Posted by:
hopefulhusband
(
)
Date: July 22, 2014 03:24PM
Hello all. My wife and I had our fourth child just over 3 months ago. It's been a very rocky road since then. She's a stay at home mother and I'm fortunate enough to have a great job that doesn't demand grueling hours. I take time off for doctor's visits, for family events, and have plenty of time to help out with everything before/after work. She handles the majority of baby-related work, I handle a huge amount of the other children-related workload.
Since the birth of our child, I've stepped up and increased my efforts around the home. From doing dishes, cleaning the house, child-care, entertaining the older kids and giving my wife time off nearly every day....I feel like I'm doing everything I can to lighten the load on her.
Despite my best efforts, she is often sad or very angry. The mood swings can be very dramatic and change very quickly. One evening everything is wonderful and laughter....the next morning is seething, angry looks and a wife bringing up past arguments. When this happens, I listen to her. I let her know I'm sorry she's hurting and ask what I can do to help. When she gives suggestions/demands, I have given them consideration and acted on most of them immediately.
Recently the demands have become more difficult. When I don't immediately meet them, she gets upset, cries frequently, and discusses separation. Yikes.
I am approaching this board for any ideas you may have for me. If anybody has suffered PPD (either as the wife or the husband) please let me know of any advice you would share.
To complicate matters, I became the apostate husband in 2013. From her opinion, without the priesthood I'm a fallen man who doesn't care about her or the family. My actions demonstrating otherwise are meaningless....but I am willing to do anything in my power (not willing to return to church) to help her and to show how much I love my young family.
Any helpful ideas?