When I married my husband, Alex, I thought I knew him inside out. We had been together for five years, and everything seemed perfect. He’s charming, funny, and was working in a stable job while I was a successful attorney. The only thing he was truly passionate about was having a son.
Alex would often talk about how he envisioned our future together, promising to be a stay-at-home dad so I could continue my career. I believed him, and eventually, we started trying for a baby. After two years, we finally conceived, and Alex was overjoyed.
When our son was born, everything changed. Alex started making excuses and hesitating to take care of the baby. He would say things like, “I think he needs you more than me,” or “Can you change him real quick?” I was exhausted, trying to balance work and motherhood, but I thought he was just adjusting.
One night, Alex casually suggested that I quit my job to take care of the baby full-time. I was shocked and reminded him of his promise to be the stay-at-home parent. He shrugged it off, saying plans change and that I would feel differently once the baby was born.
I realized that he had broken his promise and was trying to shift the responsibility onto me. I told him that if I quit my job, it would be the same day we file for divorce. He was taken aback, and for a moment, he seemed to understand the gravity of his actions.
The conversation sparked a change in Alex. He started taking his responsibilities seriously and became the father he had always promised to be. We hired a part-time nanny, and he took care of the baby, cooked meals, and did night feedings. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real.
Looking back, I realize that his promises were empty words until he was faced with the reality of keeping them. Now, when things get tough, I remind him of my seriousness about divorce, and he grins, knowing he’ll never risk losing our family again.
