Absent Husband
I feel lonely in my marriage to my husband. He is a good guy, but so unreliable, inconsistent and inconsiderate. I am continually afraid that he is setting a bad example for our children. He always comes home late from work - we have the same job and I leave on time to head home, take care of the kids and make dinner, while he stays. I have expressed my needs and wants to him very clearly, many times, including wanting him home in the evenings, and he just doesn't care. His mother is an alcoholic and his father is an extreme hoarder so he was neglected much of his childhood. It is such a strain on our relationship when I can't rely on him to be present or do many of the basic tasks to run a household. It makes me feel very alone. I am surviving right now because of multiple anti-anxiety meds, but before I got medications, I was losing my mind. I hate the idea of only being able to tolerate my partner because I am medicated. It makes me sad. But I am not sure what else I can do at this point. I am a fighter through and through, but right now I am just stuck, and don't have much fight left in me. I have no family to talk to. My friends are wonderful but are very busy with their own stuff. Any advice or words of encouragement are greatly appreciated. Thank you friends.
As you probably know, many men (and boys) are socialized to turn off their feelings, engage in avoidance, or otherwise distance themselves, rather than share how they really feel. So their actions, rather than words, tell us how they are feeling inside.
You mention you are surviving on anti-anxiety meds. Can the person who prescribes them refer you to a therapist? I know that sometimes the cost of therapy is prohibitive... 😒 I'm hoping this is a realistic option for you.