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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Relationships

Divorcing sulking DH - it WILL happen in 2021!

769 replies

jamaisjedors · 04/01/2021 07:40

Another year, another thread !

Can't believe this is thread number SIX ! and that I am still getting amazing support from all the wonderful mumsnetters out there ! Grin

RECAP :
First thread from December 2019 after my H ruined my birthday weekend (and 1st anniversay of my dad's death) by giving me the silent treatment all weekend to "punish me" for not being grateful enough for him coming away and buying me a present and a card.

//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3448545-Confronting-DH-about-his-sulking?msgid=84022238

Thanks to some amazing posters I realised that H's behaviour (which was not at all a one-off) was emotionally abusive and unacceptable.

I prepared to leave him and got plans in place but got "hoovered" back in by H with promises of joint counselling, individual counselling for him, and regular "date nights". Unfortunately none of that changed the dynamic in our relationship : 2nd thread :

//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3498886-Confronting-DH-about-his-sulking-part2?msgid=85957683

I started a 3rd thread in May when H and I had decided to separate :

//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3580872-LEAVING-sulking-H?msgid=88239005

and that's when things got nightmarish.

As everyone on here pointed out, the most dangerous time for women is when they decide to leave an abusive partner.

In a nutshell, H went missing, had an acute psychotic episode, was admitted to a psychiatric facility and stayed there for over 2 months.

Staff at the hospital warned me H could be dangerous for me and advised me to move out of the family home asap which I did, in fear for my life.

Fourth thread :
//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/a3637219-DIVORCING-sulking-H?msgid=92845754#92845754

saw me going to court to safeguard the DC through a request for full custody with limited visiting rights for exH.

With the help of my great lawyer we got the decision we wanted from the judge but the battle never ends over every little thing - schools, activities, money...

Fifth thread :
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3786349-Divorcing-sulking-H-will-it-happen-in-2020?msgid=102523551

But exH appealed against the judge's initial decision so we had to go back to court in mid-February and with COVID etc. the ruling came in June 2020.

The saga continued as the judge ruled she didn't have enough information to make a decision about custody (exH didn't provide any) and so in November 2020 the whole family had to go for a "psychological assessment".

Right now we are still:

  • waiting for the expert's psychological report as to whether exH is safe to have the DC overnight
  • still waiting for the designated solicitor to draw up a financial settlement
  • waiting for exH to agree to the divorce - but after 2 years living separately (May 2021 or September 2021) he will have no choice.


Which is why 2021 WILL be the year of the divorce !

I keep posting after all this time because:

a) I have had and continue to get brilliant, incisive, caring advice and support from other posters
b) I regularly see threads from women with "sulking" partners and who might (I hope) gain some insight into their situation by taking a look at my threads and the advice on them
c) my threads are absolute proof of the fact that leaving an abusive man is dangerous (even when you are not even sure yourself whether he is really abusive or not). We were a "normal" family, looked "perfect" from the outside, and suddenly we have been involved with social services, police, courts. I can't even begin to imagine how hard all that must be without the financial means and real-life/online support that I have had.

Happy also for anyone to PM me if anything in my threads strikes a chord with you Smile
OP posts:
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MyOwnSummer · 04/01/2021 07:54

Welcome back, what a journey you've been on!

Here's hoping for a positive outcome from the evaluations and that you can finally be done with this saga soon.

I think you are doing a good thing to keep posting, there are threads on here daily from women with sulking stonewalling partners. Hopefully some have read your threads and taken something useful from it.

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Daleksatemyshed · 04/01/2021 07:57

Happy 2021 Jamais,I've been reading since your first post and hope this year you will finally be free

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tiredvommachine · 04/01/2021 07:59

Glad to read that things are so positive for you, onwards and upwards Flowers

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RandomMess · 04/01/2021 08:29

Yeah to the divorce being on the horizon!!!!

What has the EA said about the land/house valuation and plan permission etc?

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jamaisjedors · 04/01/2021 08:52

Thanks for all the good wishes !

@RandomMess we should know in the next couple of weeks if the planning permission for part of the garden is ok or not - was initially granted, then rejected, we appealed, if they don't reply within a couple of weeks I think it means it's ok (which means the financial settlement MIGHT actually move forward!).

