Susan's Place Logo

News:

Visit our Discord server  and Wiki

Main Menu

marriage issues...

Started by CarmenCarziela, September 04, 2015, 01:21:48 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

CarmenCarziela

ive been married for the last 3 years and i feel my inability to speak openly has put strain on our marriage, my wife has been supportive before but a short time ago it seems something changed and she didnt seem to be as supportive anymore. she used to say she would still be attracted to me but the subject hasnt come up for a long time. im also worried about our young daughter and what her life would be like if i took that plunge. sorry to have just inserted this here, but id like to hear back from any trans parents with experience in these matters or anyone that has had to deal with coming out to a significant other with limited support.
       thank you for your time, Carmen Carziela 
  •  

Ms Grace

Hi Carmen, this is as good a place to post as any. I've changed the title of your post to hopefully get you more feedback than it would have. :)

I'm sorry to hear you are having these issues, unfortunately significant others and close family can struggle significantly with our decision to transition. Keeping the lines of communication open and maybe discussing with a counsellor might help.
Grace
----------------------------------------------
Transition 1.0 (Julie): HRT 1989-91
Self-denial: 1991-2013
Transition 2.0 (Grace): HRT June 24 2013
Full-time: March 24, 2014 :D
  •  

Dena

I am not married or in a relationship but there are a couple of things to think about. All relationships change over time as people age and both of you aren't the same people you were three years ago. The lack of talking has contributed to this because while transsexualism is foremost in your mind, it may have faded in to the background of your wife's mind and she might prefer it that way. If you decide to take the plunge you will need to start the momentum again and it would be best to keep some forward motion going all the time to keep the idea active in your wife's mind.
Rebirth Date 1982 - PMs are welcome - Use [email]dena@susans.org[/email] or Discord if your unable to PM - Skype is available - My Transition
If you are helped by this site, consider leaving a tip in the jar at the bottom of the page or become a subscriber
  •  

FTMDiaries

Hi Carmen, and welcome! :)

I'd advise you to start talking to your wife as soon as possible: ask her how she's feeling; tell her you've noticed she's been a bit off lately; ask if there's anything wrong. Then if appropriate, tell her what's been on your mind; how serious it's been getting; and what you intend to do about it. Be honest and open, and hope for the best. You never know: she might simply be tired & stressed with juggling her responsibilities. Or it could be that she's noticed how unhappy you are and is worried about your future together. Until you two start talking, you have no way of knowing for sure what's going to happen.

It's encouraging that your wife has previously said she'd support you, but as Dena rightly said people do change and the addition of a child could have changed the way she views things. You said that it seems something changed a short time ago: well, how old is your daughter? Could it be that your wife has become accustomed to living up to society's expectations, i.e. presenting as a stereotypical married heterosexual couple with a child? There's quite a bit of social prestige that comes with that ring & the baby, and you may find she's grown to like it and that she doesn't want her new-found status to be threatened by your marriage becoming more non-traditional. Personally, I sincerely wish I'd transitioned when I was your age, and I regret having wasted too many years whilst struggling with dysphoria in an inappropriate marriage. My coming out marked the end of my marriage but I'm much better off without him.

As for your daughter... I have two of them myself, and I strongly urge you to come out & transition sooner rather than later, if that's your intention. Young children can adjust very well to a parent's transition, but teenagers (including mine) and adults can find it much more difficult to adjust. And plenty of kids are raised successfully in single-sex parent households, including households where a parent has transitioned. Being trans is nothing to be ashamed of, and it isn't harmful to your child. You'll be an even better parent to her once you're happy within your own skin.

One final point: gender dysphoria doesn't get better on its own. If you need to transition but decide to suppress it, it will get stronger over time until it eventually becomes unbearable (as you've noticed over the past 5 years). You do have the option of choosing to go back into the closet in an attempt to save your marriage and make things as stable as possible for your daughter, but take it from someone who's been there: you'll be setting yourself up for many years of pain and torment if you leave your dysphoria untreated. You've already felt it getting worse over 5 years: imagine what it feels like after another 10 years? Or 15? Or 20? And how much more difficult will it be to come out again and transition after all those years have passed? No, if you need to transition, you're much better off ripping off that Band-Aid and doing what you need to do as soon as humanly possible. It's kinder for everyone.





  •  

Laura_7

Here are a few resources that could help you:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,193187.msg1722712.html#msg1722712

also the links there:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,194986.msg1737439.html#msg1737439

I'd also echo that talking might help...
maybe they have preconceived ideas or some images that you could talk about...

some people write a letter, or a text... and show some materials later...

hugs
  •  

Qrachel

Hi Carmen:

I echo the comments here.  It's important to keep the communication active and of course balanced.  Your family will experience some white water too, and giving everyone space to talk is vital.  In all of this be sure to be loving while taking care of yourself.  Acting out or shouldering blame/guilt isn't the place from which kindness and respect come from.  I forgot this occasionally and it still pains me that I did so.

Waiting is an answer, but it has a huge cost and not just on you.  As you struggle with your identity over time it'll only become more difficult for you to be all you want to be as a partner and parent.  Is now the time?  I don't know.  Is waiting better?  I doubt it for any extended period.

Please keep in touch . . .

All the best to you yours,

Rachel
Rachel

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow."
  •  

CarmenCarziela

... ugh... is dysphoria supposed to feeling like drowning? seriously, thank you for the help.. but i guess it is one of those things i can only help myself get through despite my amount of support, though it helps. thank you all. X3
  •  

warlockmaker

I have 4 children from 3.5 years old to 32 years old and been married 3 times. The failures of my marriages are many, and to be honest caused by my actions and inactions. With my first 2 wives I would not broach this subject of being tg, which was my dark secret. My 3rd wife is my great love but we fought bitterly over stupid things and after we seperated for a while I finally told her 2.5 years ago that I had been in therapy and had started HRT. We have a 13 year old daughter and she is the apple of my eye. My third wife Arcadia shocked me with the compassion and empathy she displayed when told of this. We became very close again tho not sexually. But suddenly a few months ago she informed me rather coldly that post GCS (formerly referred here as SRS or GRS) she did not want me around our Villa. Claiming that I had other properties and she neede her space. Initially, I was quite upset and even angry at what I perceived as being a bigot. Since then I have thought alot about this, and realized how it has taken me over 15 years, since I thought I may be a TG, to finally accept ME. She has only had a couple of years and I knew patience and tolerence were needed, as she fell in love with the male me. This patience and non pressure on her has won back that co-operativeness and reignited our love. 
When we first start our journey the perception and moral values all dramatically change in wonderment. As we evolve further it all becomes normal again but the journey has changed us forever.

SRS January 21st,  2558 (Buddhist calander), 2015
  •  

LizK

Everyone here has covered any point I could make but I will encourage you to be brave and talk to her. I have a supportive wife and we have been married for 28 years. This does not make it any easier for her and being mindful of how she is feeling in the beginning will pay off bigtime. It may take a little longer to do everything but I would sooner bring my partner along with me rather than going off solo. He support is invaluable and we are now at the stage where we have discussed my having HRT which is a huge step in my book. The point I make is take your time and give her time and as far as kids go...mine are 22 and 24 and seem to be Ok with everything but scared to see what changes may happen. All very natural reactions  to an abnormal situation. I hope you and your wife are able to work things out and feel free to PM me if you would like to chat privately.

Sarah T

Sarah T
Transition Begun 25 September 2015
HRT since 17 May 2016,
Fulltime from 8 March 2017,
GCS 4 December 2018
Voice Surgery 01 February 2019
  •