Hi There.

Wow. You have guts for stepping back and financially standing still. Staying close to your children is what it’s all about. I did not have that opportunity with the type of work I do. It’s stressful and requires a lot of focus, and ass kissing to stay ahead of the curve. No half ass effort works and that is just the way it is.
Man, your wife sounds like a cure for happiness. A few years ago I made a mistake and listened to one of those GD woman talk in shows. A woman was working full time and her husband had lost his job just as the economy tanked. She tearfully admitted that although he was a very good man she had lost all respect for him because he was not working. Gotta tell ya, I cried! If she were out of work society accepts it and gives her credit for taking care of the house. Like it was her choice all along. Long end short, men are castrated if visited upon by misfortune. I heard the nickle drop…..The deck is stacked.
A freind of my wife admitted to her that she was frustrated that her husband (a very free spirited science teacher) was not focused enough on money. She worked part time to fill in the gaps. So, there you have it! If we worry about money and focus on doing the right things, we are judged as being “absent.” If we lay back and take one day at a time “staying in the present” we are loafers.

A man taking “nature walks?” Using retirement money to make ends meet? I feel your pain.
I could stand in the corner on my head with both hands in my pockets and my wife could care less.
Our son is in a rehab type boarding school and my youngest in private school. $9 K/ month and she saves cats all day long…..The oldest in boarding school turns 18 Thursday. I made it clear (zero emotion) that he is on his own finacially and if she wants all these good things for him (a private college no less) both of them need jobs to make those dreams come true. I’m done. She whipped out her dusty resume this weekend and sent out one (1) package. Too late…..Her MO is sucking me into these dreams with promises to contribute…..Not this time. My son has to pay his first semester of Community College and if he does well, I MIGHT consider helping him for the next if I (in my opinion only) feel he deserves it. No more handouts! Time for the adults to take back control.
They are all (her family and her) are at his boarding school this week for spring break, which is more my spring break. I stayed behind.

In my case my wife will not work and every nickle will go to our lifestyle while she takes care of cats. My only choice it to leave, but my youngest son is just terrific.

Again, I give you credit for putting somewhat of an end to your abuse, but at least your wife works. I wish you the best, and just let your feelings fly.

Warm Regards