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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think in a way it's easier without dh

135 replies

mylittlearmy · 12/05/2016 04:03

Just that really normally have really bad depression and anxiety. I work with dh and he went away on a trip yesterday . At work I could talk to people without him having a go at me. I had a nice relaxed journey home and then had a relaxed evening with no one moaning I hadn't done something or shouting because he lost a game or the kids were loud etc

I feel incredibly guilty that I have enjoyed the day and felt so relaxed! AIBU to think that emotionally at least it is easier without dh ?

OP posts:
HeteronormativeHaybales · 12/05/2016 06:39

I'm not surprised you're anxious and depressed, living with this charmer. How dare he treat you like this? And it sounds as if he's got you right where he wants you - (seemingly) dependent. (I say 'seemingly' because you are married and in the event of a split he might suddenly find your position is better than he clearly assumes).

I second the others - start making a plan. Look at the figures.

You only have one life.

HeteronormativeHaybales · 12/05/2016 06:41

Your 'phases of being ok' sound like resignation tbh Sad

Be really clear that the sense of relief you had yesterday is telling you something - something about how your life could be and how it is now.

8FencingWire · 12/05/2016 06:45

Just in case, OP, his behaviour IS abusive and not OK at all.

coconutpie · 12/05/2016 06:49

What do you mean by "when I got pregnant with DC6 (his fault)"??

You need to leave this man. You are being emotionally abuses here. He sounds awful. A court will make him pay maintenance for you and the DC, you'll be better off mentally and financially without him.

mylittlearmy · 12/05/2016 06:50

I can't find the other thread it was called something like AIBU to be upset at people noticing I struggle.

I have been looking for other jobs, but I don't know how he would react if he found out. I think he would be extremely upset! I think I would be able to do something like a receptionist etc but I have no experience of anything so it's hard to find jobs that don't want experience! I haven't even heard back from most I applied for. One shop did email back saying I was overqualified which wasn't much help.

I'm not sure what kind of job I should be applying for

OP posts:
Zippidydoodah · 12/05/2016 06:51

You sound so downtrodden. I bet your colleagues noticed the difference in you yesterday, when you're not constantly being shushed and criticised by the man who's meant to love, respect and look after you.

LittleHouseOnTheShelf · 12/05/2016 06:52

OP it does look pathetic when it's written down - it looks pathetic that a grown man behaves this way.
What is in this relationship for you? It doesn't seem like there is much benefit to you if I'm honest.

LindyHemming · 12/05/2016 06:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Zippidydoodah · 12/05/2016 06:53

Re: jobs- what subject is your degree?

If you're doing admin at the moment, how about another admin job?

WellErrr · 12/05/2016 06:53

I am 99.9% certain I recognise you from your previous thread.

If so, I'm glad you came back.

Your husband is criminally abusive. He would be jailed for what he has done to you. And rightly so.

You really, REALLY REALLY need to LTB. And I am not a poster who often says that.

Please don't waste your life being abused by this piece of shit. You have a baby and five older children, you'd be entitled to plenty to live on.

Call Women's Aid. Do it this time Flowers

mylittlearmy · 12/05/2016 06:53

My current job is - organizing projects that come in, dealing with company accounts (but not pay obviously Grinmaking work lists for other employees and I basically take on clients that dh has upset in some way and become a sort of account manager to try and get the project done.

According to the company accounts my job title is "operations director" I don't know what that even meanGrinConfused

OP posts:
WellErrr · 12/05/2016 06:54

Apologies if I have the wrong poster.....did you have another thread about something sex related?

Zippidydoodah · 12/05/2016 06:55

I'm guessing by wellerrrr's last post, that it is even worse than you've described here.....

WellErrr · 12/05/2016 06:55

(But even if I do have the wrong poster this man doesn't sound a treat to be with either)

mylittlearmy · 12/05/2016 06:58

Zippidy- my degree is in history. Not very useful I don't suppose!

Wellerrr- I do remember you posting on my other thread . I did try to listen the issue that I posted about it much rarer now and I have been applying for jobs like I said I would. I just haven't been able to bring myself to do much else which I know is pathetic but I have spent the whole time just trying to het through. Thanks for remembering me though Flowers

OP posts:
mylittlearmy · 12/05/2016 06:58

Weller yes that was me.

OP posts:
whatdoIget · 12/05/2016 07:00

Op, it definitely sounds like he wouldn't want the children to live with him, therefore you would be the one who got the tax credits and child benefit etc. I'm also wondering what you mean by it being his fault you got pregnant with DC6?
You really need to get some advice about leaving him. You could get in contact with www.womensaid.org.uk
At least have a look at the website if you don't feel up to phoning them yet.

WellErrr · 12/05/2016 07:05

Ok. I'm glad it's improved.....but rare isn't enough. It needed to stop. But I'll say no more now if you don't want to talk about it Flowers

I think you're in the place where you've realised that you would be happier without him, and that things aren't right, but you're not sure what to do?

Can I ask a question? If you could wave a magic wand and suddenly be divorced, in your own home with your children, and working apart from him, free to live your own life and with enough money to do it.......would you?

If the answer is yes (which I suspect it will be), then what you are actually scared of is the enormity of the split. Which is totally natural. But there is so much help available.

You need to split it into manageable chunks. Have you been on the entitledto website? Go on and answer as if you were separated. See exactly what you'd get in benefits - that should be a good starting point.

