Is This Normal to Break down and Cry? Kind of Long and Detailed

I have been known to break down and cry on occasion, so you're not alone! You're under a huge amount of stress right now, between finances, your fiance's work situation, having 2 "new" kids, having been sick, etc. Just do what you can do, and don't work yourself into the ground trying to do everything for everyone.

You may need to sit down with your fiance when you are away from the kids (or when they're in bed) and let him know that you need his help with certain tasks. Be specific about what you want him to do. For instance, tell him that you need him to give the kids a bath when you're making dinner. Or tell him that while you are putting the kids to bed, he needs to wash the dinner dishes. I have learned that my husband has no clue what I want or need from him unless I am very specific. If I just say, "You need to help out more," it makes him defensive. But if I tell him, "While I'm cooking dinner, please help the kids clean up their rooms," then he will do it. You have seen that he will help when you are at a breaking point - I think he just may need some specific instruction before you get to that point.

It sounds like you're on the right track, getting some help with housework. Also something that has helped me tremendously as a working mom, is that I started going to Dream Dinners. It has actually saved me money on my grocery bill, which I did not expect, and most importantly it has made dinner prep go SO much faster. I am much less stressed out around dinner time now. I don't know if you enjoy cooking, but if it's not a task you love to do on weekdays, it's worth checking out Dream Dinners or another dinner prep place.

Hang in there, it sounds like things are going to get a whole lot better for you guys soon.

Dear K.,

I say this with respect and concern. If you were my daughter or sister or best friend, I would say this with love, respect and concern:

You have many red flags going up and I would advise that you take some "alone time" to really think long and hard about your situation before you actually get married.

The children are very young, how long have you been with their father? Where is their mother? Does she take any roll in their lives? How did your fiancé care for his children before you came into the picture?

Your fiancé sounds pretty inconsiderate and immature, so you may wind up picking up and doing for three children instead of two. If he has time for video games, a motor cycle, and two date nights with a limited income and no car of his own, he is depending on your transportation and time and care of his children, extra income, and clearly does not have his priorities in order. This is NOT the basis for a solid and lasting relationship or marriage.

He asked you “if you were up to it?” I ask you “is HE up to it?” What would he do or say if you said, I need some time to myself, to think this relationship and huge responsibility through? Would he understand or say its over?

I am not prone to bursting into tears, but if I were in your situation with all that is on you, I’d probably be crying all the time.

What would he do if you just dropped everything and left? Who would take care of the kids then? It is HIS responsibility to care for those children. They are HIS kids. It sounds like you are being taken advantage of. I'm sorry to sound so harsh, but you have NO baggage. It's out of the kindness of your heart and your motherly instincts that you take care of these kids and because you love your fiance.

I was married for 8 yrs with 3 stepchildren. I know exactly how it is. My ex-husband was very selfish and I should've seen all of the red flags. My priorities are much different today then they were back then. I have a daughter from that marriage and that is the only good that came from it. Unfortunately ,he doesn't play an active role in her life!

Now is your time to think with your head and not your heart. Yes, it is very hard to make the right decision, but you really need to do it now, before you're married and before you have your own children. Is this really the situation you want to be in til death do you part?

I now have been in a relationship with a wonderful man for almost 3 yrs and I too am a "stepmom" (again). He is my friend and my equal partner. I don't tell him what to do. He is not my child, he is my best friend and we respect each other.

Sometimes life lessons are the best teachers, but I just wanted to share my feelings with you. Think about what you are getting in to.

I see a lot of ladies that have seen a lot of tears respond to you. I would like to add a few thoughts. I agree with most of these ladies, I think your fiance needs to work with you to figure out what needs to be done. I think that by him not aknowledging your break downs, that he looks like he does not care. It may be resentment that may break you before you make it to a alter. When you break it all down, it is not the dishes that make you cry or the stress of what you have to do, it is the fact that you don't have support from him. As mothers (your children or not) we get it done. We make it happen and many, not all, men will let us do it. You need to sit down and it needs to be negotiated and he needs to follow through. If not, then you will lose yourself! You will become a dish washing, story telling machine and somewhere under the diapers, you left yourself behind. ......I didn't see that you get out for yourself. Take a walk hit the library, go see a girlfriend. It is easy to leave these things behind and submit to what must be done. Put yourself first, it is not selfish, when you give so much. My mother used to say, "In the airplane, they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then your child, not the other way around" .......Carefull K. you don't pass out. Take care of yourself andgood luck
A.

Sounds like the normal stress of parenting. You sound like a great stepmom. Those kids and that guy are lucky to have you. Keep it up and cry when you feel like it. And don't be surprised if you always end up doing more than the fiance.

