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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Ha, I was the second (okay, actually THIRD) wife in this situation. XH likes to start a new family every 10 years.

No, they don’t learn. They act like they do. CH had done years of therapy and knew all the right things to say - took ownership for his failed marriages, acted like a great father, etc.

I don’t know if it’s narcissism, or what, because xH seems like such a nice, great guy. Not in a flashy way, he seems like such a chill and humble man. And he seems to be a good dad. But there’s this weird undercurrent of his kids trying desperately to get his approval, and I know because I felt this strange feeling I needed his approval, too (hence getting married to someone I shouldn’t have). So they all disliked me, but still loved him, and they love our child, which is good.

I don’t know what it is with guys like him. Because he’s absolutely not the stereotype of rich, loud, a-hole, etc. He comes across as a real salt-of-the-earth type. But when you ask for more than bare minimum stuff, he just shuts down and doesn’t respond. It’s bizarre. [/quote]

[b]This is my Dad, right down to the “humble, salt of the earth” vibe.[/b] They do it because they can, and because it’s easier than putting in the work. Honestly. I think that’s really all that it is. I used to think that my dad was this super complicated guy who had these great qualities and kind of a dark side at the same time. Now I realize that he just understands to bail when it gets hard and if you have enough resources, everyone around you will pick up the pieces. He has collected numerous wives and kids, and we all still seek his approval because he holds the cards as the patriarch. And no, it’s not about the money, we all just want to have a connection with our father. He knows this, and it imparts a certain kind of power. He understands not to abuse it, but it never has been and never will be a satisfying, reciprocal relationship.[/quote]

PP. This is so interesting, I really think it's the humble/quiet vibe that threw me off with xH. I was used to the stereotypical "narcissistic" men who make everyone cower in fear, and knew to avoid them. Then along came this sweet, caring, artistic man who seemed so emotionally intelligent. Even though he wasn't even in the same state as his kids, he talked to them nightly and did all the right things - listened, validated, empathized, etc. He really seemed like a great guy who made some mistakes and was trying to do better.

When I later caught him cheating, driving under the influence, stealing money, etc after we had our first child, he never gaslighted me or argued. He'd admit to wrongdoing, act shameful, get in therapy without me even asking. After I caught him cheating the third time in three years, he still didn't try to defend himself or argue. He just quietly packed his things and left, gave me whatever I wanted with assets and custody. It was just SO weird.

Best I can figure is these are extremely avoidant men. They don't fight, they just shut down and then leave. So I think his kids keep the peace because it's the only way they can get that emotional closeness - and his conversations do feel emotionally close, even when you do eventually realize the closeness is just because he can repeat back what you say empathetically, rather than him expressing any real feelings or emotions for you. Like I remember I would ask him what he liked about me, and he couldn't name one thing on his own - he would just repeat back the things he knew I was good at in a caring tone. It's bizarre.

And absolutely yes to people picking up the pieces - his family and even one of his ex-wives will pick up the pieces for him when he screws up. He's also surrounded himself with much older women who see themselves as a surrogate mother and help him out, even buying him cars. Because he always comes across as such a nice guy who is just "going through a hard time". [/quote]

OP here - Jesus, that's one of them! He was bullshitting be at the date about "going through hard time" and so on. [/quote]

PP. Yea, be careful! One of the ways xH got me is he NEVER blamed his ex wives or called them crazy. He acted like he was taking ownership without actually naming specifics, it was things like “we stopped being good for each other”. Later when I talked to his xW, she said no, he was a raging alcoholic and wouldn’t work. [/quote]

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