The straw that broke the camel’s back
A bad relationship can leave you drained, miserable and unhappy; yet many people stick around hoping that things will change. Many people put up with pain, pressure, and all kinds of ills for the benefit of their relationship — they stay for the kids, for the stability, for the finances — until one final straw breaks the camel’s back.
This week we ask readers, what was the last straw for you?
Jenny S, 43:
We were going through a rough patch and he took a woman on a getaway on the weekend of our anniversary because he figured I should not have told him no. That was more than a childish tantrum. That was it! Fifteen years of marriage down the drain.
Stanley H, 38:
I was with my wife for three years and she cheated and didn’t tell me. Whenever I would raise suspicions she would lie. So when I found out what really happened, I cut. I hate dishonesty. And on top of that she was always accusing me of cheating.
Ben J, 35:
The last time was when she again compared me with the last man she had. That was something she was always doing — telling me that her last man never did this or never did that. Well, I told her to go back to her last man then!
Jamie C, 35:
I had a woman who refused to cook and every day she expected me to take home food. So that was the last straw for me — she being damn lazy and thinking my money was there to go to Burger King every day.
Stewart J, 34:
We were together for three years and at first she used to treat my daughter well. But after that it was like she was jealous of my daughter and just stopped caring for her as she used to. That was it for me.
Ann J, 31:
The lies and cheating I could manage to a point, but when I was approached by the other woman I lost my testimony right there and then. I did not kill him as I wanted to, but that was it. I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt like I would lose my sanity, having already lost my happiness. But I knew I was worth more. So I walked away, though I loved him like crazy.
Warren W, 39:
When she called my mother and disrespected her. Then on top of that she threw my clothes outside and wanted to put her hand on me. That was it. Never go back there.
Helen W, 41:
When he wanted me to do freaky things, things I hated the very idea of and would never do.
Tulip S, 44:
He would abuse me physically and emotionally in front of and behind the children for years. But I always said I would stay for their sakes. But the last straw was when he turned his abuse on my son. That day he hit him so hard across his face that the child urinated on himself. That was obviously it for me.