This IS doable, and tens of thousands of women have done it before you....many of them then turning round to hand the next one up.
Please be the next one. Check out your benefit entitlement and call womens aid.

Flowers Flowers

ddrmum · 12/05/2016 07:14

Bless you OP🌷! I don't post often but I feel I need to reply to yours. I was in a similar position 6yrs ago. Although I also worked, exh refused to contribute to childcare ( 3 kids aged 1-5), look after kids, sulking for sex, sulking if i wanted to take the children out, help with housework.etc. so i was on eggshells most of the time & yes they did notice at work. Financial & emotional abuse is now an offence as mentioned by others here. You husband is a bully and I fear that this behaviour will escalate and become physical as it did in my case. It will be hard initially but you & your DCs will be better off. Please get advice, speak to refuge, womens aid etc & see if your local.council has a crisis unit. Your mental.health is critical and is being harmed by being in this toxic relationship. Protect yourself and your children and LTB. If you're not safe, your children are not safe. Wishing you love and strength x

Kenduskeag · 12/05/2016 07:20

Also a part-company-owner here.

Get yourself some legal advice. If you're part of that company you should be being paid a salary. If he's paying it to himself that could be illegal. You have rights to that business. You'll get your share. And if you're the one who's pleasant to clients, maybe they'll follow you into a new business, one without a daily dose of public shaming.

I just told my DH the office tale and he was horrified. "That's public shaming," he said, "And I'd be worried if he's happy to do that in public, he's going to escalate. He feels untouchable."

A child that was 'his fault'?

Remember financial abuse became a specific crime in April. Get advice from that angle too. Women's Aid.

MessyBun247 · 12/05/2016 07:34

Aw OP you don't have to put up with this Flowers. You only have one life and you deserve to be happy. Your H sounds like a twat. I can't give much practical advice but start planning your escape now, ring Womens Aid and try and get some advice.
It wouldn't be easy being on your own with 6 kids but it sounds like you are already doing everything on your own, as well as putting up with a load of unnecessary bullshit from your H. Get away from him and start making a good life for you and your kids, please don't let fear hold you back. There is lots of help available.

Petal40 · 12/05/2016 07:39

Start by making some changes....phone child benefit ..get it put in yr name. Same with child tax credits.......use that for housekeeping and clothes things you and kids need, next demand he pays you the going rate for the hours you work.....he won't??? Then get yrself a job doing the same thing somewhere else... You need money in yr own name and a job.....from there you start looking at flats to rent. A two bedroom one would be a start.the boys in one room.the girls in another.you on the sofa....step by step.take back control......remember.people only treat you how you let them xxx good look honey.

LastInTheQueue · 12/05/2016 07:40

Also I do love him I just hate his moods

Sweetheart, he IS his "moods" Sad

frumpet · 12/05/2016 07:47

I think you have been applying for jobs well below what you are actually capable of , when you list what you do at work , it sounds to me as though you could be a fantastic asset to any number of businesses, as you already are to your own .

hermionesheldonawinchester · 12/05/2016 07:49

I won't say LTB because I have been exactly where you are and despite everyone else trying ro make me see the light, I felt ashamed that I couldn't find this supposed strength they all said I would have and I tried even harder to make things 'work'.
It is emotional and financial abuse, he has you in a controlled position where he knows you feel hopeless because leaving doesn't seem a realistic option, you depend on him. I was the same, I couldn't leave because the children needed to be fed, housed and clothed. I worked (he didn't) and all money was handled by him. He exaggerated our financial desperation so that I felt trapped, and put me down because he knew that I was easy to shut down. I couldn't approach him about anything because if he flew off the handle it was my fault, so I kept my silence and sank into depression. Day in, day out I went to work, he would drop me off and wait outside in the car all day, take me home, where I would do the housework, handle the children, cook clean and have to submit to sex I hated.
He did become violent, and I still stayed another 4 years, even though I was sure I would eventually leave in a bodybag. One day I woke up and found my hope, I spoke to my manager at work and said I planned to leave and wouldn't be able to continue in my position because I feared his reaction and retaliation. I was right, he attempted to set fire to the building after putting the windows through late at night.
I took my dc to a neighbour immediately after school while he was in the bathroom, and asked if we could wait there while I called the police.
As soon as they arrived, it was a breath of fresh air, I just poured everything to them. They did a risk assessment and helped me find emergency accommodation. Additional officers were called to keep him in one room while others escorted me through the house to collect belongings for myself and the dc. We left that day and haven't seen him since.
I am still not strong enough to provide the witness statements and evidence tapes, but it is marked as a historical case if I ever do.
The one thing I notice about my life now, is that I am happy, my dc are happy and there is no weight of depression. Yes it was hard, extremely hard. But that tiny first step gave way for me to feel so relieved, I think adrenaline powered me through. It's such an empowering feeling to finally realise that they don't have any hold over you really. I probably kick myself more over not doing it sooner now that the hopeless, despairing fog has lifted.
I must say, after finally walking out, the things like money and housing didn't seem immediately cincerning. There was such a massive amount of support that was rolled in, I was overwhelmed. I remember thanking a support worker beyond belief and she said to me "You aren't the first, you won't be the last, we know what we're doing, and you'll be ok."
Honestly, there is so much in place to help you out of this situation when you are ready. Don't fret about things that won't change while you stay, like not having enough money or nowhere to go.
A hand hold from me, stay about here, there are plenty of lovely ladies who will give you comfort. And for when you are ready, best wishes.
Flowers

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