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Advice Wanted Marriage advice needed, Divorce or reconcile

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kevyeoh
post Dec 9 2024, 03:56 PM

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seriously imho, it has nothing to do with the dog.
I think your wife is not really ready to become a mom. Because you can have a dog and have a kid together as well. Try go check out lots of videos in Youtube where a couple with existing dog welcome a child and the dog even become good buddy of the child and very protective of the child too. (maybe you can consider showing such video to your wife too)...
but take a way the dog or put aside the dog, i think without the dog too your wife most likely will give you the same answer that she's not ready to become a mom...

Taking care of a child is way way way way way more complicated and harder than taking care of a dog... i'm speaking from my own experience...i have dog...i also have kids... cool2.gif
good luck buddy...

on a separate note....you love your wife and you made a vow to marry her... just because she don't want to have kids you want to divorce her? you love your wife or you love kids? again, just my own opinion, I love my wife first and whatever after that, both should discuss and come to mutual agreement together. In this case, if my wife is not ready to have kids, i shall stick with her decision as well until she is ready...even if it means there is a possibility we won't have kids...


QUOTE(pkn_jet @ Dec 6 2024, 10:01 AM)
So I have been married to my partner where we know each other for 10 years (married for 2 years quite recently).  Along these years, we are just a happily ever after couple but our relationship/bonding changed after my wife decided to have a dog (thanks to MCO) and this was an impulse decision - we did not discuss what and how if we were to have a pet. 

After the pet came, our marriage life change drastically where my wife will put all the time and effort to the dog (treating it as if like is her own kid).  We have been discussing and i stressed that i want to have kid, but she would not be able to commit.  We have been petting the dog for 3 years now and our daily routine is nothing but all about the dog now. Wherever I plan to go (like a short trip or so), she will be worried for her dog, as you know in MY not everywhere is pet friendly place. 

I'm not a pet person and i do not enjoy walking the dog in the park, pet cafe hopping, pet gathering etc.  I'm in my late 30s now and i do not want to carry on with this lifestyle for the next 10 years (assume the dog can live for another 10 years).  I have a good career and ultimately i want to have a family but not with the dog.

After all these, i have been thinking for a divorce.  We have been discussing/deep talk this few times and did not managed to come a conclusion (she will not let go of her pet/and I'm not willing to go on for my remainder of my life with the dog).  If i were to compromise and accept the dog as a family, i will not be happy and it will not be marriage life i want. 

Additional info - I'm a man with no bad habits, typical house-husband type that does all the housework.  So i do not think my wife attitude change cos of some bad from me. Just FYI. 

Please my friend, your two cents of advice would be very much helpful to me.

TLDR:
Both married with no kids
Wife have a pet dog but husband dont like
Husband want to have kids but wife not able to commit
Divorce??
Reconcile??
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TSpkn_jet
post Dec 9 2024, 08:14 PM

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QUOTE(nihility @ Dec 9 2024, 11:14 AM)
The info "Additional info - I'm a man with no bad habits, typical house-husband type that does all the housework. So i do not think my wife attitude change cos of some bad from me. Just FYI."

The last 10 years knowing each another, did the two (2) of you go into any major fight(s) or argument(s) before the marriage?

There are 2 types of fights, namely:-

1)Positive fight / argument, both of you will find a middle ground to compromise / move forward.
2)Negative fight/ argument, always 1 side gave in & the other side never compromise / the issue left suspended without any solution.

The fight, the couple should treat is as the limit "chart" of their partner. It is just like a Hooke's Law for the spring elasticity, you can stretch the spring within the limit of elasticity without damaging the spring. The distortion of the spring will always go back to its original form. However, when the elasticity limit is breached (point of deformation), the spring will never ever be able to return to its original state. 

It is human nature to push this limits, we always try to test the limit of the tolerance of our partner. The fight in relationship is the indication when the relationship's limit is being approached. When the fight occurs, if the couple reacts positively, something need to be done to avoid the spring from going into "failure point". If nothing is being done, the failure point will be certainly be breached.

