In shock...

[brownidmom]

Hi, Rikki. Like everyone else said, sorry you are here but it is a good place to be for support.

I completely get the lack of sleep thing and feeling angry. Do you have any family members or friends that you can to sit with the kids for 4 or 5 hours on the days that you just worked the night before? Can you put them in daycare a couple of days a week so you can sleep and run errands? Or, do you have the income to be able to pay someone to clean your house once a week?

AND tell your H that you need some time for yourself. Schedule one day a week where he spends time with the kids so you can get your hair done, see a movie, go to dinner with friends, anything to get you out of the house.

You need your rest and you need some time alone. I am guilty of taking on more than my share and it always ends up backfiring. All I do is end up getting angry about it and picking a fight with my H. Don't try to take on everything yourself. Your family is not just *your* responsibility, it is his too, even if he no longer wants to be with you.

Sit down and figure out some doable changes you can make. If money is an issue and you choose not to ask him to be the one who takes the kids, ask him for money for a sitter or someone to clean your house so you have more time to meet your needs. You don't have to explain it like that, I'm sure you can find an acceptable way of stating the obvious. JUST BE NICE when you do it. No accusations, no challenges.

From someone who hasn't been following my own advice, it will get harder if you don't make the changes now.

BIM