I have been married to my husband for 6 years, and we have two beautiful daughters together. I also have 2 boys from a previous marriage. He is a great dad to all of them. However, I married him less than a year after my divorce, not realizing until later that it was a rebound decision on my part, because I didn't want to be a single mom anymore. By the time I realized that, I knew my boys were enamored of him, and I didn't want to pull that rug from under them. Through these years since, I've tried to make the best of it, because I know he loves me and our kids. The last year or so is when I really started to feel like I was leading a double life. On one hand, I was being the kind, loving wife that I knew he deserved, but inside, I started feeling trapped). And I know I did this to myself. I know marriage is hard work and not a fairytale, but I can feel myself slowly breaking down because I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending. It would hurt my kids very badly if we separated. I'm at a loss on what to do and am considering seeing a therapist to try to sort it all out. My biggest fear is a toss up between hurting my kids and a good man, and living the rest of my life being someone I'm not. Can someone please tell me they've been through something similar before and offer words of encouragement?

There are common issues couples have at 6 or 7 years of marriage. Have you considered marriage counseling to try and find some relationship.