Got married too fast, and now I'm concerned! Advice really needed..

You feel that you are doing an far greater share of the household chores than he is doing. And you may well be right about that. You'll need to talk about that. And here are a few rules that will make that talk so much more smooth:


1) Do not accuse. Tell him how YOU feel, not what he should feel or do. Tell him what YOU want. Invite him to join in and solve the problem.

2) Find out how you can distribute the RESPONSIBILITIES more equal between the two of you. Make sure that you understand and accept that the person with the responsibility also have the power to define HOW and WHEN a specific tas is done.

If he takes on the responsibility of cleaning the living room, then you MUST NOT order him around telling him how or when to do it. If you do that you grab the responsibility right back and make him a robot without any responsibility. You are well within your right to complain that the living room is dirty, that is OK, but must make sure that you have actually released yourself from his responsibilities. THIS IS DIFFICULT. Horribly difficult. But it has to be done if you want your life to get better.

Basically, avoid micromanagement. Or even better, avoid management. Make sure that you both manage your own stuff. In that way you do not have to be both master and slave.

This of course does not exclude talking together. Sharing responsibility or discussing things. You should both be open about asking for things, but keeping emotional content out of this work-sharing discussion will help you both a lot.

...

Some people manage to share chores pretty evenly without to much management. This happens when you both have similar thresholds for dirt-tolerance and disorder and both have about the same workload outside of the home. But when one of you feel the need to vacuum twice a day, and the other can't be bothered with vacuuming more than once a week - then it gets more important that you both agree on responsibility. Who has the power of definition for a certain task. And the person who is not in charge must learn to let go.

It is important to realize that once-a-week and twice-a-day are both equally valid vacuuming schemes. The person with the responsibility must be allowed to do the task according to his/her scheme.

If I'm right in understanding this, you are overwhelmed by the amount of work you are doing and don't think your husband is pulling his weight?

You have to talk to him about creating a more equal distribution of household chores and parenting. Don't be accusatory but tell him how you feel and what you need. Discuss what he can do to help you out at home. Let him choose the things he doesn't mind doing.

Communication is important.

"I just need some darn help" <-- You already know what you need ^_^

Simply put, to me it sounds like you have been waiting a long time to get the old affection you guys had together. I don't know much about marriage, kids, or managing a business.. But, I think we're all human and could use a little fun. To me, it gives me a reason to deal with all the overwhelming aspects of life, it's kinda like my man-cave.. Having my girlfriend laugh and smile with me. It just makes me feel good ya know?

Anyways, all you'd have to do for the above is to fill him in. Something like this is encourage because it avoids pointing blame or disregarding the other person :)
"John, I could really use you right now. This week has gotten to me and I just need my husband."

Keep in mind that you start with saying a one-liner to find out if he has the time "right now" - he may have to take care of something immediately important like work. Allowing you to maintain your patience for when he can give you some help. Once he identifies that he's willing to help, tell hiim what you need from him (e.g. "Just a weekend away from everything" or "Remember that date in high school.. something like that babe! I just wanna spend time with you".. etc)

The truth is that you won't always have people around to take care of these duties. And what doesn't kill you does make you stronger. Before I go any further, please keep in mind that if you feel you cannot bear the duty, then do ask for help otherwise it will consume you and hurt the relationship. But if you can struggle through the duty/responsibility, then try to find a way to recharge your spirits without resorting to stupid sh*t like alcohol or drugs. Something positive like art or hiking, or someone like your husband, maybe even a Friday-night with your friends! But over time it will be easier to deal with, especially if you can carry the burden solo and recharge your spirits properly.

~ ArtistBBoy

Well as a woman, you know your deal with it and get through it, but at least you know now what to tell your kids if they think of going down the same path as you when they reach that age, because apart from dealing with it, you have one option, talk to him about it and compramise your situation where he takes on a little more, otherwise your relationship will find strains it don't need, or might not survive, good luck,x

You're a great woman.

Yes, it may have been fast, but your desire to make it work is what deserves to be commended.

It sounds like you and your husband need some time just for the two of you. Is there any way that a family member could watch your stepson for a week and the two of you take a week or so just to yourselves? Maybe take a small trip, do some sightseeing, have some time just dedicated to the two of you and your relationship?

Also, I'd encourage you to read Proverbs 31:10-31. You'll know why when you read it. (I can't post links yet, so just get rid of the spaces in between the periods in the link below)
www . biblegateway . com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31%3A10-31&version=ESV

I would try getting help from the family if they're accessible. Sure, this is his child, but now it's also your child, which means he's part of his and your family. Grandmothers, grandfather's, uncles and aunts (of the child) may be able to help watch the kid and do some housework. You shouldn't have to do all that alone. Granted, that's just how amazing moms are sometimes. Raising several kids while doing housework while working a job and still able to smile through it. Don't look at it too negatively. It may be a lot of stuff, but it's your life. Your children, your family, your world. You can handle it, because it's worth it.

Fack! You got in there fast and now you're no so happy. This is why people say to take your time, get to "know" the person.

Why doesn't the child's mom look after him?

Have you told your husband how you feel? How does he feel? Can you help each other?

You can do it. It can be done. And you will do it! Good luck.

he already and the son. What would he do to take care of him you were in the picture. I'm not saying the kid doesn't deserve your love. but your husband would be had to do SOMETHING to support his kid. w/e that is. tell him to do it now. to help. its aso his child as is the one you're carrying. you're both parents if he's going to sh*t down we then he's being your child. not your childs father

his communication disaster is the first thing you need to work out. its not flowers and mystery you HAVE mystery he wint communicate. you don't need mystery. ou need communication and a concrete plan. you can't hae fun until things are settled . you be the 'adult'. you have to help him help you help each other. he's being pathetic. and you're looking at thins from the wrong angle. settle the chldren and hose affairs. then plan dates.