Has any form of fight(s) take place before ? Or did you hide your protest(s) under the carpet / never let her know your limits of tolerance all these while? Is this your first time going into major disagreement / fight ?
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QUOTE(kevyeoh @ Dec 9 2024, 03:56 PM)
seriously imho, it has nothing to do with the dog.
I think your wife is not really ready to become a mom. Because you can have a dog and have a kid together as well. Try go check out lots of videos in Youtube where a couple with existing dog welcome a child and the dog even become good buddy of the child and very protective of the child too. (maybe you can consider showing such video to your wife too)...
but take a way the dog or put aside the dog, i think without the dog too your wife most likely will give you the same answer that she's not ready to become a mom...

Taking care of a child is way way way way way more complicated and harder than taking care of a dog... i'm speaking from my own experience...i have dog...i also have kids...  cool2.gif
good luck buddy...

on a separate note....you love your wife and you made a vow to marry her... just because she don't want to have kids you want to divorce her? you love your wife or you love kids? again, just my own opinion, I love my wife first and whatever after that, both should discuss and come to mutual agreement together. In this case, if my wife is not ready to have kids, i shall stick with her decision as well until she is ready...even if it means there is a possibility we won't have kids...
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I supposed I’ve reached the limit of my tolerance for what has happened now. I appreciate everyone comment here where no children or with children, compromise, etc.

Yes, as a man, I know we should be more rationale in handling this kind of situation. But we are all emotional human being after all. For the matters that we have not been talking for weeks, she does not bother to put in effort to say, hey, maybe we can discuss and I’ll be more “relaxed” in petting the dog, and we prioritize our time together than the dog.

A simple gesture or effort of such would not make me to be so frustrated and I’m willingly to open to sit down and talk over it.

But this not happening, maybe she has the intention to divorce as well?
nihility
post Dec 9 2024, 08:44 PM

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QUOTE(pkn_jet @ Dec 9 2024, 08:14 PM)
I supposed I’ve reached the limit of my tolerance for what has happened now.  I appreciate everyone comment here where no children or with children, compromise, etc.

Yes, as a man, I know we should be more rationale in handling this kind of situation.  But we are all emotional human being after all.  For the matters that we have not been talking for weeks, she does not bother to put in effort to say, hey, maybe we can discuss and I’ll be more “relaxed” in petting the dog, and we prioritize our time together than the dog. 

A simple gesture or effort of such would not make me to be so frustrated and I’m willingly to open to sit down and talk over it. 

But this not happening, maybe she has the intention to divorce as well?
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Just do nothing for now until the condition suitable to talk. See one step, take one step. May you overcome this soon.
InitialB
post Dec 9 2024, 08:49 PM

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Your wife should married the dog, not you.

Giving priority to dog over a good person like you is a red flag.

She is not wife material, rather a spoilt girl by her family.

Divorce her. Men after 40 is gold, women after 40 is just rejected stock
nihility
post Dec 9 2024, 08:54 PM

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QUOTE(kevyeoh @ Dec 9 2024, 03:56 PM)
seriously imho, it has nothing to do with the dog.
I think your wife is not really ready to become a mom. Because you can have a dog and have a kid together as well. Try go check out lots of videos in Youtube where a couple with existing dog welcome a child and the dog even become good buddy of the child and very protective of the child too. (maybe you can consider showing such video to your wife too)...
but take a way the dog or put aside the dog, i think without the dog too your wife most likely will give you the same answer that she's not ready to become a mom...

Taking care of a child is way way way way way more complicated and harder than taking care of a dog... i'm speaking from my own experience...i have dog...i also have kids...  cool2.gif
good luck buddy...

on a separate note....you love your wife and you made a vow to marry her... just because she don't want to have kids you want to divorce her? you love your wife or you love kids? again, just my own opinion, I love my wife first and whatever after that, both should discuss and come to mutual agreement together. In this case, if my wife is not ready to have kids, i shall stick with her decision as well until she is ready...even if it means there is a possibility we won't have kids...
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I gained some hidden profound from your post. Thank you.
Lonelybird
post Dec 9 2024, 09:27 PM

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Given your wife's financial independence and her clear priorities, it's possible that she may not be willing to compromise on her desires.

