I feel as if I was meant for bigger and better things. I have a so-so marriage, seems more like a business arrangement, my kids do not respect me what so ever. I feel as if I have settled for less than what my life was meant to be and now it is too late. I wouldn't change the fact that I have my wonderful children, that is not what I mean, they are my whole world and always will be. But I do feel like I am very unsatisifed with life right now.

By Eve on Sunday, September 3, 2006 - 12:17 pm:

I sometimes feel that way and it usually means I am not doing anything for myself and taking "me" time. You can't usually change the people around you, but you can change yourself. I would take a class or take up a new hobby. A couple of years ago I took up scrapbooking and I love that it gets me out of the house, it gets me socializing and there are no kids! Or maybe take an exercise class and get those endorphins going. Or volunteer--maybe it will make you feel good to help someone in need. Or else, fake it, 'til you make it. It's never to late to do or be whatever you want!((HUG))

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, September 3, 2006 - 02:26 pm:

I agree with Eve. Life isn't usually something that "happens" to you, except for some disaster. And there aren't very many shoulds in what your life should be. Most of the time you make the choices that make your life what it is.

If your marriage is so-so, what can you do to make it better? If your children aren't respectful, have you let them know in no uncertain terms that you expect respectful behavior from them? If you mean that they don't respect the person you are, rather than referring to their behavior, then maybe you need to think about how can you change the person you are.

If your children are your whole world, then I suggest your world needs expanding. When our children are young, we have to focus mainly on them. But as they grow - and they will - it is time to find other things to focus on. If we allow ourselves to live only for and through our children, then we have no focus to our lives when our children move on and move out -and they will.

In the end, though, for me, the question is - do I respect and like myself? If I don't, then what can I change and am I willing to make the effort to change? If I'm not willing to try to change, then the only person I can point a finger at is me.

By Sandysmom on Sunday, September 3, 2006 - 04:58 pm:

I haven't read the above posts but, I have felt that way before. Lately, I have been cracking down hard on my DD because of her disrespectful behavior. I don't know how old your dks are but definitely demand respect from them. It's hard because you'll feel like such a meanie and you'll have flashbacks from when you were growing up and you swore you wouldn't raise your kids the way your parents raised you. Someone else mentioned on this site a long time ago that they actually cleared out their dks room leaving only a mattress, and their dk had to earn their stuff back. If you don't nip it in the bud now, they may have problems with relationships later on when they grow up. Also, definitely make time for yourself. Even if you have to send the kids to bed early. It's important to you & your family that you be your best. ((((hugs)))) If you need to talk, you can email me at scott dot family 4 at verizon dot net.