[chantavanna]

I would really appreciate some thoughts on My life situation right now. For the entire summer, I have been stuck in the house with my two kids. I do not work and my husband will not give me any money. No money for food, gas or other things. My 9 year old son plays computer games all day and my 7 year old daughter watches t.v. all day. When my husband does buy food, it is crap -- hot dogs, lunchmeat, frozen waffles, etc. Needless to say, I am seriously getting more and more depressed. I use to love going places, seeing new things and just being active. I want my son involved in sports and my daughter involved in activities. HELP! What do i do?

[Rohag]

Hello, Chantavanna!

How much is this:

Originally Posted by chantavanna

I have been stuck in the house

due to this?

Originally Posted by chantavanna

my husband will not give me any money

Are you inactive more as a result of having no support from your husband or more as a result of your depression/bipolar? In any event, not having the support of your husband doesn't help the other.

Is there any community support or outreach program in your local area? Have you considered calling (if you are in the USA) United Way/AIRS 2-1-1?

I suspect you will need practical assistance from someone else in order to change what you want to change.

[Gus1234U]

sounds like the classic abusive spouse to me,,,, cut you off from all social contacts, deprive you of any means of self expression, and degrade you into a low status servant. RUN!!

[asia71]

I totally agree with Gus1234u. Get out now. I know its scary at first, but there are many programs to help you out of a situation like this. You will feel so much better when you are on your own. I know you would'nt want your son growing up thinking this is how you treat your spouse, or your daughter to grow up thinking that this is the way a woman is supposed to be treated.

[Winter Moon]

Definitely doesn't sound like a good situation to me.

Have you tried talking to him about it? Explain that you're feeling cooped up in the house, and that you can't really go anywhere without gas money. You want to buy decent food so that your children have a healthy diet, if nothing else. Maybe ask why he doesn't want you leaving the house?

[kaliope]

as others have pointed out, you dont make it clear whether your status is a result of your relationship with your husband. if it is, are your ready to make some changes in that area? if so, contact a domestic abuse shelter for recommendations and support on how to get out of the relationship.

if not, then you need to start looking for what you can do to start making some changes to your lifestyle. instead of letting the children entertain themself electronically, wht can you do together. perhaps get some board games and play those toghter. go for a walk. childrens museum. the library. swimming. the park. do things that will get you out of the house doing things together. think of some craft projects you can do. play video games or watch tv with them. go to the movies.

you have listed things you enjoyed doing inthe past. what is it going to take to start doing those things again? how can you bring those things into your life? set those goals and work toward them.

[likewater]

Yikes! At least you guys could walk to the park? Or something like that? At least while you are working on a bigger solution, that would temporarily get you out and maybe there would be other moms you could chat with there. Can your husband take you shopping with him so you can help make food choices or can you make a list together? Sending positive energy for you and your family.