‘He’s not like that.’

‘You don’t understand (the way he is).’

‘He doesn’t mean it.’

He just doesn’t understand (about upsetting people).’

‘It’s because he had a difficult childhood.’

‘He’s under a lot of pressure at work.’

‘It’s not him, it’s the alcohol.’

‘It’s my fault really. I provoke him.’

‘Most of the time he’s great.’

‘He just has a problem with….’

‘It’s his mother’s fault. She never taught him to be caring.’

‘He’s a good person really.’

‘He’s a good dad, in his own way.’

‘It will be different this time.’

‘We’re working at it.’

‘He’s said he’s sorry.’

‘If I just ease up a little on him, it’ll be alright.’

‘It’s down to me to make it work.’

‘I just can’t get him to listen to me/see it my way.’

‘It’s better for children to have two parents.’

‘It’s not that bad. At least he doesn’t…’

‘I can’t manage without him.’

‘I have to have a man to be happy.’

‘If I lose him, nobody else is going to want me.’