Now, my parents are divorcing!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2005
Now, my parents are divorcing!
1
Thu, 06-23-2005 - 6:36pm

My mom and step-dad have been married 25 years, and living apart the last 3 years. He has been cheating, partying and having a wonderful old time living single, while keeping my poor mom hanging on! (why she did, I have no clue!) About 2 months ago, she met someone who is sweet, kind and caring. They haven't really been on a date, but they do things with mutual friends. Well my mom decided to file for divorce and has become cold and distant from my step-father (well deserved)

Since Sunday, he hasn't slept or eaten, he won't get off the couch and he has been put on meds for his nerves. He drank him self into alchol (sp) poisioning, he ended up in the hospital in intensive care (he died 3 times on the way to ER) I feel so bad for him. I know he made his bed, and should have to lay in it, but how can we help him except that it's truly over? He is starting therapy soon, but my sisters are on 24/7 suicide watch with him. I want my divorce so I cannot understand him, nor do I know the correct way to help him.
any advise is appreciated

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-19-2005
Fri, 06-24-2005 - 7:08pm
Rach, he obviously wanted his cake and to eat it too.....thinking your mom would be there for him no matter what he did to hurt her. He did this, he made the choice and he has to live with the consequences. He is a grown man and you and your sisters can not babysit him 24/7.
People do not try to commit suicide by drinking too much....they drink too much to get attention...which he has done. Yes, it nearly killed him, but I'm guessing that wasn't his intention at all. There are a lot more effective ways to end your life if that's what your intention really is.
IF someone is serious about suicide, ( which I doubt is true in this case )you can not stop them from doing it...but...you can get them the professional help they need before they can do anything stupid. If he is that depressed, then he needs to be under a doctors care...not to have his step daughter's taking care of him day and night.
Starting therapy soon isn't enough...he needs to be seeing someone NOW.