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Relationships

Gave up on my marriage, but DH hasn't.

34 replies

Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 09:27

I don't even know where to start! I will try and keep this as short as possible.

DH and I have been together for 8 years. We've got 2 DC both under 6. We are in our 20's.

The last few years have been pretty awful relationship wise. I've had zero affection /attention from DH. He just didn't seem to have any interest in me at all and I used to drive myself mad thinking he was only with me for the kids as we didn't do anything together and our evenings were spent sitting on separate sofas with him on his phone ignoring me.

I tried soooo hard to get our relationship to be a nice loving one but he wasn't interested. I really do wonder why he was happy with that? I gave him so many chances to talk to me and help each other. He always denied anything was wrong and he was completely happy with his life. We were basically housemates who barely spoke to each other. One example of how thing were.. I'd send him Facebook messages just telling him I loved him and asking him how he was and if I saw something funny I'd send it to him. Sometimes he wouldn't even open my messages until 2 weeks later even though he's constantly on his phone Sad The thing is, we barely argued and we did get on well. I could go on and on about all the little things.

The last 6 months got even worse as I gave up. I accepted that this was my marriage and what my life was going to be like for the next 50 years so I needed to make the most of it. I got a new job working evenings. Started getting into exercise which I did in the evenings, started going out more, drinking more and my social life was great. Made a new male friend who I spoke to a lot.

I don't want to go into too much detail but an incident happened where DH saw us together having a laugh (we weren't doing anything wrong. Literally just laughing together) and nothing has been the same since.

DH said that it took the incident to make him realise what he was missing and he wanted our relationship to be like the way me and my friend were together. He's become super clingy, sending me constant messages, getting stropy if I don't show him enough affection and very needy. He booked us a holiday (something we've never done before as he just couldn't be bothered even though we can afford it) he wants us to go out together all the time and buys me flowers. He now wants another baby (again something I was desperate for but he wouldn't even consider) and for the first time ever, we started a joint savings account. He really has tried so hard.

Sounds perfect? Everything I've ever wanted. Except I gave up on our relationship after years of trying. The first few weeks were okay and I really did try but it was so forced from my side and I'm just bitter from the years of trying and failing to make things better. Why does it all have to be on his terms? How can he just decide that he wants things to change? I'm angry at him.

Also he's become insanely jealous of my friend. There's nothing to be jealous of. He now works at the same place as me so I have mood swings from DH every time I go to work. I get missed calls and messages from him when I'm at work even know he knows I can't have my phone on me at work. He went on my phone and read all the messages from my friend.

I don't really know what I'm trying to say here. I don't know what I want. I'm just so angry that he left it so late. I can't do the whole couple-ey things with him that he wants. It makes me cringe. It's so forced from me and it shouldn't be like that. He's offering to give me the relationship I dreamed of but I'm not sure if can do it with him.

I don't know what to do.

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Shoxfordian · 23/06/2017 09:30

Sounds like it's too little too late from your DH

Have you thought of couples counselling if you want to stay together? If not and it sounds more like not tbh; then start the process of separating

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ElspethFlashman · 23/06/2017 09:32

Your marriage is over. Put it out of its misery.

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Alittlepotofrosie · 23/06/2017 09:34

If you're ready to end it then end it. If you're not then i suggest finding a decent couples counsellor where you can both be honest. He's sensed you pulling away and he's trying to pull you back in. The constant texting at work is borderline controlling.

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RiseToday · 23/06/2017 09:36

The horse has bolted from the sound of it.

He can't puff his chest out and try to claim you, now that you have a friendship with another man. That's what is driving his behaviour towards you. Jealously, not genuine love.

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RideOn · 23/06/2017 09:36

Be honest with yourself, are you having an emotional affair?

I believe things can improve in a marriage. Mumsnet rarely say this they often say seperate if it is fizzling out.

I am not surprised you are angry, he has made the change because he has suddenly realised there is a risk of losing you, he has been taking things for granted and then wants everything different overnight!