If you feel that your needs and desires are not being met, and you've exhausted all avenues of communication and compromise, it may be worth considering whether this relationship is sustainable for you.

You deserve to be in a partnership where your needs are respected and valued. Good luck TS
kevyeoh
post Dec 9 2024, 09:53 PM

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on second thought...your wife also should be prioritizing you over the dog...the priority should be clear for her...

QUOTE(pkn_jet @ Dec 9 2024, 08:14 PM)
I supposed I’ve reached the limit of my tolerance for what has happened now.  I appreciate everyone comment here where no children or with children, compromise, etc.

Yes, as a man, I know we should be more rationale in handling this kind of situation.  But we are all emotional human being after all.  For the matters that we have not been talking for weeks, she does not bother to put in effort to say, hey, maybe we can discuss and I’ll be more “relaxed” in petting the dog, and we prioritize our time together than the dog. 

A simple gesture or effort of such would not make me to be so frustrated and I’m willingly to open to sit down and talk over it. 

But this not happening, maybe she has the intention to divorce as well?
*
Takudan
post Dec 10 2024, 12:41 AM

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QUOTE(pkn_jet @ Dec 9 2024, 08:14 PM)
I supposed I’ve reached the limit of my tolerance for what has happened now.

...

A simple gesture or effort of such would not make me to be so frustrated and I’m willingly to open to sit down and talk over it. 

But this not happening, maybe she has the intention to divorce as well?
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How did you tolerate?

You're hoping/expecting gestures/effort from her, have you ever told her that (and your disappointment when not met)?

Not sure if this stereotype applies to you...:
- Asians typically don't say what they think
- men usually don't show their emotions except anger due to societal norm/upbringing.

Some people don't know how to argue effectively, and personally I only learned that in my 30s. For example, I used to yell with anger, say things I don't mean... I learned that from my parents.
At one point, I learned to suppress the anger and toxic words I don't mean because I knew it was hurting the listener (even I was victim of that myself)...
Now I learn how to "be vulnerable" by sharing my thoughts as-is: I tell them why/how I am hurt/upset, and I try to tell the one I argue with too. It's often very effective to people who care because you're allowing them to understand the real you.

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


Anyway, maybe in your perspective you're tired feeling everything inside, but as an outsider listening to your stories, it just feels like divorce is too hasty rn. To quote nihility, it sounded like the arguments were all negative.

At worst case, you can bring up divorce -- NOT because you already decided, but say that the thought came up because <everything you said in this thread so far>, and that you still want to fix things with her if possible. Put your anger aside and let your sadness/disappointment out, it's even ok to cry -- I bet a crying man would melt a cold woman tongue.gif

IF by any chance it backfires majestically -- she is repulsed by your breakdown and/or agreeing with the divorce, then perhaps you're right that she was just waiting for you to end things.
SUSXtreet
post Dec 10 2024, 01:16 AM

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Three years is a long time to feel this way. It sounds like you've tried talking, but the core issue, her commitment to the dog versus having kids, remains unresolved. It's not about the dog itself, it's about the priorities and the lack of shared vision for your future. Have you considered couples counseling? Sometimes a neutral third party can help you both communicate more effectively.
Sunshape
post Dec 10 2024, 02:56 AM

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QUOTE(pkn_jet @ Dec 9 2024, 08:14 PM)
I supposed I’ve reached the limit of my tolerance for what has happened now.  I appreciate everyone comment here where no children or with children, compromise, etc.

Yes, as a man, I know we should be more rationale in handling this kind of situation.  But we are all emotional human being after all.  For the matters that we have not been talking for weeks, she does not bother to put in effort to say, hey, maybe we can discuss and I’ll be more “relaxed” in petting the dog, and we prioritize our time together than the dog. 

A simple gesture or effort of such would not make me to be so frustrated and I’m willingly to open to sit down and talk over it. 

