Originally posted by: fanktlk
Oh grace... My heart breaks to hear about your cousin...
Women and specially mothers tend to be too hard on themselves. We have this notion that we have to manage the home, the kids, work flawlessly and feel guilty when we face conflict.
In as much as your cousin feels bad, in any marriage for it to work or doom two people are responsible. Being in an unhappy marriage would have only adversely affected her son. While she feels the onus to save her marriage lied with her, won't the same be true for her husband. If he has had enough hasn't she gone through the same turmoil.
Like I said in hindsight 20/20 vision... Kids are resilient that way. If she can continue to be happy and love her child and respect the child's father without feeling guilty, the son will come around. Believe me he will never blame her. When she gets into the self deprecating mode is when she would insult herself and her struggles.
I hope your cousin is happy and makes peace with her decision... You can love and respect others only if you love and respect yourself equally.
A special one for your cousin.