What about relationship counselling?

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RandomMess · 23/06/2017 09:37

It will take a long time to recover from years of neglect. If you want to give it a chance joint therapy will help - tell him how angry you are!!!!

Otherwise end it but if you mostly get on well and your H is committed to change and compromise think carefully about what you want.

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GeekLove · 23/06/2017 09:38

If your marriage is over why aren't you getting a divorce? You are setting a rather messed up view of what a good relationship is to your children. Living like this for the next 50 years is not life, it is a lie.

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MumBod · 23/06/2017 09:39

Too little too late.

From your OP, you don't even like him.

You are allowed to leave, you know.

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 09:46

Thanks for the replies. I do still love him. 100% but it definitely isn't enough. I think I need to work out if I actually want to be with him or not. It was be so much easier to stay with him as I am financially dependant on him I moved here for him so don't have any family here. I think he would turn spiteful if I said I wanted him to move out. (both on tenancy)

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 09:49

I suppose it could have been a border line emotional affair. I think if I'm honest I just liked the attention. Which is awful I know but I'm just being honest.

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 09:53

We don't really message each other anymore, just to be clear.

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 11:21

Well I've told him I think we should separate and he's crying and begging me to try again. He's willing to do anything but the thing is, I don't think I'm willing to try very hard. Which is really bad I know. I just feel so angry and I'm not sure I can get over the years of wanting to be loved and being ignored.

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GeekLove · 23/06/2017 11:23

I suspect that you can see the future that what he'll do is thing 'Yes that'll do' and it will be back to being housemates again. He has already shown you who he is - someone who sees you as a housekeeper and childcare and not a lover or comrade. Hold your nerve as this bit will suck.

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RidingWindhorses · 23/06/2017 11:34

A day late and a dollar short.

Relationships are organic and need nourishing. If you don't nourish them they wither and die. There's no point watering a dead plant.

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 11:46

Why do I feel so guilty?

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Alittlepotofrosie · 23/06/2017 11:54

I think counselling is worth considering.

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pocketsaviour · 23/06/2017 11:55

Because women are taught that it's men who end relationships. Because if they're making a temporary effort then we have to pretend we believe that they've changed.

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MumBod · 23/06/2017 11:55

It's a hard thing to do. You're human. I've been through it myself.

Never regretted it for a second. The shocking thing to me was that after twenty years, I didn't miss him for one single moment Sad

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StormTreader · 23/06/2017 11:57

Because hes now giving you what youve been asking for, and you still want to leave, so you feel guilty.

The thing is though, its too late, and thats not your fault. He took you for granted until he saw someone else enjoying your company, and suddenly hes now all over you to "get you back", but youre not a car to be traded back and forth. As someone else said, a day late and a dollar short.

Even if you did take him back, do you think the interest would continue for any length of time? Or not be parcelled up with crazy jealousy?

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MumBod · 23/06/2017 12:00

My XH tried this. It moved me not a jot, because he was only motivated to get off his arsed when he realised he had something to lose. It was for his benefit, not mine.

By that stage I was resenting his food for keeping him alive, so no amount of date nights and cooking tea was going to cut it, I'm afraid.

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Adora10 · 23/06/2017 13:47

He didn't give a shit about you previously and treated you appallingly; now that you've actually withdrawn he can see that you may be able to move on without him and he can't stand the thought of someone else having you.

Too late I'd say and I'd call time on this, it sounds awful.

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 13:57

Thanks for all the messages. Well at least he knows how I'm feeling now. I'm still very confused.

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Adora10 · 23/06/2017 13:58

Why do I feel so guilty?

Because you are a nice person.

By what you say, he gave up on your marriage a long time ago.

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 15:00

I've been speaking to him on and off today. I really do believe he is devastated. How would we go about getting counseling​? Argh I wish I knew what to do.

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Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 15:03

He's suggested moving out for a while to see how things go. Has anyone successfully done this?

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