Frustration is expecting one thing and getting something different. You've got three great kids. You've got a decent wife and a decent sex life. You could have friends. You could hunt, fish, drink, have hobbies, etc, if you wanted. Don't need your wife's permission or participation for any of that. If doing extra things for your wife gets you kicked in the rear, stop doing them. Do other things that make you feel better about yourself. You could learn a foreign language or take on-line college courses, do a little on-line stock trading, learn to play a musical instrument...whatever. Find some arena (apart from your job) where you can grow and improve, maybe meet other people. Spend more time with your kids doing something that's only special between them and dad. Your wife can't make you happy or unhappy. She can't bust your balls unless you let her hold them. My wife has bipolar and she says cruel, stupid crap all the time. The uglier she acts, the less of me she sees. It hasn't take her long to learn the price for having me around is respect and civility. Your value as a human being isn't a gift some woman can give or withhold. That's a gift you give yourself. You have skills, talents, and interests you probably don't even know about. In any case, if you don't have friends other than your wife, you need to get some. She won't always been mentally or emotionally strong enough to be your support. At least 30% of women end up suffering from depression at one time or other. You can't dump all your emotional eggs in that basket. She's got three kids,work, school, home, financial concerns, etc. I bet the more you bolster yourself without her, the more independent, confident, and interesting you will become. To a woman, confidence and strength are sexy. "Needy" and "brooding" aren't. If you're thinking even a little about giving yourself a dirt nap, you need to reach out and get professional help. Doesn't have to necessarily be a shrink but it should be at least a pastor or a counselor with professional training. No shame in reaching out. Everybody on earth needs an understanding ear at some time. Absolutely not joking, here. Get some help. I've worked hundreds of suicides. Always strikes me as an awful shame and a complete waste. Every one of them could be living happy, fulfilled lives. None of them wanted to die, they just wanted to stop feeling so lousy. Your life can be happy and your kids don't need to drag around the pain and resentment that comes with a father who chose to leave them through suicide for the rest of their lives. Please talk to someone.