daughter 408 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:18,359 Speaker 1: was nine. And her daughter's father was a wonderful child 409 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 1: of God, cleverly disguised as an abusive manipulator. And for 410 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 1: years I allowed myself to be manipulated by him, controlled 411 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,840 Speaker 1: by him, because I was afraid that he would deny 412 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:34,679 Speaker 1: me access to my daughter, until the day that I 413 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:39,760 Speaker 1: made another decision and I said, I am willing, I 414 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:44,479 Speaker 1: am willing to never see my granddaughter again until the 415 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 1: day she can come to me unencumbered by her father. 416 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:50,440 Speaker 1: And I had to work with that. I had to 417 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:53,240 Speaker 1: pray about it. I had to sit with it until 418 00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:56,400 Speaker 1: I got to that point and I told her, I said, 419 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:59,480 Speaker 1: here's what I want you to know. I will never 420 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 1: change my phone number ever. Ever. If you want me 421 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:09,160 Speaker 1: call me, I will be there. But until then I 422 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:12,360 Speaker 1: won't see you because I don't deserve to be treated 423 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:16,239 Speaker 1: poorly and your father treats me poorly. I hope this 424 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:18,520 Speaker 1: has been helpful to someone, and if you have a 425 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:23,360 Speaker 1: question about this or any other relationship issue, you can 426 00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:27,120 Speaker 1: call me live at seven seven five three zero seven 427 00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:30,080 Speaker 1: seven seven six eight. Now be sure to follow me 428 00:29:30,160 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 1: on social media for all of the calling times, and 429 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:42,680 Speaker 1: until then, stay in peace and not pieces. The R 430 00:29:42,760 --> 00:29:46,680 Speaker 1: Spot is a production of Shondaland Audio in partnership with 431 00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:51,560 Speaker 1: I Heart Radio. For more podcasts from Shondaland Audio, visit 432 00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 1: the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you 433 00:29:55,480 --> 00:30:00,320 Speaker 1: listen to your favorite shows.