Surviving Separation

[slow_it_down]

Last night my house became somewhat of a tinder box ready for implosion and I'm bracing myself for what will be a challenging weekend.

I have a massive headache and feel completely dehydrated due to little sleep taking care of my newborn S. He's really been an angel though so I couldn't have asked for a happier little guy.

My mil is still staying with us and has been unimaginably helpful, but I can tell that after a week hanging out w/ me and the baby she's going a little stir crazy.

Factor in my H who is also tired and cranky (because he's a workaholic, not from the baby mind you bc I'm the one up w/ him at night), and tension is running pretty high.

My biggest concern this weekend is my kids. Both H and MIL have very little patience for them. They are 6 & 9 and my H has no tolerance for them just being kids.

The kids were at school all week, but last night they could do nothing right in my H's eyes. My H quickly went from happy go lucky to shut down mode when they got home. I asked if everything was ok and he said something about it being the same old thing. Meaning my S9 not being respectful enough or not listening.

I hate feeling like my H doesn't like my children. I hate that he won't put any energy into building a relationship with them. I know kids/step parenting is frustrating but he can't just give up on them because they don't act like adults.

Him dating someone I can deal w/... Him showing this side of himself to me again, I just can't. This may be a deal breaker and despite how far we've come I haven't a clue how to change the dynamic between H and my kids.

I'm not asking for infinite patience with them, I just want him to show some sign that he can like them as they are... Kids that sometimes do things wrong.

So, now I'm stuck trying to figure out how to survive the weekend. H went to work today on his day off so at least he's out of my hair for a bit. MIL is leaving Monday, but on so little sleep I'm hoping I don't accidentally say something I shouldn't if she's really giving my kids a hard time. I did ask H to take her to lunch or to get her out of the house for a break but he's been very selfish at times this week so I'm not holding my breath.

Lord give me the patience to make it to Monday!