i spent all of my first 16 years listening to and seeing my parents fight. not a day went by without a big blowup. i laid in bed, at 5 a.m., and listened to one or the other one say, "if it wasn't for Pat, i'd leave you"......

and then i stayed with an alcoholic for 13 years.....BUT, we never, ever fought in front of the girls. at least i learned something from my parents.

then i re-married and should have left him at about the 8 year mark. stayed til the 16th one though and didn't have a shred of self-esteem or confidence left in me.......

it's a hard one to advise you on.....so, i'll just share what i've been through. and i'd rather be poor and happy. (and i understand that my last one's younger (26 years) wife is starting to give him trouble. who would have thunk it?)