I have been married less than two years, and I’ve been contemplating leaving for about a year.

I’m just tired of everything, and I no longer have a shred of respect left from my husband. From his lack of parenting his three spawn, to being a playboy and not doing his share of the housework, I’ve become unable to see any of my husband’s good qualities (everybody has some, right?).

We recently celebrated the third anniversary of our meeting. He took Princess16 to the mall tonight because she was “bored,” and he came back with a beautiful anniversary card with all these nice things written in it (to make up for all the money he spent on her, I suppose). I said “thank you,” but I threw it in the trash after he left the room. I don't need a card. I need him to parent his kids and do his share around the house. I have told him many times what I need from him, but he will not parent or pull his weight equally around the house.

(Yes, we tried counseling last summer, but he refused to go back after the therapist basically told him he lets his kids shit on him and run our house.)

I don’t know if I even love him anymore; mostly what I feel is disgust. A part of me must want to save the marriage, though, or I wouldn’t be posting this looking for your advice. I guess I believe that it’s wrong to just walk away from this commitment, although we have no children, property or debt together and it would be easy from a legal standpoint.

Does anyone think it may help if I move out for a while to put some physical distance between us? I feel there is already an enormous emotional distance between us. I thought of staying with a friend for a while, to help me decide if this is how I want to spend the rest of my life. I don't think it is.