Just a refresher course on what's normal or not
 

For all of us that have lived throught the hell of an alcoholic relationship and started to realize their normal was abuse, lies, manipulation, etc, I found a great blog today on remembering what's normal in a relationship-something most of us did not have. Let's choose this and not the chaos of addiction in a marriage. As we move forward and into better relationships, let's remember what normal and good and healthy is!

We allow ourselves to think this craziness is normal.

We allow ourselves to believe our pain is not justified.

Or somehow we are being overly sensitive.

I am here to remind you, my wonderful friend – what's normal and what's not. If you want a functional relationship with a man – stop accepting dysfunction in your life.

Not Normal:

Verbal and physical abuse (including mistreatment of our children)
Drinking until they pass out
Lying and covering up alcohol or drug use
Criminal behavior
Irresponsible behavior (over spending, not coming home)
Unemployment

It's totally acceptable (and necessary) for you to desire a man who is:

Normal:

Honest
Trustworthy (follows through with his promises)
Makes healthy lifestyle choices
A good friend and role model for others
Provider and contributor to your family
Shows up and calls when he says he will

You are not powerless, you are powerful! You are not crazy and wanting "normal" is not wrong!

Thank you for this, forourgirls. The lying is the big thing for me. Can't even imagine what it would be like to actually trust the person you're married to!

Me neither ^. I had a spouse in the not normal category for so long that I don't know what normal would feel like :) but I sure am ready to find out when that time comes.