Sick of My Husband

I have a saying 'Never be mad at the Overtime!'

You don't give many details or examples. You don't say what his job is. Some people just become workaholics. To some people life is all about how much money you have.

What kind of things does he complain about? Pick the one thing that he is always nagging about, that you can do something about, and do it. My husband always complains when the laundry isn't folded and put away the same day its washed. He is especially upitty about underwear and socks. So I now make it a point to sort the clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer. If I have the strength I put them away right the too. I ALWAYS make a point of putting away the socks and underwear. Then when some baskets don't get fully done, he's not grumpy for a few days because he doesn't have to search for the basics.

Its normal to wonder about marrying someone else when you are unhappy. I just keep reminding myself that if I'd taken a different road, I wouldn't have MY kids. I might have kids, but I wouldn't have the 2 I got, and I think they are pretty amazing. Sometimes trying, but overall amazing mini mes.

Two other things to try:
1. Create a budget. Cut back on all of the super frills. By showing hubby that he doesn't have to work quite so hard, you'll slowly get him back.
2. Have a family free day. Go to the park, fly kites, go fishing, take a bike ride. Do things that don't require money.

Good luck
M.

Please get a copy of "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman and read it carefully. He has some great insight into why husbands complain and what can be done about it. Alternatively, please get some help from a professional. It is always better to try to work things out than to break up a marriage!

Is he a gambler?
Or hooked on trading? as in Stocks?

Maybe he is consumed with money, because he is in huge debt/owes a ton... or is addicted to some money "hobby."

Or, working so much, is a diversion.

Dear fellow mamma,

As you can see, the responses you will get to your question are vast and varied (to include a truly inaccurate, unnecessary, inappropriate, and also quite rude jab at the Catholic Church, but that's another story.)

The point is.... you have many choices. Reading your question, it's obvious what your choice is.
You want to stay, and you want to make it work. So I will tell you what many women who have been in your position have done with great success. They have decided to find a way for their husbands to fall in love with them again. He married you for a reason. Find that reason, and grow in the love and care that you give him. Be grateful for him. Turn your negative thoughts about him and the negatives you might say to him... (for example, he's so consumed with work and all he cares about is money. "You work all the time.") to positive thoughts and sayings. (I'm so glad he is so good at providing for us. "Thank you for sacrificing time with us to make sure we are well taken care of.") At first he will wonder what's wrong with you, but if you keep it up, and change your attitude, you will find that he will begin to respond. Maybe only a little at first, but persevere. Somehow, some way, he -- and maybe you-- have forgotten what's important. All you need is a refresher in what love looks like. And because a marriage is give and give, sometimes the wife will have to bear the burden of the husband's failings. Other times, he will bear the burden of your own. This is one of those times where two wrongs don't make a right.
Take the time to love him, honor him, treat him with respect and kindness, and genuinely try to enjoy him and feel positive about him, even though he doesn't deserve it. You'll be amazed at the changes you will see IN HIM when he begins to notice you are a changed person. When it gets hard, imagine yourself in his position. Wouldn't you want him to pull YOU out of a rut in which you were ignoring your family and pursuing the wrong things? Or would you want him to resent you for your wrong doings and abandon you?

Blessings to you and your whole family. The decision to stay is the second biggest decision you make after the decision to get married, because NO marriage ever maintains itself. How could he not change when he sees and remembers what a lovely, wonderful, happy and in love wife he once had?? Not only that, but you are setting a good example for your children when you honor and respect him. They need to know that that is how we should treat people, even if they don't deserve it. They need to learn about forgiveness, and about "taking the first step." They need to know that their daddy is a person, too, with feelings and emotions, with hopes and dreams, and not just a jerk.
You are all in my prayers.

Well ask yourself, "Why is he consumed with money?" "Where does this pressure come from?"

Is it possible there is something going on at work you are not aware of? I am hearing more and more about people freaking out about work, because, business is not great or they have less employees, so they have to pick up the slack. It is stressful to consider "what if" when he is trying to support all of you and he is worried about his work and staying employed.

As my husband has gotten older, he says he is now not the young guy, people always used to ask him for new ideas, Now they get the younger people to come in and brainstorm. It can be very hard to realize, he is not considered "new and shiny" anymore at work.

Did this start when you all had children? When you purchased a house?
Could you get a job and take some of this pressure off of him? Could you downsize? Could you all do without certain expenses?

