Jekyll or Hyde? On the Fence

Just call me Mrs. Hyde, as in the wife of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  My husband has horrible mood swings and depending on which way he's swingin', I either love him or want to kill him.  Some of the things he says totally floor me with their insensitivity or just plain stupidity. 

In his previous marriage, he thought fighting like guests on a Jerry Springer episode was normal, so if you see a man outside screaming in front of the neighbors, throwing things around, tearing out of the driveway at midnight, yep...that's my husband.

You might wonder why I put up with it. Heck I wonder myself why I do, but this is a third marriage for me so I guess I’m trying to avoid the “three strikes and your OUT” theory.  This marriage is definitely the most challenging.  I moved two states away from family and friends and we have 5 children between the two of us.  Being a stepparent is difficult, especially when two of my own biological kids spend the school year living so far away (out of state with my ex).

Anyway, my husband puts up a great front to everyone outside our home.  He sends me flowers at work; he’s charming, smiles and flirts with my friends and coworkers who all think he’s a handsome DREAM of a husband.  Last year, he contacted my boss and arranged for a day off for an elaborate Valentine’s Day surprise trip…those are on his ‘good days.

On the bad days, watch out!  He’s angry at everything and everyone…he stomps around the house slamming doors, spouting the F-bomb every other word and saying how we are all slobs and he’s the only one who does anything around the house; how no one appreciates him and everything he does; how he’s right and the rest of the world is just wrong or crazy…it's like living with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and I never have any idea who I'm coming home to every day.