HM,
You asked me to comment on your previous post, so I picked
this one. Btw, you asked what RB was, it stands for reverse babble. You can read examples of such in my signature link:
So last night WH showed up. He seems to run every other day between H and WH. Last night was totally a WH night.
Orchid: It is important you set the stage of WHO you choose to communicate with. I recall when I would see H morph into the WS (sometimes in mid sentence - <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> ), I would end the convo immediately. Had to. WS' don't have ears. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
He was trying to get out of coming over, to which I replied as sweetly as possible to every excuse. He finally said Fine, I will come over if it makes you happy. I said great see ya soon!
He kept trying to talk about the R, and I kept changing the subject. I need advice on how to talk about the bar job. He wants to talk about it, and I am not sure what to say. Last night he FINALLY said he realizes it isn't a good place for him to be. He is tired of it there, but likes the guy friends and more or less the every night party. BUT I am SO SHOCKED he admitted he knows he needs to leave there, but is worried about money.
Orchid: Why did he try to bring up the R? If the WS is doing so, disengage. If your H is, discuss it as reasonably as possible. If you find yourself getting too emotional, disengage. Your real H would understand.
Doesn't matter his reasons for liking it there, question is about what is your family worth? Dont' debate the small stuff. Stick to 1 point of having him assess the value of his family to him. Do not argue, just bring up the subject, then let him ponder. Don't even wait for an answer. WS' are slow to respond. Could take days or weeks. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />
He also brings up this supposed woman who has his phone # that sends him lovey dovey texts. I told him that was inappropriate. He still claims well I can't control what they send me. I said you had control over giving her your phone number. The odd thing...the name he gave me was the name of our babysitter. I know it isn't her...but it kinda seemed like he could have been making it up and used her name? What are the odds of that?
Orchid: This is babble. Learn to distinguish the difference. Best way to offset babble is to look him square in the eye (or if on the phone, just plainly respond like):
WS: blah....blah...babble, babble, babble....
BS: Oh really... say Ws, if someone were to babble that kind of stuff to you, would you buy that line? I mean it doesn't make sense to me. It does to you?
NOTE: This technique basically gives the WS back their guilt. Your H would understand so your response will leave you hurting less. This is a type of RB. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
He did realize though that those things wouldn't happen if didn't work there, so he is VERY conflicted about that.
He also admitted to being conflicted over OW.
Orchid: Ok, this is good info. Store it. File it away. One day you w/b able to use this info. Do NOT be anxious to throw it in his face. RE: At this point, it is H admitting but the WS is right there ready to pounce. Throw the Ws a curve ball but just hearing the info w/o reacting.
Example:
WS: I am confused.
BS: I can see that. Thanks for letting me know. (then walk away).
The WS needs to see you leave him in his confused state. The WS often baits the BS with these tidbits of reality. If the BS tries to turn this type of interaction into a learning session, the WS bolts.
Be tactical. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
He left the house because He wantd to talk, and I wouldn't. I said OK, I will see ya later in a happy voice, and he wasn't expecting that. Once I said OK, he stopped at the door and just sighed. He said he was tired and wanted to get a divorce. I said I don't do divorce, and will not divorce you. He rolled his eyes at me and with a lovely smile said You are so stubborn!
Orchid: Ok, this was tactical and good. He mumbled about a D but you know that's what WS' do. He wants you t/d the dirty work and you should let him know that while you can't 'control him' (WS' own words thingy), you are NOT ready t/d the D....yet. Stress the YET. The WS also want to control WHEN the BS does things, so the word YET is deadly to them. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Remember this technique.
Ahout 5 inutes after he left, he called to ask if he could sleep on the couch tonight. i said of course you can.
Orchid: Ok, it is a conditional request. He asked politely, you have the option to allow it or not. Do NOT feel guilty if you need to decline if YOU are not feeling safe around a WS. You may find his nice disposition can turn ugly if you refuse him. That is when you will see the real perosn asking was the WS pretending t/b the H. Scary tactic that you need to be able to identify.
Around 9, he was trying to call me, but my phone was busy. I was talking to my friend A. Well, I finally talk to WH and I get "Who were you talking to? Your phone was busy and who was it?" I said I was talking to A, and he got kinda nasty and says I am not stupid. I have to go to work now..bye.
Orchid: Yea.... let the WS wonder. Let your answers be vague. The tactic here is to make him wonder what you and your family are up to. This gives the A less time. LOL!!
When he says stuff like he is not stupid, don't respond. Let him hear his words. I used to just say: Hm....
<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I sent him a text saying I was talking to A, and that I am not seeing anyone. I am married. He says I wish you would find someone and just let me go. I want a divorce.
Again i repeat NO DIVORCE!!!!
Orchid: Lighten up on this one. While you can let him know you can't control him, let him know you are not ready t/d the D.... yet.
Then the attitude changed. He was joking about coming over to the house. He was trying to be cute and say he wasn't coming. Well, I had fallen asleep and didn't get the message. So he called and in a panic said "Did you get my message?? I was joking..I am coming over ok? Don't be mad and I thought you were when you didn't respond" I said it was ok...and went to bed.
He text me later asking if I hated him. He does that A LOT. I said I don't hate you. See ya later.
Orchid: Cute by scaring you? Hm.. not funny. Let him know that. His panic is because he does know it was meant to hurt. Let him know those kind of insensitive jokes are NOT appreciated. This is a boundary you are setting. Do NOT accept or say these types of actions are ok.
He wants to spend the night again tonight. He wants to just play and be happy today. And then try to not have to work at the bar and stay with me!!
Orchid: What do you think you should do? Let him have his way or implement your personal boundaries? After his joking episode, I would bring up the point like;
WS: I want to spend the night again.
BS: Well.... let me think about it and I'll get back to you.
WS: WHAT?!??!?
BS: I will call you later.
WS: When?
BS: Later.
(a few hours later - be reasonable - <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )
BS: Hi, ok I have thought about it and wondered if you do come, will it be to share some of those hurtful jokes like your previous txt msgs?
WS: No.
BS: Will it be to share hurtful info?
Ws: No.
BS: You sure?
WS: Yes.... why are you asking soo many questions. Maybe I don't want to stay.
BS: Ok. Bye.
WS: Wait.... wait.... I need a place to stay.
BS: Well I gotta know the answers to my questions. They are important to me. I do not like people hurting me. Do you?
Ws: No. Ok, I'll try.
BS: No, you either don't hurt me or stay away.
WS: Ok.
******************************
That's my take. In some instances, the WS gives up and stays elsewhere. If this happens, the BS should not be alarmed. Instead you s/b grateful because you probably saved yourself from a night of hurtful convo with a WS.
OH!! I FORGOT A VERY IMPORTANT PART!!! He told me that the night that he and OW got into a huge fight and she called me, it was because she was pushing him to get a divorce, and he doesn't want to. Then when He left her apt, and said he was done, he told her it was so he and I could take things slowly! SHE IS DIGGING HER GRAVE!! I really don't have to work to hard at this do I?
Orchid: He tells you this because he is trying to garnish your sympathy. Do NOT fall for it. This is not as important as you think. Read you post on this point again. He is trying to make the OW take the blame. See? He isn't loyal to anyone. Even the OW. .... and yes, the OW is digging her own grave.... If you play your cards right, you can cause them to continue to LB even without you lifting a figner. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I call it 'LB from afar'. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />