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Heartbroken - DH and I have no future

75 replies

AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:07

Apologies for self-indulgent outpouring...

DH and I have been not getting on for the last 18 months or so. Nothing specific - i wondered if he was a bit depressed after his dad dying, or stressed about work - he says the only thing wrong is that he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life with a woman who hates him.

Not sure where that has come from! Been together 25 years, two children, who will be leaving home within the next 3 years. I certainly don't hate him but he has become rather "old" in a way that I haven't and I wonder if we've just really grown apart?

Just been out for lunch to a naice restaurant with DC1 for his significant birthday and it was like being out with my grandparent (except they were fun!!). DH barely spoke, didn't initiate any conversation and looked disapproving at most things. Tried telling DC about a pub we used to go to (pre-DC) near the restaurant and spend long boozy afternoons in, and DH just grimaced as if it was awful. He barely cracked a smile for 2 hours.

I claimed I need to shop so they've gone home ahead and I'm now sitting in a pub wondering where on earth we go to now. I e been burying my head in the sand about this, hoping things will get better, but I don't think they will.

We're being civil housemates at the moment, still sharing a bed but as it's a super-king size we dont actually have to touch 😀 He has his own interests and I have mine and neither of us is making the effort any more to be interested in

He often "quotes" what I've said except that I didn't say it, he just assumes I think it...I believe that he has it firmly in his head that I have in fact said all those things. I am the more volatile person but I'm also pretty laidback and never insult people just because we're rowing. He almost never loses his temper but when he does he tells me exactly what he thinks of me and it's not nice. But then he "forgets" and all is calm.

I truly don't believe I am more at fault than him. We have grown apart and he has definitely become more intolerant (of lots of things, not just me!) whereas I have become more easy going but also more focussed about how I want the rest of my life to be.

I was a SAHM until 2 years ago (he worked abroad a lot so a regular job would have been impossible for me). He was very keen for me to work so I could pay for my own stuff, but now I think he's not that thrilled that I a) got a job really easily b) love my job and am very good at it c) have money to spend and am very generous with it in a way that he isn't. He disputes all of this but can't explain his churlishness about me buying stuff for the house or kids, or his looks of disapproval at clothes I have bought just because I like them.

I don't know how we'd sort it all out financially if we split. I can't afford our mortgage and really don't want to leave our home.

I suppose what I'm saying is that I'm suddenly just feeling really gut-punched that this is really happening to me, to us, and the sentimental me is utterly heartbroken. While the practical me is a bit relieved. I thought I still loved him, but maybe that's just habit? I certainly dont fancy him anymore - he's utterly destroyed that - and I don't think I even like him very much most of the time.

I don't suppose I'm the first person to think this wouldn't happen to me! But I don't know what to do next...

OP posts:
User12879923378 · 11/01/2020 17:13

The description of him that you have given is quite negative. You've said that you think you're the most volatile person but then you have also said that you're the most laid back which I'm not sure I understand. It sounds to me as if you're anxious about a life that you find quite comfortable changing but I am not seeing much about why you love him or would miss him, just lots of stuff about why you think it is his fault that you have grown apart.

Juanmorebeer · 11/01/2020 17:13

God just leave him life is too short. You should be enjoying your life.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 11/01/2020 17:17

I can't afford our mortgage and really don't want to leave our home.

Can you change that? More hours? Different job?

It sounds like the only thing keeping you together is that neither of you have made an effort to call it the end, and you have a comfortable life together. It sounds pretty toxic, and miserable for you and your DC to be honest.

Did DC1 have any chance of a nice significant birthday? With parents that probably aren't hiding their contempt for each other very well, and a Dad that looked miserable and like he'd rather be anywhere else?

Interested in this thread?

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AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:18

That's exactly it! I am concerned about the loss of this life as I know it - habit perhaps - we've had great times together and it's scary to think of a future that's different from what we planned.

I am volatile in that I get more cross more quickly and there's a quick storm that blows over very quickly. But laid back in that I let so much slide by without comment. Perhaps i let things build up and eventually explode through sheer frustration? I also never ever use personal insults or name-calling in rows. As they say in toddler-training books "criticise the behaviour not the person" and I try to follow that. But he doesn't. Which doesn't make him wrong, just different. And maybe we've got to an age where we can't deal with each other bring different any more.

OP posts:
SanAntonio · 11/01/2020 17:21

As well as paying for your own stuff do you also pay for your share of the mortgage, household costs etc? Putting into a pension?

Nextphonewontbesamsung · 11/01/2020 17:22

I would divorce him just for not even making an effort on his child's birthday!! He sounds deeply unattractive in every way.

Ninkanink · 11/01/2020 17:22

You’re not living, you’re just existing. He’s no longer a husband and you’re no longer a wife - instead you’re just housemates who happen to share children.

I couldn’t do it. I would rather be alone than live with someone who no longer cherished me, or stay with someone out of habit alone. I’ve been alone in a marriage and it’s such a horrendous loneliness.

AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:22

@AnchorDownDeepBreath I hope DC enjoyed the lunch. I tried really hard to make it fun, and to be fair we are the gregarious half of the family. DC and dad get on really well too, but doing stuff that doesn't involve anyone else or anything traditionally "fun" (they think it's fun but they do quite niche stuff together). It's quite normal for DH to be a bit silent at meals but I think today was the first time I really noticed how much that annoys me about him. It's the "scales falling from the eyes" moment I suppose.

OP posts:
AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:23

Thank you @Ninkanink, my friend has pretty much said the same.

OP posts:
SanAntonio · 11/01/2020 17:23

Most of our friends split up late 40s early 50s- when their children were leaving/had left home

The glue that kept them together had gone.

Have you considered counselling?

BethanyGilbert · 11/01/2020 17:24

How old are you OP?

Ninkanink · 11/01/2020 17:25

And yes I agree, the way he acted on his son’s birthday was really not nice.

It seems like many men are like this - past a certain point they check out, almost as if they’re just waiting to die. And they expect you to live that way too.

AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:26

Re counselling - he refused a number of years ago when I had PND and we struggled for a while to accept the changes to our lives. He doesn't do talking to strangers. I would. But I'm not going to create more stress by insisting on it.
How could I broach it with him in a non-combative way? Ideas welcome!

OP posts:
SanAntonio · 11/01/2020 17:28

How could I broach it with him in a non-combative way? Ideas welcome!

be honest. say that you are doubting if you have a future together and that you want counselling to see if you can find a common ground build upon.

AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:30

No I wouldn't ever be able to afford the mortgage. I gave up my career to be home with my children (we agreed on that, I wasn't forced) and my earning potential now is rubbish. I don't regret a moment of it and I've done a lot of good stuff (volunteering, community stuff, governorship, etc) but the career I had is pretty much extinct. I'm early 50s btw.

OP posts:
Fatted · 11/01/2020 17:30

How long was he working abroad? How recently did he come back? I've seen a lot of relationships struggle when the two parties actually spend most of the relationship apart and are then forced to spend time together again. I know my own relationship has struggled under circumstances where we hardly spent any time together.

It does all seem to coincide with you starting work. Do you think perhaps he is a bit jealous of you going out, earning money and not being reliant on him anymore? Or do you think he wants you to support him now while he's a SAHP?

cakeandchampagne · 11/01/2020 17:31

Flowers I hope you find a way to make the next part of your life much happier than the last 18 months.

Weffiepops · 11/01/2020 17:34

I think you've grown out of the relationship but fear moving forward. I think it's right to end it, but it will be a painful process. Money and nice houses don't compare to happiness!

AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:36

@Fatted He has worked away about 15 days a month since I've known him (3-4 days at a time) so we've always had quite independent lives, which we've both really enjoyed, as well as spending quality time together when the chunks of leave meant we could do fun stuff together. He isn't now a SAHP but with me being at work (part time) he has more time at home alone, which he claims to LOVE and it does seem like he's a bit resentful that I have a new lease of life. I have asked him, as he seemed so low and I was worried about his mental health, and he assured me that my job is the best thing to have happened in ages.

He has form for burying his head in the sand. And not opening up about his true feelings. I just am at a loss about how to move on

OP posts:
AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:37

@Weffiepops So very true! I think I need another 1000 people telling me that and eventually I'll believe it Confused

OP posts:
SanAntonio · 11/01/2020 17:37

No I wouldn't ever be able to afford the mortgage.

The mortgage amount is irrelevant. You would need to have enough money to buy him out of the house- which is likely to be more than a current mortgage.

You need to think what the house is worth, less mortgage then add in any savings. Divide by 50% and that would be your share.

Add the amount you can borrow onto that- can you afford a house anywhere? You will need a shorter term mortgage if in your 50s.

You can probably avoid selling until the children leave home.

blissfulllife · 11/01/2020 17:42

I wonder if his problem is that while you were a sahm you were reliant on him and this made him feel some security in your relationship, but now you're working and have some financial independence, he's actually feeling like he's not needed. Men eh! Daft creatures x

VerySale · 11/01/2020 17:44

50% would not be your share when you gave up a career to be the main care giver. This would be reflected in any divorce settlement.

AreYouReadyToBeHeartbroken · 11/01/2020 17:45

@SanAntonio Nope id never get a mortgage on my salary (even if I went full time) and the value of our house wouldn't buy 2 smaller in the same area. But one glimmer of hope is that he has inherited a little house not far away which he's been letting out and was planning to sell. Maybe we could negotiate around that? Perhaps him living there and buying a smaller house for me. Our house is in joint names and I did contribute a lot to its purchase 18 years ago. I have no idea how a divorce solicitor would see this, especially as our children will not be so "dependent" very soon.
Any experience on this?

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NumbersStation · 11/01/2020 17:45

It sounds to me almost like you have already separated in your heads.

Like a pp said, you are existing not living. If he won’t work on it I’d be looking to go.

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