OP posts:
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pointythings · 04/01/2021 09:38

I really hope you get everything tied up in 2021 - this has been far, far too epic for anyone. And I also hope you get the right results with regards to custody/access for your sons. Onwards and upwards!

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Knittedfairies · 04/01/2021 09:54

Hello again Jamais; I've read all your threads but not had much to contribute. This will be the year it's all sorted for you - it's gone on way too long.

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nowishtofly · 04/01/2021 10:34

Another one who has been with you on the journey Jamais. I haven't commented much or at all but have been cheering you on from the early days. It must be great to know that 2021 will be the year!

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Grrrpredictivetex · 04/01/2021 11:07

Wow @jamaisjedors what a journey this has been. Rereading your initial post I'd forgotten all the steps you'd been through. You are a true survivor and I take my hat of to you. One day your DC will thank you for keeping them safe, and hoe brave and strong you've been for all of you. HmmThanks

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Grrrpredictivetex · 04/01/2021 11:08

No idea where odd emoji came from 😂

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CharityDingle · 04/01/2021 11:17

Wishing you all the best, jamais.
You sound like a different person, in the most positive way possible, from the one who started the original thread.

I see so many threads cropping up in the relationships forum where the OP is dealing with a sulking partner. I hope that they see your thread(s) and see that there is hope.

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Happynow001 · 04/01/2021 11:39

Happy New Year, dear Jamais, to you and your boys.

I've followed your story from the beginning and you sound like a different person: confident, relaxed, content and with a zest for your new life. Your boys must be so proud of you. 🥂 and 🌈 for 2021! Warmest wishes for a better future. 🌹

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HeyGirlHeyBoy · 04/01/2021 11:41

Oh wow I remember so well that first thread. Can't believe what has happened since. Wishing that 2021 is your year.

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Yohoheaveho · 04/01/2021 12:07

Thank you for sharing your experiences Jamais🙏
I was married to a sulker once, I'm going to read through your old threads for some insights👀

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LannieDuck · 04/01/2021 13:16

I always like seeing your updates :) You've been so level-headed throughout the whole horrible, stressful saga. Fingers crossed this year is a little easier...

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Mix56 · 04/01/2021 14:44

2021, the year when you can legally be free of his game playing ...

Go Go Go

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Fightingback16 · 04/01/2021 14:52

Snap for my divorce finally in 2021after filing in August 2019. Going through a similar situation at the courts for contact as he is also mentally unstable and addicted to drugs plus financials going through the court.
Virtual hugs it’s all a very stressful time.

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NettleTea · 04/01/2021 14:56

2021 will be your year xx sending you all the luck and a bunch of love too (although I know thats highly disapproved of on MN) xx

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BlueThistles · 04/01/2021 20:42

fantastic ... glad your still here Flowers

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Lsquiggles · 04/01/2021 20:50

Really hope 2021 is the year you can 'officially' LTB for good! Flowers

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AnnaMagnani · 04/01/2021 21:04

Happy New Year! I have followed all your threads (as has my DH by proxy) and we are willing you on to get your divorce this year ever since being truly scared for you at the time of thread 3.

So pleased to know that this year there will be a divorce, consent or no consent.

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GurlwiththeCurl · 04/01/2021 22:04

Also sending my very best wishes to you. I have followed your threads since the beginning, but have rarely posted as I couldn’t offer any advice. But here’s another woman rooting for you and your boys.

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Cherrysoup · 04/01/2021 23:22

Chérie, you are AMAZING! You can divorce him this year and he can’t contest it. You will be free (well, I mean, you have the gosses so you’ll have to talk/liaise with him but you can be grey rock. You’re fabulous, never forget that. 😍 Happy 2021, it’s going to be the year you cut him loose. 🙂

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everythingbackbutyou · 05/01/2021 02:41

Freedom, baby!

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everythingbackbutyou · 05/01/2021 02:44

Apart from the power games, victim playing and all the other little nasty side effects of having procreated with these 'men'. Talking to my brother recently, he recommended I regard my stbxh as those nasty little dregs at the bottom of a bottle of wine - inconsequential but irritating.

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