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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Low confidence, but DH has such high expectations

165 replies

DogTiredWife · 18/01/2017 22:38

I'm a regular on here, however NCed because this post is very personal. I've been married to DH for six and a half years, we have two DC. DH has a good job earns over £150k per year( in a good year teice that). He has always made it clear he wants our DC to go to private school and now our second child is coming up to that age. We live in London. I have been a SAHM for the last five years. I literally do everything at home and am totally financially dependent on him. Before the DC I worked and earned about £32k a year. However when we met I had some debts quite large ones after being made reundant several times, helping my brother during the recession, a bad friendship with an alcoholic friend who I was too weak to say no too and I had depression, and paid for a hiludau with DH. DH works long hours, mocks me, never does anything for the children, and gives me very little money (£1000 a month) I know to some people this is loads, but we live in huge house in London, he eats like a horse and has loads of allergies and expects me to pay for car maintaince, street parking outside the house £220 per annum, food (read fancy cheese, organic stuff), presents for his family usually £50 a pop, phone and broadband, kids presents, dinner parties, clothes, petrol, any handymen or plumbers and it's an old house so stuff goes wrong often. He pays the mortgage and utilities. But I'm not on the house deeds, it's for the most part paid off. He also has a flat he owns and rents out, I manage the tenants. He is never around in the evenings because he is at work I do everything with the kids, I rarely go out in the evenings, I never feel I can count on him on Saturday's he lies in till 11 then likes to go out yo fancy restaurants for lunch. He rarely plays with the kids but when he does he is good but it's easy to be good when you only do it two hours a week. I cook from scratch everyday, do all housework get up with the kids, always put them to bed etc. He is also a heavy drinker and drinks about half to a whole bottle of wine a night. Awhile back he told me he just has a low libido and maybe it will come back but basically he's not interested, I feel hurt but tbh I've gone off him because he humiliates me. I will never be as clever or earn as much as him, but now he says I must get a proper job by September so I can pay one set of school fees, I'm happy to work but I feel division of money is quite uneven if I have to pay school fees probably around £20000 a year when you factor in uniforms, transport and school lunches. AIBU to think this is all a bit unfair. He also has lots of savings, investments and a big pension pot. He cancelled the joint accpunt because he thought I was having a negative impact on his credit rating. When I say joint account he put money in and never used it but kept track on everything I spent and ig I had toask for extra money he makes me grovel, when we opened it he said, if you need more just ask but it hasn't been like that.

Sorry about the long ramble but do you think I'm being unreasonable to be a bit taken aback about paying one set of school fees? I know I'll still do everything else at home too, I don't know where to start with a job he always laughs at what I say, patronizes me and I hust feel soo useless.

OP posts:
mineallmine · 18/01/2017 23:08

I always think people on MN are too quick to say LTB but seriously, what's in this marriage for you? He sounds like a deeply unpleasant man who is treating you abominably.divorce him. It doesn't matter that his name is on the house deeds, it's the marital home. You'll get a much better deal divorced than you're getting now and you will no longer be financially and emotionally abused.

Get all your ducks in a row. Get all the bank statements, pension details etc together. Make an appt with a good solicitor and find out what you will be entiltled to and what information you need going forward., you'll be much happier.

seven201 · 18/01/2017 23:10

Definitely LTB. You deserve much better and a it will be better for the kids too as he is an awful role model. Be strong.

PurpleWithRed · 18/01/2017 23:13

Another vote as above - gather together financial information then see a solicitor. He is financially and emotionally abusive. It will be ugly and nasty in the short term but fantastic after that.

PickAChew · 18/01/2017 23:14

Get back to work, get all the paperwork and get the hell away from him.

If you're not ready or prepared to do that, file all receipts meticulously so you can make a big show of budgeting and don't buy luxury foods out of that £1000. If he needs stinking bishop or whatever that badly, he can buy it himself.

Blacksox · 18/01/2017 23:15

You poor thing. Get out, get out!

This sounds wretched.

WhereDoesThisRoadGo · 18/01/2017 23:15

This man sounds like he has serious issues. He uses his financial success to control you and you need to put a stop to it.

I once worked with someone who talked about his wife in a way that resonated with how your husband treats you. One thing that shocked me was how many women threw themselves at him in an attempt to get his attention. He would have affairs and treat them as bad as he did his wife, then dunp them. He used to always joke that his wife would never leave him because she needed him so he knew she would always be there. But luckily she gathered herself together and did leave him. He went off sick for 5 months with stresss. I smiled a lot the day I found out!

The point is: He assumes he can get away with this because he always has. Show him you are still you and do the right thing for you and your DCs.

Tempered · 18/01/2017 23:16

I can relate. Just got my decree nisi.

I don't want to say much on here. But in my opinion, it won't get better. It'll probably get worse.

One step at a time. I started with contacting the CAB, Gingerbread single parents charity, www.rightsofwomen.co.uk. also, tax credit people (despite ex being a high earner and having to still cohabiting until house sold).

Google your local women's centre too. They had a solicitor I could see.

Your husband prob will fight, but it'll be a lot of Hot air and you will be better off without him.

