To think I'll never be happy again ?

[landslidevictory]

I am a single parent with three children of differing needs. All have anxiety and are
Badly affected by their Dad leaving me for another woman and essentially breaking the family, as they see it.
This isn't a pity post... but I'd really appreciate insight, experience or general tips, recommendations for getting out of the funk.

The problem is that I cannot see happiness in the future.

I was always a positive happy go lucky fun loving person but I find that I am angry,
Sad, stressed out of mind.
Dad is useless and not hugely involved but at least he is not here shouting and threatening and moody.

I had such a lovely boyfriend of a year with whom I spent eow . I've had to pull way back in that now as my. Eldest refuses to go to her Dads and needs me to be at home. I find that hard as she hardly
Engages with me but I feel that she just needs me there and there's no room for a man in that scenario at the moment.

He is sad and I am sad but he is hopeful that we will reconnect when life settles down somewhat.
I just can't see an end to this.
AIBU to think I'll never have happiness/ peace of mind again?
Have you any experience of this where you felt that life was throwing one shitstorm after another with no break. How did you cope? Did it improve?

I don't have much personal time anymore so I'm also feeling guilty about the claustrophobic of it all although my boyfriend and I intend to meet once a week for a walk and chat which is something I guess .
Cannot see the wood for the tress at the moment and didn't know where to post .
Thanks for reading if you got this far .

Anyone please???

I don’t have much helpful to add sorry, but might boost. Are your kids getting any support for their problems? I’m sure you will find happiness again, it’s hard to see it in times like this but it will pass, you’ve got 3 great kids and you owe it to them and yourself to keep trying for happiness again. They don’t have much chance at overcoming their sadness and anxiety if you stay angry and sad forever. I hope things improve for you soon OP

Thanks for replying. My three kids are each getting separate therapy and medical intervention.
I expect that there will be some improvement in their circumstances by summer as many issues are school related.
I'm also selfishly sad that my one outlet of pure joy is gone.

So sorry, it must be really hard to see through the shitstorms but there will be light ahead. For now, it may be worth asking MN to move this to Relationships as there's some really supportive posters in there who may be more help.

It’s not selfish at all OP, kids are amazing but we do need our own happiness too and to live for ourselves. Just keep reminding yourself that this period is temporary, and it will pass.

How old is DD? I totally get why you are doing this but should what you want really come so far down the list? Should your contentment and your boyfriend's be brushed aside? I think you need to prioritise yourself in order to move forward and in doing so, you indirectly benefit your children. Is there a compromise you can think of like somewhere else she could happily go while you go to your boyfriend's?