I have mom friends that live totally different lives than me. They purchase a new car every 4 years. Their kids go to summer camps. They take family trips a couple of times a year every year. Yet the get so angry and frustrated with their husbands, because they work so much and are to tired to do anything at home.. I have suggested maybe they need to pull back on their expenses, so their husbands are not under so much pressure.

We had not purchased a new car in 25 years. Our house is practically falling down around us, but at least it is all paid off.. Now we just have to pay the sky high property taxes. We have not gone a vacation in YEARS.. even then it is not further than 200 miles..

The good news is that when my husband comes home on the weekends. He is actually here. He takes in some extra work, I also have always done some sort of outside work for extras.

The next step is for you to start therapy and then to include your husband. You 2 need to learn to reconnect. It is worth the effort to at least try..

I was a child of divorce and it was terrible, but I was so happy when there was no more fighting and stress in the house. Your children deserve parents that love each other and work towards staying together. Or Parents who have at least really tried, but know that the family would be healthier if the parents divorced.

Never stay together for the children. That is a terrible burden for them to be a part of. They need to be part of a family that loves them, that the parents are each happy and if that means separate, than so be it.

You know what, your story reminds me of another story that I was told. My grandmother used to have the same complaints with my grandfather. What she did, she prayed every night that God may touch his life and that he may be a good husband. Years passed, my grandfather soon realized what a wonderful wife he has. He changed and he is the best husband my grandmother could ever have in her lifetime. :-D Pray, it works. Don't give up. Show him kindness. No heart will ever melt with kindness and genuine affection. Look behind his flaws. Be more sensitive to his needs. I assure, it works.

It sounds like you may have the financial resources to get counseling. Go for yourself if your husband won't do it. You've been muddling along in disappointment for so long, you'll be surprised at what clarity will feel like. And once you achieve the personal changes that can make you feel stronger and happier, there's a good chance that either your marriage will change to keep pace, or you will find a way to leave an arrangement that is incapable of change.

And your children will be better off, either way. You don't want to endlessly model an unhappy wife sticking out a dreary, lifeless marriage for her children. At worst, this will teach them martyrdom and gloom, and they will feel unfairly burdened with guilt.

There's also a process of communication which can make a huge difference in difficult relationships, called Non-Violent Communication. My husband and I have both studied the process, which helps us understand the important difference between authentic needs and feelings (we all have 'em), and the thoughts we have that pass as feelings but keep us trapped in unhealthy patterns. It's some of the best, most empowering work I've ever done in my life, and I highly recommend it.

If this interests you, google the term Non-Violent Communication for many descriptions of the process, examples, a video or two, and sources of books and classes.

Good luck to you.

.

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles, but something I have learned over time that I thought might be worth sharing....

Men often define themselves by what they do. It is often who they are. As women, I think that we play so many roles (even when we do work) that work is only one of many roles---mom, housekeeper, peacemaker, carpool driver, etc. I don't think we define ourselves in the same way that men do.

I know that the economy has made it that much more challenging for men (and women) in the workplace as there are typically less people to do the same amount of work. And then there is the ever present threat---with so many talented people that are now unemployed---the possibility of being replaced can become a constant threat. Your husband may be working with this fear in mind.

I would try to figure out when things changed. If you can understand what might have prompted his behavior change, it may help you to assist him in overcoming this new mode of operation. Counseling can help, but generally better when both of you are invested. If he thinks it has reached the point of "needing counseling" (from your perspective), may be he will recongize the severity.

It is good that he is a strong provider as I have friends where the opposite is true. Best of luck to you.

Many men get caught up in making money because in a way, I suspect, it is where their identity lies and how they gauge their self-worth - "Look how hard I work, look how much money I make, look how I can provide for my family." And some people are just more apt to be complainers than other people. My husband included (he can get very whiny sometimes).

If things have been getting worse in your mind, it seems that you both are stuck in a rut, have let things slide, and are caught in a pattern that could be self-destructive if allowed to continue. My advice? Start talking to your husband. Don't attack him or accuse him of anything, just start talking with him and ask him how he feels about you, about your marriage, about how things are now compared to before. I don't know why you feel you can't talk to family or friends about this, since they may have some useful advice, or at least can help you feel better by giving you the opportunity to vent a little. If communication with your husband is that much of an issue, seek out a marriage counselor. If he won't go, go by yourself.

It may not work for everyone, but I tend to be pretty frank with my husband...as in, "Why do you have to complain about stuff all the time?"

