DW,
I do understand that where you are currently living, $15.00 an hour is not enough. However, there are less expensive places to live, check them out.
What exactly do you know about your finances? How much equity do you have in your house? Are you on the mortgage or is it him alone? What investments do you have? Does he have an IRA account and how much is in it?
You appear to think in generalities, time to put a pencil to your finances, list your assets, and your liabilities. See where you stand.
Then compute how much you can afford if you make 25.00 an hour, add in the support he will have to pay, and rehabiltation alimony,sale of the house ect, get a handle on your finances. No more sticking your head in the sand.
As for your children, they will mirror you, your behavior, do you really want them to be weak and afraid? I doubt that, but, you are setting the stage for their future behavior, to me, you owe them more than that.