"As the kids became able to take care of their basic needs, Ingrid seemed to contract what I call 'Pre-Empty Nest Syndrome.' That means that she anticipated the time where the kids were no longer a major part of her life. She started working on a substitute 'hobby' to take the place of her motherly duties time. The problem was that the hobby she chose was serial adultery.
"One of her friends at work convinced her that she had me over a barrel. She could do anything she wanted without having to get my approval. I would do nothing because I would risk losing the house, have to live in close to poverty level by myself, and I would have contact with my kids limited. Worst of all, Ingrid might try to get another man to try to replace me as father to our children. She knew where I was vulnerable to blackmail.
"After having sex one night, I was told what was going to happen. There was no need for discussion, no need for my view to be expressed. She was determined to have an open marriage -- I was not allowed the same privilege. I was advised by her to consult a lawyer if I doubted her version of my future should we divorce. Although I did not want to believe her, I checked it out. She and her friend were right. I was screwed.
"I love my children more than anything else in the world. After being betrayed by my wife, my relationship with them meant more than ever. I moved my things into the guest bedroom. We never had sex again. The kids and I took over the household chores. Ingrid gradually became a slut that sometimes lived in our house. Her only concession to our feelings was to not bring one of her lovers to our house. She justified her actions to our kids as it being 'her turn' to do what she needed to have a satisfying life. She was 'owed.'
