I am massively depressed today. We just came back from our trip on Saturday and today is the first "work day" that DH is home. He doesn't go back to work until the last two weeks of August. I may not survive this! UGH!

DH and I have issues. Well, I have lots of issues with him and he blindly ignores them. With him at work I can go about my day, take care of the kids and manage the 3-4 hours a day we have to see each other. Two days a week I don't have to see him at all (if I go to bed early enough) and that works too. To be stuck at home with him for the next 2 months seems like torture.

The kids act differently when he is home as well. Milo LOVES DH but acts up tremendously when he is home. Just constant misbehavior and craziness when DH is here. I hate it. It is like a madhouse and the biggest kid (DH) is in charge.

I have had trouble getting motivated to move the past two days just knowing he is and will be home. I can't stand being around him and the thought of him being here every single day for the next two months just drains me of any energy or motivation to do anything.

Any survival tips or ideas to make this tolerable?

He will still work 2 nights a week, but having only 8 hours away from him in any given week isn't much solace at this point.

How he can't see and feel that we aren't a couple any more or can't palpably feel my complete and utter intolerance of his presence is not normal. He sees no problems. If he does, well he can't do anything about it??? I just don't get it.

I am seeing that I need to do something about the situation but I can't even begin to imagine how that would work with our finances, the kids, etc...

All I can say is you need to tell him how you feel. Nothing will happen unless you make it happen if he feels there is nothing wrong. I would hate to be in that situation. I get annoyed with Randy when we are all home but it's normally petty stuff not relationship issues.

I am so sorry Nicole... I agree with Susan and you need to tell him how you feel.... do you think you could get some counseling or something to try to work on your relationship?

How did you manage on vacation?

I agree with Brandi - you need to get counseling. Even if you go alone it could be helpful.

Well... I have a lot to offer on the subject, much of which won't be useful to you, lol .

What I do think you will find useful, is that this is a great opportunity for some "me" time. Schedule some stuff for them to do for father-kid bonding. You've never said he's a bad father- so with a smile, announce that you need to "get out of the way so they can bond." Go for 2 walks a day, one in the morning, one at night. Do aqua-fitness, join a book club, whatever it is that floats your boat. This will give the kids a break from you (face it, our kids get tired of the same parent all the time too!), and it will get you some time to yourself PLUS away from him.

Give him some honedo jobs around the house. Make a little list, and who cares if it doesn't get done perfectly, as long as it gets done.

Ask him-- isn't there something he would like to do just for him?? He works like 3 jobs, doesn't he? I'm sure he'd love to get out and about with friends or to do a hobby.

I think you can coexist. I hope so anyway, till you can figure out what you want to do.