Ever think about what it would be like if your parents stayed together? All the fights, silent dinners, or maybe separate dinners, awkward Christmas', the fake persona they put on for people not in the family. Do you really want that for your kids?? Do you want them to think that, that is what marriage is? Nothing more than a dead end place that you ended up in? Miserable?
You kids deserve more than a dad who could care less about them (that is what I'm getting from your "complains about stuff he should be grateful for" sorry if it's not what you meant). You deserve to have a man that cares about you and not how much green paper he stuffs into a brick building.

AFTER READING YOUR SO WHAT HAPPENED: All I can say is WOW how about the POWER OF PRAYER? Enjoy your make over and have a special weekend with your husband!

Have you thought about getting a job, taking some classes or joining a self-help group?

Is the reason you can't talk with family and friends about your sadness is that you and your husband present a happy front for everyone else, including your children? Do you have a clergy member you could confide in?

Do not relive your parent's "horrible divorce", decide what YOU need to do for yourself and your children, so you don't feel stuck! There's not instant resolution to your situation, but there are other options to you. If your husband won't seek help with you, that's his problem. You need to learn to be good to yourself, take care of yourself, so you will be a happier woman and a better mother.

I will pray for you and your family.

Blessings.....

Why put your kids through you and your husbands problems?

Sorry to sound harsh, but it's pathetic that people stay in a relationship/marriage because of kids. The last thing your children need or want to see/hear is you guys not getting along. It'll have a worse lasting effect on them, then getting a divorce or legal seperation. If I got a dollar or even a penny for everytime I heard 'I'm staying because of my kids', I'd be a millionaire! Yah, it might be tough...but in the long run it might be a hell of a lot easier then the mental stuff you are putting yourself through.

Instead of thinking just about your children, think about YOU and them.

Like I said, I'm sorry for sounding harsh, I don't mean too. I've just heard it over and over and over again, and 5 years down the road a few friends finally got divorced and they said it was the best thing they did for themselves and their kids.

Between both of my parents, I've gone through 7 divorces and 8 marriages. It's not the end of the world.

Well, you gonna have the solution, you are staying. What to do with the way you feel is the problem. First and foremost be thankful he has a job. second sometimes we just have to tuned out the negative stuff. YOU need to focus on YOU, what do you like to do that will bring a postive feeling back into your life so you are not so focused on him. His complaining is just part of his stress and they men and women take it out on the one closes to us. the grass is not always greener on the other side. You married him and loved him at one point, that love is not gone, it's just hidding. Most of the time the women is the backbone to the man and the family. Yet we forget that we are missing something. It not that you are sick of him, you are sick of his ways. You need to get involved in something that makes you find peace, joy and happiness and not another man..lol.. Dance, yoga, the gym, pottery, anything that will let you and you alone go out into the world and just enjoy you time. Write a book, write poems, paint. release your frustration on something eles. When you are happy, he will find it almost intoxicating. Fun and laughter is contiguous.. Find you and the rest will fall into place. Good luck. Remember can turn this around to your advantage. Spend his money too.. lol...

I am encouraged by your update in "SO WHAT HAPPENED". There is hope for both of you. I would strongly recommend both of you watching the movie FIREPROOF and you reading the book LOVE & RESPECT by Dr. Eggerich (I'm certain I spelled the name wrong). You can turn this around but it will start with you. I'm sorry you are having a difficult time but good times can be on the horizon. If you do something different change will come. I'll be praying for you both and your marriage. Stay encouraged, nothing is impossible with God.

I don't know your husband so maybe I am wrong but people show love in many different ways, and sometimes those ways can change, specially after something big happens, like having kids, getting ill, losing a job etc.
For many people (not only men) working hard and supporting the house is their way to say "I love you" of course for people that are more verbal or touchy (phsical?) it can be enough for what their needs are.
My husband works a lot, I barely get time to see him, we some times have small arguments about this.
We went throw very hard times where we lost everything. We both kind of got traumatized for this and we both need him to work hard, still some days I feel like you.
One day I was really mad because I felt so loonly and I look at him coming and going like nothing, we got into a fight. Short story, he drop in tears (it broke my heart and I am actually crying just to remember) he told me he was so stressed that many nights he can sleep, he is scare if he stops and something happen our kids wouldn't don't have food. He also told me that he wanted to be a lawyer, but he kind of got pushed to be a computer guy and that he was working in something he didn't even liked. He tried to start school again but he had to give up again because of what happen.
I see things different now and so does him.
If you could, I would want you to take your husband away for a weekend to talk, to share your feelings. I also would love if you can have a ritual every week, maybe something small but just something that remind you love each other.
My husband and I air kiss, I don't even remember how it happen but for many years we air kiss and we know everything is ok, like if we were fighting and he air kiss me and I did air kiss me he knows we will be ok, we could just say I love you, but for some reason that means the same....also when I don't air kiss him he knows something is wrong even without me telling him something bad.
maybe also go out once a week, even for an hour, we go out every Friday to the movies, we don't realy even talk about family in our way, we just enjoy the movie and then talk how much it suck, lol.
I hope you find your spark again and you guys can make it work.