But this not happening, maybe she has the intention to divorce as well?
*
living together but have not been taking for weeks? You do your stuff, she does her stuffs?

Most probably the "feeling" is gone and it looks like no feel already.
youngblood29us
post Dec 10 2024, 03:49 AM

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QUOTE(kevyeoh @ Dec 9 2024, 03:56 PM)
seriously imho, it has nothing to do with the dog.
I think your wife is not really ready to become a mom. Because you can have a dog and have a kid together as well. Try go check out lots of videos in Youtube where a couple with existing dog welcome a child and the dog even become good buddy of the child and very protective of the child too. (maybe you can consider showing such video to your wife too)...
but take a way the dog or put aside the dog, i think without the dog too your wife most likely will give you the same answer that she's not ready to become a mom...

Taking care of a child is way way way way way more complicated and harder than taking care of a dog... i'm speaking from my own experience...i have dog...i also have kids...  cool2.gif
good luck buddy...

on a separate note....you love your wife and you made a vow to marry her... just because she don't want to have kids you want to divorce her? you love your wife or you love kids? again, just my own opinion, I love my wife first and whatever after that, both should discuss and come to mutual agreement together. In this case, if my wife is not ready to have kids, i shall stick with her decision as well until she is ready...even if it means there is a possibility we won't have kids...
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THIS

dog is not an issue here..think shes not ready/ dont want to be a mum..
having kids aside, hows your relationship with her? do you feel any love from her? how do you treat the dog? if cold, would have been a major turn off for her..hence not wanting to have a kid with you..there is a real difference when you see/treat a dog as a dog vs treating a dog like a family..big difference..my wife is a dog lover and i know..if i would have seen a dog just like a dog, my marriage would not have lasted..it is important to love what she loves esp when it comes to animals..

if no love from her, better to divorce and move on..or else start treating her dog like a kid, she will slowly fall for your charm and be ready to give you a kid biggrin.gif

This post has been edited by youngblood29us: Dec 10 2024, 03:54 AM
footie_ft
post Dec 10 2024, 08:49 AM

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How old is your dog? Try influencing her with video on how dog loves kids, how kids grow up with dogs and etc..... plenty of such video

The dog will need a sibling and someone he/she can grow up and play with....

If it still failed, i guess you already know what you wanted......Good luck
TSpkn_jet
post Dec 10 2024, 09:36 AM

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To all my friend, i valued all the advice and comments given here. Perhaps i will try arrange for a marriage counselor and seek for third party professional advice, hopefully we will be able to reach an outcome.

I supposed the counselling will need to be attend by both me and my partner, right? Sorry for the noob question.
kevyeoh
post Dec 10 2024, 09:40 AM

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good point...if the hubby is treating the dog coldly and hardly giving any attention to the dog... i think possible to turn off the wife to have any thoughts to have kids too....
when you have dog...that dog is really part of the family already actually.... even for my case, i'm the one who wants a dog and my wife don't really care about having a dog, but once we have a dog, she refers herself as mummy when she talks to the dog...lol


QUOTE(youngblood29us @ Dec 10 2024, 03:49 AM)
THIS

dog is not an issue here..think shes not ready/ dont want to be a mum..
having kids aside, hows your relationship with her? do you feel any love from her? how do you treat the dog? if cold, would have been a major turn off for her..hence not wanting to have a kid with you..there is a real difference when you see/treat a dog as a dog vs treating a dog like a family..big difference..my wife is a dog lover and i know..if i would have seen a dog just like a dog, my marriage would not have lasted..it is important to love what she loves esp when it comes to animals..

if no love from her, better to divorce and move on..or else start treating her dog like a kid, she will slowly fall for your charm and be ready to give you a kid biggrin.gif
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contestchris
post Dec 10 2024, 05:31 PM

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QUOTE(nihility @ Dec 6 2024, 10:52 AM)
I'll put forward a very ruthless option.

