Hi all--

I've just discovered this site and I'm hoping writing about my feelings will help me sort them out.

I lost my job in June and have been looking for a new one. That in itself is stressful enough. However, my new family situation seems to be making it even more difficult.

During the summer, we have my wife's kids every other week, and they are with their BF every other week. We have them the vast majority of the time otherwise, as my wife is the custodial parent, as it should be in this case.

My stress comes from when the kids are with us. Because I am not working, my wife is forced to take as much business as possible (where in the past she could pick and choose as my income was good enough to carry us). So, she feels awful about not being able to spend much time with them, as she should, and I feel terribly guilty about that.

Adding to it, I can't really do anything constructive in my search as the kids are too young to be left to play independently. They crave our attention as they get little or none from their BF. It is virtually impossible to speak on the phone, let alone go to any interview I might get. I feel frustrated that I can't do a job search full-on, and am starting to blame the kids for the situation I'm in (which is in no way the truth). It's like all the momentum I gain in the week that we don't have them is lost when we do.

I love my wife and stepkids beyond anything that I could possible write or say. I don't want to feel this way.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Advice? It is starting to wear me down and affect my wife.

Thanks.