Guess What? It's Our Own Darn Faults

I hate to admit this, but if we are treated poorly by our husbands, boyfriends, or significant others for an extended period of time, it’s our own darn fault. I don’t mean the occasional bad day or a rough patch in a relationship. I’m talking about ongoing mistreatment.

As women, most of us are concerned with everyone else’s wants, needs, and desires before our own. We often allow the men in our lives to walk all over us. Why? Because we let them.

I am a perfect example of this situation. My ex felt it was perfectly acceptable to breeze in and out of the house at all hours, not come home, spend money on his toys and nights out, and do virtually no housework.

I tried every tactic to get him to actually come home and be responsible. I was nice. I was mean. I nagged. I yelled. I pleaded. I bribed him. To no avail. In the end, the ex thought I would never leave, so he kept behaving abysmally. He didn’t need to change.

He knew I’d be right there at home; cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the house and our son. Eventually, I did leave. But I put up with endless years of pitiful behavior before I actually put my foot down. And that was my own fault.

How can we end this cycle of mistreatment? By learning to respect ourselves. Even if it means we have to end the painful relationship. Breaking up/divorcing is excruciatingly difficult, but I assure you, staying in a bad relationship where you are mistreated and disrespected for years on end is far worse.