Raising children has the biological time constraint vs raising a dog (has no biological time constraint)

There should the sequence of priority in life. If the dog(pet) has higher priority than the husband or kids, this kind of woman should be left to spend their life with their dog. Let her remember the divorce in her life is caused by a dog. A simple and straight forward option. There is no need to bring other element into discussion.

After the sequence of priority is correct, raising the children has taken the place, both of you have more leisure of time for the pet(dog) in future, that time it is still not too late let her have the dog again.

Hence, in between the dog & divorce - let the wife decide on the agreed date. If she choose the dog on the dateline, execute the divorce procedure without emotion. If she choose husband & kids over the dog, find the dog a new owner.
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Yes it's quite simple. TS says the dog was 3 years ago and she marriage 2 years ago. You let this go on too long now she probably no respect for your anymore already. And you say you are a househusband? What?
contestchris
post Dec 10 2024, 05:38 PM

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QUOTE(pkn_jet @ Dec 6 2024, 01:55 PM)
She grown in a small happy family, her parents and siblings are all also well connected.  I would say she grown in happy and steady family.

One thing i do not understand is - she never owned a pet (dog) since she was kid and when we were dating for almost 7 years or so, we never thought of owning a pet also.  If you grown with family that have pet dog, i can understand and definitely i will not going into marriage with her, cos im not a pet person.

And when we talked, she said she only realised she loved dog so much after she got one. 

Speechless.
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I mean sorry TS but you make a mistake not being firm here with her. No dog means no dog. It's kinda too late now, any compromise will breed resentment one way or another.
contestchris
post Dec 10 2024, 05:42 PM

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QUOTE(Cubalagi @ Dec 7 2024, 11:25 AM)
Its not too late but u guys should do fertility test (both of u).

Imagine if u divorce for not wanting kids but one or both of you actually hv fertility problems.

Maybe this should be a first step.
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The fertility test is not a requirement and may complicated matters. As it stands, fertility is not an issue. For couples that want a kid, infertility may bring them closer not further away. Unless of course one of them is barren, then different matter.

TS you might want to know if your wife hide any issues with her that she is barren.

rollinginsodeep
post Dec 10 2024, 05:43 PM

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sorry unrelated to marriage specifically, but the dog is what breed?

Is it a useful breed, like German Shepherd, or Border Collie?

Or ultimately useless dog like chihuahua ?
contestchris
post Dec 10 2024, 05:46 PM

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QUOTE(kevyeoh @ Dec 9 2024, 03:56 PM)
seriously imho, it has nothing to do with the dog.
I think your wife is not really ready to become a mom. Because you can have a dog and have a kid together as well. Try go check out lots of videos in Youtube where a couple with existing dog welcome a child and the dog even become good buddy of the child and very protective of the child too. (maybe you can consider showing such video to your wife too)...
but take a way the dog or put aside the dog, i think without the dog too your wife most likely will give you the same answer that she's not ready to become a mom...

Taking care of a child is way way way way way more complicated and harder than taking care of a dog... i'm speaking from my own experience...i have dog...i also have kids...  cool2.gif
good luck buddy...

on a separate note....you love your wife and you made a vow to marry her... just because she don't want to have kids you want to divorce her? you love your wife or you love kids? again, just my own opinion, I love my wife first and whatever after that, both should discuss and come to mutual agreement together. In this case, if my wife is not ready to have kids, i shall stick with her decision as well until she is ready...even if it means there is a possibility we won't have kids...
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That's a lot of nonsense though. Not wanting to have kids, after previously agreeing to it during the courtship phase, is by all means a deal breaker and a relationship ender. Doesn't matter how much you love her.
nihility
post Dec 10 2024, 07:28 PM

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QUOTE(pkn_jet @ Dec 10 2024, 09:36 AM)
To all my friend, i valued all the advice and comments given here.  Perhaps i will try arrange for a marriage counselor and seek for third party professional advice, hopefully we will be able to reach an outcome.

I supposed the counselling will need to be attend by both me and my partner, right? Sorry for the noob question.
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Yes, it need to be attended by both husband & wife from the information I heard. No harm trying out but do have some preparation, in case if your wife are not willing to participate or open up during the session.


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