If you're not happy in your marriage, you and your kids will be better in the long run. It's very admirable of u to think of your kids and what a divorce would do to them, but do u really want to spend the rest of your life like this..? Have u considered counseling...? Or just be blunt with him. Maybe he doesn't even realize how serious u are about all this. But dint stay in an unhappy marriage just for the kids... Nobody wins there... {{{hugs}}}

Counseling.

Communication skills.

Hang in there and work to make it better. You can do this!

I'm really sorry you're going through this, it sounds like you're having a rough time. I think we all have days where we imagine what it would have been like to have married someone else :) but I disagree with previous posters that divorce is the answer. I also don't think it's as simple as telling you you should stay together for your kids. Instead think of it this way: one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to show them how to persevere when things are tough. That is a true sign of integrity. Divorce is very serious as you know from your experience with your parents. You should not have been raised in a loveless household, but nor should you have been raised in a broken one. It's a beautiful lesson of love to work on your marriage for yourselves and the benefit of your family as a whole.

Imagine how you will feel about yourself if you and your husband can get through this. It would be a huge accomplishment, and possible one of your greatest. Try to step back and view yourself from your children's eyes, think of what they will see and learn if you and your husband work through this and build a stronger marriage - and how they will appreciate and respect you and your family for it.

Best of luck, you can do it.

Hello, why not try to go out on a dinner date or something, or a movie if you have a sitter.
He's obviously stressing out. What line of work is he in? If he's in finance, than yes it's tough. My BIL was in it for a while, sister hardly saw him. He thought about money a lot too, and basically to try to keep up with the bosses demands. Don't give up on the marriage that quickly. Something must be bothering him at the job if he comes home irritable.
Good luck to the both of you.

The Five Love Languages has helped us tremendously. It also helps understand children-teens.

Start going out for dates. Just hire a babysitter and tell him "we are going out".

Read the book. It open will open your eyes.

I agree with Marymission since you're saying you don't want a divorce. But I will add, if you improve yourself and work to make the marriage loving and great by holding him up and supporting him as he is, and he's still being a total a-hole in 5 years. You can walk away and know you did your best and it was never going to get better.

When he says things like, "I'm so sick of paying too many taxes" (or whatever-not sure what wealthy complaints are :) Say things like. "I know, babe, you work so hard, I know how you feel. If it's any consolation, I'm very proud of you for making us so comfortable and we have everything we need, you're amazing and it has really paid off" etc, you get it. Be nice to him and validate him as much as you can. If he's annoyed with you for not keeping house well enough or something, try to do your best and be nice (not easy and you're not trapped if it gets ridiculous).

You're not stuck because of the kids. If you decide to stay, that's YOUR decision, not their responsibility. If you make that decision, decide to make it the best thing to do-as in working hard to improve things even though it's an unfair and heavy burden on you because of his behavior. Try to embrace your choice and be proud of it. Count your blessings. You can always change your mind. Don't resent your choice by being "stuck" or your kids will suffer.

I get what you mean about financial burdens.. they tend to drain on our marriage as well. We also are in a lot of student loan debt and my husband, though he's a college graduate and will soon be starting his masters makes very little money in his professional career. It DOES weigh on ones mind and I think ya'll can persevere... I have two little videos (they are about 3 mins long a piece) that I think you and your hubby can watch together and it can REALLY help you both and change your perspective on things, as well as how to reconnect to each other. I know my hubs and I review the messages when we are having those 'off' times!

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...

I dont understand why ppl feel that just because u have kids then u should stay thats crazy f u stay n mamas not happy then nobodys happy yes the kids will b hurt but they'll get over it n they'll understand cause don't wait till they get older then ask u mama why u didn't leave if you were not happy but thats just my advice but I guess u have to do whats really best for u n f u stay were your not happy then good luck n god BLESS