Good luck.

PamBalam · 18/01/2017 23:18

Hoooow do people get themselves into these situations?? Are you frightened of him? Why are you allowing him to treat you this way? How did you allow it to get to this point?

You need to leave him. He sounds awful. In the meantime, start laughing in his face saying no to him once in a while.

Tempered · 18/01/2017 23:19

Sorry a bit of my post doesn't make sense. I got tax credits despite ex being a high earner, and cohabiting. Because I got nothing from him.

Mintybuttons · 18/01/2017 23:20

Christ - he sounds like an utter tosser.
Flowers

WonkoTheSane42 · 18/01/2017 23:21

Don't victim blame Pam.

Twinkletwinkle1977 · 18/01/2017 23:22

I agree - leave him - but it's not always that simple is it?
Say no to paying one set of school fees. If he wants it he will stump up.
Do you want to work? If so get a job and pay it into a sole bank ac for your own use. If you don't just say no!
Stop paying for his things out of your 'allowance'.
Get your hands on all the paperwork for his and your joint ac to consult a solicitor with - you'll get far more than you do currently in a divorce!

seventhgonickname · 18/01/2017 23:25

If you stay he will grind your confidence and self worth down further.Agree with others start getting copies of paperwork and store somewhere he won't look(in your car is a good place).Go to CAB,find a solicitor who does s free first 1/2 hour.Open a bank account and move some money there.Be strong and fight for the life you and your children deserve.

Bluntness100 · 18/01/2017 23:27

Ah jeez, this is awful.

Ok, so leaving him is the way forward. Can I ask was it a mutual agreement for you to be a stay at home mum and how old are your children?

Start to think through the financials and what you are entitled to. Child maintenance is a given, but was the house purchased before or after you were married. Is there equity in it if purchased after the marriage? Can uou get copies of documentation showjng savings and investments and when he got these i.e. What was during the marriage,

Also start looking for a job now.

In the meantime see a solicitor.

DogTiredWife · 18/01/2017 23:30

It's tricky to get any paperwork as everything is at his work and I have no access to it, which complicates things, however he does have a financial advisor and I know his details. He is fearsomely clever which is intimidating.

OP posts:
TitaniasCloset · 18/01/2017 23:32

As pp said, get all your ducks in a row, get copies of every document and bank statements etc, see a solicitor and look into the charities posted above.

Then Ltb.

Flowers
TitaniasCloset · 18/01/2017 23:34

Get what documents you can. Definitely get some legal advice.

Twinkletwinkle1977 · 18/01/2017 23:35

But he is also arrogant and that will be his downfall Smile he is totally underestimating you right now so perhaps play along and get the into you need if you can ('accidentally' open a bank statement etc!)

PussInCoutts · 18/01/2017 23:35

Sounds like he is controlling and financially abusive.

It is completely unreasonable to expect you to contribute to school fees when you already look after the home and DCs and he earns 10 people's yearly minimum wage!

Unbelievable and YADNBU.

Rixera · 18/01/2017 23:39

If these are his children, why is he not paying their school fees out of his fucking massive salary?
I get you're scared and I definitely get not having any backup. But have you spoken to him about how you feel?
How about relationship counselling?

Divorce is a huge step after all. Maybe try earnestly talking- and if you can't talk initially write him a letter.
Tell him 'when you do x, you make me feel y.' ask him why he isn't paying the school fees given they're his children too. Ask him to help budget because it's very tough to fit everything into the amount you are given.
And when he is patronising, immediately say 'by talking to me like that, it makes me feel disrespected and unloved. That is making me feel unhappy in our relationship.'

GTS · 18/01/2017 23:39

This post makes me really sad. I suspect to outsiders you look like you have it all. The reality is that nobody should have to live like this, feeling worthless and humiliated. Your confidence and self esteem sound in tatters and I really feel for you. Can you imagine a life away from him? Start giving it some serious thought...it's a scary prospect but one I think might just save your sanity.

PamBalam · 18/01/2017 23:39

This reply has been deleted

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DogTiredWife · 18/01/2017 23:40

He bought the house 18 months before we got married, we've been married six and a half years. I had the DC very close together and got PND after my DC2 was born. I haven't worked since mainly because I wanted to be with them, I wasn't well enough and I felt they needed at least one parent they could count on to be there. He thinks my not working is lazy but I'm pretty busy, although when my DC2 starts school in September I'll have more free time and always planned to return to work then anyway.

OP posts:
TalkingofMichaelAngel0 · 18/01/2017 23:41

See a solicitor before getting a job. Surely on his income and your role you'd be entitled to spousal?

user1484766714 · 18/01/2017 23:42

You might find it tough to find the confidence to go through job applications and interviews, when you are being put down like this. An idea might be to spend some time with a piece of paper writing down everything you got right before you met this guy. Every exam you passed, ever bit of praise you got from an old boss or friend and look at it when you are feeling low or before you fill in the job applications. Reconnect with the person you were before him.
Also, please start hiding away as much money as you can. Money will probably be his weapon of choice during a divorce, if you decide to get one. I wish you luck and send you a big hug.

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