Our thanks to Jennifer Bowles!

12. StorkNet Member: Hi Jennifer, I’m four months pregnant and my husband is an alcoholic, a manic depressant, dying from cancer and beaugers disease and other ailments. He has also picked up another new habit, gambling. I have a 4-year-old daughter from a previous marriage who thinks the world of my current husband. I also think the world of him when he is not drinking and takes his medications. He has gone months and years at a time without drinking, so I know he can do it. But now it is so bad he looks like death. There is no physical abuse, but the verbal aggression and emotional abuse including talk of suicide are at an all time high. I have filled for divorce, but of course this week he hasn't drank, has begun to search out counseling and now wants us in his life. I do not believe him, but I love him and want us to be a family again especially with the baby coming along soon. I must say if this baby was not on the way, I would not think twice about leaving him. I do not know how to be a single mom. I'm also showing signs of pre-eclampsia and a tough pregnancy ahead of me. Will I make it on my own?

Jennifer: What an incredible load you have right now. Do you have a good support system? Family or friends who can help you as you work through this and deliver the baby?

It has got to be so difficult when you are feeling this fragile to focus on being strong and centered enough to consider your options. I trust your instincts that are telling you not to trust your husband at this extremely early stage in his attempts at possible recovery. He needs to show you a track record, one that's long enough to show you he is serious and isn't just trying to pull out all the stops to get his family back together. His behavior is to the point where he is self destructive and a slower form of suicide (drinking and not taking his medications). Is he actually in therapy? Is he in rehab for his drinking?

I know it is very frightening to consider life as a single mom. What I'd want you to consider is the emotional toll it takes on you and your children (even your unborn child) to go through this pain. If he gambles you will not even have the financial support which is often what keeps couples together. By giving him firm boundaries and expectations you will see if he is able to follow through on his plans and promises to you. If you don't have a strong, loving support group (either formal or informal) please start cultivating one. Consider going to Alanon (the 12 step program for loved ones of alcoholics). It is free and you will likely find others going through similar circumstances. Trust what your instincts are telling you.

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Questions and Answers (Click on the linked numbers below):

 1.  Husband's temper
 2.  Divorced, did not keep documentation for protection. What should I do?
 3.  I'm getting divorced. Do I tell the judge about my husband's anger? Should my daughter be with him?
 4.  How do I find an Abuse Center in My area?
 5.  How can I help my friend see that she's in a cycle of abuse?
 6.  Thank you, Jennifer
 7.  Is verbal abuse considered domestic violence?
 8.  I've left my husband - why do I feel so sad and guilty?
 9.  I'm being abused but no one can tell.
10. How does domestic abuse affect the children of the marriage?
11. When do you get past the damage?
12. Husband abusive and terminal. I'm pregnant. Can I make it on my own?
13. Therapists and false memories
14. Who do we tell if a child in my son's class is being molested?
15. My children are afraid of their father but he has part custody, what do I do?
16. This relationship is tearing down her self-confidence piece by piece.
17. I got away from the abuse but now my daughter is suffering.
18. Why do so many women end up in abusive relationships?
19. Is yelling verbal abuse?
20. Steps toward recovery?
21. Parents drinking affects the holidays
22. My dad was verbally abusive to me and I now suffer from low self esteem.
23. I can hear the neighbors fighting. What should I do?
24. My ex says no to counseling, but I want my kids to go.
25. Is my boyfriend showing signs of being abusive?
26. How can I prevent visitation rights?
27. Question about one of Jennifer's comments
28. Finding strength and independence
29. I worry so much about my children when they are with him and his new wife.
30. My friend got out of one abusive relationship and into another.
31. Helping my brother with his temper
32. My husband is an alcoholic.
33. My sister is abusing me.
34. My mom was abusive. Will I be too?
35. Abusive husband and a new baby
36. How is past abuse from my deceased husband affecting my 4 1/2 year old?
37. My best friend chose a controlling boyfriend, just like her father. Help me explain to her.
38. My husband intimidates me into sex. Is this abuse?
39. Husband has anxiety and is becoming violent
40. Separated, pregnant and thinking of working things out with abusive husband
41. Question about verbal abuse?
42. Is my boyfriend abusive?
43. Ex-husband and unpaid child support
44. Surviving molestation
45. Our arguing has turned physical now
46. I left my verbally abusive husband
47. Woman realizes she is the abuser
48. Husband's health is making him angry
49. Abuse and chronically ill
50. Abusive relationship and going through divorce proceedings
51. Granddaughter may lose custody
52. Relationship with abusive boyfriend is like obsession
53. Very afraid of abusive, threatening husband
54. Are my boyfriend's actions abusive?
55. I worry that my children will be molested because I was
56. Why do women stay or have a hard time leaving?
57. I need help to get away. What can I do?
58. Elderly parents are abusing each other, alcohol involved.
59. Is my daughter being abused by her stepmom?
60. Do you discuss female domestic violence towards men and children?
61. Friend keeps going back to abusive boyfriend
62. Alcohol problems as teens related to growing up in a violent home?
63. I left my abuser... a message of hope
64. How to help a pregnant friend
65. Resources for domestic violence in the military?
66. Nephew in abusive relationship
67. My husband is too controlling
68. Advice from someone who stayed
69. I left and now I'm confused
70. Thank you, Jennifer
71. My husband mentally abuses me
72. I've taken steps to leave my abusive husband, but am worried about my daughter
73. Abuse in friendships?
74. Why do women oppose mandatory reporting?
75. My husband is frightening me with his anger
76. Am I becoming my father?
77. Love and abuse
78. Boyfriend threatens me
79. Husband wants me to get an abortion, is verbally abusive.
80. My mother-in-law is harrassing us
81. Children verbally abusive like their father
82. Son and daughter-in-law's arguing affecting grandson
83. Should I call my husband on each verbal abuse?
84. My fiancé babysits and I am worried about his temper
85. My friend's child is affected by abuse by father
86. Every time he hits me, he blames me for it, then repents, apologizes and feels bad.
87. Acquaintances from church--the woman is attacking her husband. How can I help?
88. Shelters - how do you find your funds to live on and where to go?
89. My friend appears to have no way out!
90. My husband is in prison and we're divorcing. Visitation rights?
91. If you are in immediate danger