K.,

It sounds like you are dealing with a lot. I would suggest getting some of your pre-marital issues out before you get married. If your fiance' is saying hurtful comments like that, it will only get worse when you are married. Go to a therapist and hash out all the differences, frustrations, step-parenting issues etc. Before you get married-- see if it can work. Good luck to you and remember-do whats best for you!

Molly

Hi K.,
I do not have step children, however I have recently adopted two beautiful boys, ages 2 and 4. There is actually a "Post Adoption" just like "Post Pardum" believe me I have had the same feelings! It sounds like the birth mother is signing over her rights so you will be adopting the boys? Don't worry about feeling the way you do, it's normal, your life is changing in so many ways right now that you just need to wait for everything to catch up and find "your new" normal. Everything changes when you add kids to the mix, no matter who you are or where the children come from. Children like to test....constantly....don't take what they say personally. It's OK for mommy to take a time out too! Do one thing a day just for you! I am seeing a therapist which is a GREAT help and GREAT ideas, he had told me that morning sun helps boost the spirits. So I get up an hour earlier than before, just for me, I sit in the back yard with my cup of coffee and watch the sun rise....it helps. But that's me, and what will work for you will be totally different, but take time to figure it out. :)
You are not alone, and crying is normal and OK!!!!
Hope this helps!

Hello K.,
Please think long and hard about getting married. All of those tears and stressful breakdowns you are having right now are not going to go away when you get married. Think about what you are signing up for: raising two little children who are not your own, all by yourself with no support from their real mom, who sounds like trouble and will continue to be a burden and a problem for you, your fiance and the kids all your lives! Plus, take a good look at how your fiance is treating you now. Is he supportive, understanding? Is he a good role model to the kids as to how to treat a wife? He will be your partner for life, you will raise these children yourself. I'm not trying to talk you out of a marriage, I'm just trying to encourage you to give it more thought, ALOT more thought. Do you really want it? Maybe you can tell your fiance you want to get married ONLY when you feel total love and support from him and you feel like you are respected and loved by the little ones. You are so young, don't be in a hurry to get married and take on two babies, with a man who sounds like he really needs a Mom for his kids AND himself! Listen to your instincts, if there are doubts pay attention and deal with all these matters BEFORE the marriage happens. Take care of YOURSELF!! Best wishes, E.

There are so many women I know that have no respect for themselves and don't feel worthy of a respectful and loving partner. I wish you would stand up to this man and put your foot down. You are doing him a favor and these are not your kids, so it behooves me that he declines to help. The only way the kids will treat you with respect is by following the behavior and treatment of your fiance. If they see him dumping on you, they will most definately do the same. Furthermore, do you want them growing up disrespecting women and belittling women.

My husband and I both work 45-60 hours a week, have three small children, cook, clean, do doctors, dentist, shopping, laundry, keep a very tidy and organized house, etc. There is no way I am going to do this on my own, if that were the case I would get a divorce so I would have a real reason to do this on my own. ...and these are both of our kids. These are not your kids and not really your responsibility. Maybe you've made a committment to help him, but that doesn't mean your his slave - he should be doing most of the work - this is his baggage.

Furthermore, if you don't have much money why did you hire a housekeeper. That is the last thing I'd spend my money on. He needs to get of his butt, grow up and help...or get out.

Sorry, I don't mean to be harsh, but seriously I would break down too. I can almost assure you that if you had someone to share the pain (especially who should rightously do so) I don't think you'd feel the pain because you would feel loved and respected rather than like a piece of trash and overworked.

Good luck. Obviously I am a very independent, hard working mother of 3 and I'd never allow this treatment from a man - whether he is the bread winner or not.

You have lots going on here. You have a very new role as parent figure to these young boys and live-in partner to your fiance. It sounds like you have formed a very loving, responsible bond with the boys.

Stress over money is a big place for conflict. There have also been a great amount of recent stress (his separation/divorce from his wife, the accident and the job issues). I will read between the lines to note that perhaps the mother of the children has her own issues and can and will at any time be a huge added stress (signing away rights is not very common and has MANY ramifications for the children who are left). Another guess is that your fiance might have many unresolved issues from this relationship. It seems quick that he entered in this relationship with you following his divorce (I am only going by the age of the youngest to figure this out)

You want things to work out so I ask - what will your relationship look like if it was working out? Does it seem possible that both of you can make the changes needed to have a supportive relationship? You will have to be able to express your needs and know that your needs matter/are important/are valued; he will need to support your needs and hold them with value and act accordingly (and vise-verse). I don't think that having a new job or car will automatically fix the issues - it may relive some of the stress, but not be a fix.

Can this work out?? I always hold hope - but it will not just happen on its own.

Best of luck and take care!