Staying for your children is noble. However, staying with someone that teaches your children that "selective" evilness is okay is mental illness.

Empowered Women 101: If they made you an option you will always be an option vs. the person they really wanted. Don't ever settle for someone that makes you go through hell only to stay with you because they don't have the confidence to go get what they really want. Fear will always follow your rules when they know they don't have options that make them stay comfortable. You won't grow real love in this type of a relationship. You will water weeds and call it a garden.

There are many types of marriage relationships and all of them can work, but none is sadder than the one that doesn't represent peace in your heart.

If you have to make a daily choice to be in a relationship then you are married to the past, not the person.