There is two sides to every story, I try to be reasonable and understand that. I cannot tell if my own stress is causing me to become angry with my boyfriend or if I have every right to be mad.

5 months ago my boyfriend moved in with my kids, my dog and myself. Seems everyone got along. He a actually helped me more then any man has. Carrying my groceries, doing things with me, bathing my kids, feeding animals, making me feel better and understanding my every stress. He would do anything to help me.

Lately, he's been getting very impatient with my kids. I know discipline is something they need and I have never done so he will do time outs, but it seems like any sort of behavior he dislikes they are being punished for or told to knock it off. I mean, its okay to whistle right? I just don't know if my head is telling me this isn't right, or if I'm just inexperienced with discipline. My kids can be VERY naughty. When he sees how upset I am by the way he gets angry with them, he backs off and lays in my room the remainder of the day. Another thing is he physiologically tortures my dogs and I have talked with him time and time again how much it kills me, yet it continues to happen.

I work everyday, all day, except some Saturdays and he stays at my house when he is home from school for a week, two weeks etc. And I come home to him still sleeping or just getting up, and hasn't done a thing to keep up. I clean as soon as I get my kids, the dinner, and get kids and myself ready for bed he will relax normally till dinner is in front of him and then lay down afterward for a bit then he will help me get the kids in bed or keep them in bed while I shower. I feel used for sure.

Lastly he has been going out with his friends on weekends or week night's, and its fine and all, I do get jealous because I never get a break, but what upsets me is that he tells me he will be home no later then 12 or 2am and rolls in drunk at 6? What? Now I know this makes him look bad, and he's not only this bad, we have good days too, but this is what is happening lately. Any advice, better yet any hope? I want to make it work, for the sake of my kids and love for him. I know he doesn't want to leave, he thinks I'm over reacting.

Help!!

How is he making money if he sleeps all day, goes out and drinks with friends? Is he paying his share?

Personally, I agree with you, and I'd be mad too. Have you sat down with him and talked to him, calmly, about how you feel, and how you can no longer tolerate his behavior? Have you considered couples counseling?

I really don't know what to tell you, you have to decide if you can tolerate the way he acts, or if this is a deal breaker for you. I would try counseling with him, and do what you can to make it work, but ultimately it comes down to two things. Is he willing to change, or can you live with things the way they are?

He sounds like he's beginning to burn out. It's no excuse but that's what it sounds like. After doing things over and over again, sometimes it can feel like your soul is being sucked away at which point odd things make you feel better. The psychological torture of the dogs is that and the short temper is the burning out. One thing would be to talk it out. You may perhaps find out he may feel unappreciated and that by figuring out a system of what is expected and what he can do to feel like himself again. If he's unemployed it may also be frustration and cabin fever setting in so either way you need to talk it out. And of fours only you can figure out if he is as I'm suggesting or if he's showing true colors. But you do have a right to be angry but just try to keep a calm head before ripping him a new one

I would ask my kids how they feel about him and tell he needs to stop with coming home drunk and torturing the dogs and yes you have a right to be angry in my opinion

Hi everyone. Thank you for posting. I just want to call your attention to the original date of this post. It was posted a year ago, and the OP (original poster) never came back. Your advice is welcome, but keeping an old thread on the top of the list can take away from the new posts being posted. It's always a good idea to check the date before you reply. :)

Welcome to the site.