Feeling Hopeless...

[Dom R]

Wow.. big night for you! I'm going to reply to your other stuff, but a quick mini-reply here to not get things mixed up:

Any ideas on how i can get him to help me with the girls (something on my list) without him being bitter about it and taking it out on them?

Given how volatile your situation is... I think i would recommend that you not even go there. I think that it might be best, if you instead asked him to help with Other things, that in some way helped you deal with the girls better yourself.

if you need time away... I think you would be best off, arranging for babysitting directly, yourself.

Given your current mental state, I think it is likely that, whatever your initial intentions... any attempt by you of bringing up the subject of your girls.. will eventually head down the road of "they're your children too, why dont you spend more time with them, ....".

So... better to just not go there.
At the very most, ask him for money for babysitting(if you need it), but i suggest not asking for his direct involvement in any way there.

Even if he DID choose to follow what you ask in that area... it would build resentment from him. So.. not a good idea, i think.

thank you for always helping me along even when i'm not very good at taking advice...

you're welcome. I just always hope that my advice is actually useful and helpful to the person