DH has been under an extraordinary amount of pressure the last few weeks. The shop has been crazy busy, and we have had some real PITA customers lately. His insane family just keeps out doing themselves, and I think FIL has lost his mind, and calls and verbally assaults DH several times a day because he is such a miserable bastard. DH is so stressed out, I think it is making him physically ill. He just isn't himself. He is a total basket-case, and I am wearing thin just dealing with him.

He is constantly complaining about not feeling well, but he won't put anything off, but himself. We even skipped taking the trip we had planned for our 10 year anniversary because "he is too busy."

Last week we had free box tickets to a Pittsburgh Pirates game. 2 hours before we were supposed to leave, and after I had arranged a babysitter, he said "he was too busy." so we didn't go.

School starts in 9 days, we never took a vacation, or even just took the boys camping for a weekend all summer.

Today, my Dad offered us 4 really good seats to tomorrows Pirates game. I called DH at work to tell him, and he totally spazed out. OMG! Like the world would come to an end if he took one F-ing day off to take the kids to a ball game!

I finally told him that I have no control over his crazy family, or crazy customers and I really did not appreciate him bitching me out because I called to see if he wants to go the game - if he needed to scream at someone call his crazy father - I am not going to take it. If he is to god damned busy to go with us to a ball game on a Sunday afternoon, then we will go without him.

I understand he is stressed out, but there comes a point where HE has to say enough is enough.

Your DD and mine sound like they have a lot in common! I think all men worry when they have a little one on the way - about being a god dad, provider, etc.  Then throw in the whole self-employed stress on top, and it is hard for them to let go of the worry and stress long enough to enjoy the moment.

I was pregnant with our 8 year old when we moved in this "total fixer up" DS would panic if I tried to paint a wall or do anything! So, I can relate to a lot of what you are going through!

BTW - my threat worked! On Sunday, DS took the day off and took me & the boys to the Pirates game. Even though the Pirates sucked, it was still a great family outing. After the game, we walked the boys down to where Pittsburgh's 3 Rivers converge and they got to see a great view of the big city that is so close but we so rarely visit!