A balanced and loving relationship requires a little bit of give and take. In other words, both sides of the relationship are willing to compromise. If one side of the relationship is unwilling to compromise -- forcing the other to roll over and submit -- the submitting party will eventually grow resentful. This can grow into blowout fights, a loss of communication, and eventually the breakdown of the relationship.
Here are two symptoms of the "my way or the highway" relationship pattern:
You've learned it's not worth arguing about: Even disagreements about what you'll have for dinner or where you'll go to the movies are the source of a potential blowout fight. As such, you've decided it's more comfortable to stay quiet rather than deal with another volatile situation.
The breadwinner always wins: Do arguments get settled with a simple mention from your spouse that he or she is the one bringing home the bacon? This is an unfortunate relationship pattern that is not only unfair but unrealistic. Belittling a spouse into submission through financial superiority a form of emotional abuse. It's also important to remind the belittled spouse that during a divorce process he or she could have an equal claim to the marital estate as the "moneyed" spouse and possibly the right to spousal support.
These are two examples of relationship patterns that result in one spouse always getting his or her way. In these circumstances, it could be that the "highway" is your road to happiness. Through the divorce process, you can put your foot down, assert your voice, and take the steps necessary to achieve a happier life.
