My wife (44) and I (48) have been married for 15 years, together for 19. For 18.5 years, she was the best wife and mother ever. Multiple degrees, white collar woman who stays in great shape, etc. Then Peri showed up and she went crazy. Last year we went to couples counseling just to brush up, I didn't think things were awful....but maybe she did. Peri showed up last year for her.

Last November she got on HRT and I thought she would level out. WTF. Her libido went through the roof, but mine tanked for other reasons. She went and bought a lot of different sex toys and started ignoring me. Then in early June she tells me that she might want to separate unless I let her open the marriage.

We have a nice 4 year old house in a great neighborhood. Two daughters 13 and 11 who attend wonderful schools. I work 50-60 hours a week and make pretty good money. I know Im not the most "present" husband, but we never fight or have major arguments. Neither of us can afford the house separately so we risk our kids having to move school districts and leave their friends, all because she wants to be a cougar now. I told her "okay" when she asked to start dating other guys because I was stunned and caught by surprise. I made it clear I was not going to date or screw anybody. She went on a solo trip a few weeks ago several states away to fuck a former colleague who is 15 years younger than her. And now she is going on a second date this weekend with a childhood friend who is single. She bought her own condoms, so I know what will happen.

She has made it clear that she doesn't want a divorce, but that she isn't attracted to me or live me like she once did. She says she has no interest in sharing her life with anybody else. She mentions that she is just tired of sacrificing for everyone else. She constantly brings up past conflicts and says she wants to spread her wings. Spends hours on social media and admits to flirting online and briefly opened a Tinder account.

She says if I can't handle this and need to separate, she understands. But she also knows I don't want to do that to my kids. They love their home and neighborhood. She knows I will just take it like a cuck while she spreads her legs for half the city. My wife is very attractive for her age and she knows it. She could fuck 20 different guys by the end of August if she wanted too. She makes me sleep in a separate room and no longer wears her wedding ring. Says she misses the NRE and thrill of flirting. I make about $30k more than she does, so she knows she will struggle.

So, is she trying to force my hand so she can blame me for a divorce while she shacks up with someone else? Is she just going through a Peri-whore phase that wears off eventually? Im trying to shield my kids from this. Has anybody ever been in a similar spot? Do I just tough it out and hope she snaps out of it (with no STDs) or do I just blow it up, traumatize my kids, suffer financially and hope I can rebuild. Why do women do this?