He's miserable @ home, not attracted to the wife. They have a dysfunctional relationship, she doesn't trust him or allow him to do anything outside of the house during weekends or down-time. He has bent over backwards for her for years, has complied with her every request with no appreciation in return. Like he "owes" her and he's lucky to have her. However he adores his children, the kids would rather spend time with their father because the mother doesn't handle them well at all, constantly overwhelmed when dealing with them. It's obvious by many people standing back and watching that she simply doesn't enjoy being a mother. It's easiest for her to dump the kids off on the father every evening when he's home from work so she can escape away with her girlfriends. As the father thoroughly enjoys this time with his children, he finds it difficult to continue on in a miserable, loveless relationship with a woman who has little interest in being a wife or mother. How does he walk away from this poisonous relationship but still save his kids? It isn't healthy for children to grow up in a home full of animosity between two parents. The example to the children should be that of love and respect between mom & dad.