Waterloo Region Record

She cheated for years now she wants me back

- ellieadvic­e.com Dear Ellie

Q . I’m the guy, “Devastated,” who wrote you about my girlfriend cheating on me for two-and-a-half years (May 24).

I got back with her. I still don’t fully trust her, but she shows me her phone and ended it with her other (simultaneo­us) boyfriend of three years.

Should I see a therapist with her? Am I making a huge mistake?

She seems open and honest, but I’m very nervous that she’ll lie and cheat on me again.

Should I just move on? I have a terrible feeling. A. Go with your gut feeling. Her years of deceitful double-dealing, promising each a future together, was outrageous.

Trusting her will put you at serious risk of being even more devastated.

See a therapist on your own. Find out why you’d even consider trusting her again.

Can I cut ties with abusive family?

Q. My father would hit me, kick me, pull my hair, and throw things at me. He was also mentally, emotionall­y, and verbally abusive toward me.

He’d lie to me, hide things from me, threaten me with whatever I held dear (my cat).

My stepmother’s also abusive and very controllin­g.

If I didn’t give her HER way, my cellphone, laptop and tablet, were taken for weeks at a time (all had been gifts to me, e.g. on graduating).

She’d monitor my computer activity, and if there was something SHE didn’t like on it, she’d take it away.

My saving grace was my biological mother (who was kept away from me because of my dad’s lies), who helped me distinguis­h the difference between discipline and abuse.

Last year, at 20, I got fed up with all the lies, gas lighting, and secrets, and told my stepmother if she took away any of my belongings again, I’d call the police.

When I later did this, my “dad” and stepmother manipulate­d their way out of trouble, describing me to the police as having “special needs.”

I actually have Asperger Syndrome, and am intelligen­t. I can advocate for myself, but the only barrier is my anxiety issues.

The police told me they’d be back to speak to me, but didn’t return.

I was finally kicked out (I call it “liberation”) last fall so I’m living between my mother and an older sister.

My sister made my Mom pay for me to stay with her and her husband. She’d keep me locked out for hours on end.

She treated me like trash, and now she wants to throw me out, though I have NOWHERE else to go.

She started a major argument saying I put my hands on her and she meant to have me arrested, but I ran to my mother’s place.

She called the police for me, and they told my sister she couldn’t legally throw me out unless she filed a court eviction order against me.

How do I cut ties with family members who lie, manipulate, and abuse me?

A. Your mother’s your best emotional supporter.

Perhaps you and she together can make a plan that helps you continue your education toward a job.

Hopefully she can help you find accommodat­ion which she can afford to cover until you’re working.

Meanwhile, contact an Asperger’s Associatio­n or Society (you’ll find Asperger and related-Autism organizati­ons online).

Some provide informatio­n on local services, including programs such as an adult social group, resources for selfhelp services, and other practical supports.

Your intelligen­ce and skills are currently being directed to very anxietymak­ing situations just to survive. Gaining some independen­ce will make a huge difference.

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