This story came from an online discussion.
A woman wrote in to ask for advice. She told her husband to move out because he was getting angry a lot, especially with one of their children. On the day she asked him to leave, something happened which made her think they may not be safe. They still talk about household things.
She told him he must go to classes and fix his anger before returning, but she’s not sure how long that will take. She also hasn’t told him that she isn’t sure if she wants him back. She feels like his years of anger and sadness are now worse than the good years they had before.
His treatment for his mental health hasn’t worked and she doesn’t know if she wants to live with someone who needs lessons to enjoy being with his family. She’s worried that if she tells him she doesn’t want him back, it might put his mental health at risk. They have enough money to afford a small second place.
She asked what she can expect to happen next, saying she doesn’t know what to do.
Now What? replied to her, saying that it must be very hard for her. The writer was told to keep everyone safe and maybe visit thehotline.org. The separation might be the chance he needs to focus on his health. The writer ended by saying the woman should focus on their kids’ safety until she makes future decisions. Only when her husband is clearly better will he be allowed back, she said.
Vocabulary List:
- Treatment (noun): The manner in which someone handles or deals with something.
- Anger (noun): A strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism.
- Sadness (noun): The state of being sad.
- Mental health (noun): A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
- Afford (verb): Have enough money or resources to be able to do something.
- Safety (noun): The condition of being protected from harm or other non-desirable outcomes.
