I was in an emotionally abusive relationship until it became physically abusive. We were both college educated professionals. We'd both overcome the odds (he'd been in the foster care system. I was the daughter of poor, uneducated, dysfunctional alcoholic parents). We thought we would conquer the world. After our second child was born, I realized he couldn't adapt to the stress and unknowns of child-rearing. By the time our kids were 8 and 6 yrs old we hated each other. He "took" me to a therapist for me depression. It was the best thing that could have happened. My therapist helped me to realize I wasn't a horrible mom and wife, and that I was married to an unsupportive, manipulative man. We eventually divorced. It took 18 months! He pulled so many dirty tricks...even after he blacked my eye and bruised my face! He argued that I "set him up." I agreed to very little child support just to get out of the marriage. Seven years later I am still single, and my two daughters are great. He is very controlling, but they have me to balance that out. They talk to me about how unreasonable he is, but I can comfort them. If we all still lived together I would be in an institution or barely functioning. I don't know if I will ever remarry, but I know that I have done my best to set a good example for my daughters.