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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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AIBU to expect more from dh?

208 replies

Preggocinders · 08/03/2017 19:46

Newbie so be gentle! Long post but there's a lot to this...
So me and DH met just over a year ago, married for 9 months, I have a ds from previous relationship and I am days away from giving birth to Dh's first baby. We moved really fast as soon as we met, fell in love hard and just went with it. I'm a SAHM and he works 30 hours a week, and makes enough to support us. We had an agreement that I would do all the cooking and cleaning and he would be the bread winner. That's fine. The problems have come when I've wanted to do something with ds when dh is working, like visit family or friends. Because he thinks when he is working I should be in the home, and be there when he gets home from work with his meal prepared, towel and comfy clothes sitting out for him to have a shower etc. When I didn't realise that's what he wanted at first and would be out when he called me from work, he would go in moods, not speak to me, or threaten to leave me. I had a horrible break up with ds dad, who was emotionally and financially abusive, cheat on me etc, and I felt worthless after he left, so when I met dh and he was initially very loving caring and thoughtful, I didn't see any of his negative qualities. My family picked up on the changes they saw in my behaviour very quickly, and dislike DH because of it. It all came to a head with them a couple of months ago when my mum vocalised her dislike for dh, saying that he was draining the goodness out of me. I love DH, even though I see what our relationship has done to me. I used to be full of life and now I just feel empty. Because of what DM said, DH won't allow any of my family to be involved in our baby's life, and has said if I ever let them near baby he will leave me. I just feel so alone and I don't know what to do and have no one to turn to. I've come out of hospital today after two nights being monitored because I am high risk due to a heart condition, and had bad pains and palpations. DH moaned about having to sit with me while waiting to be seen, because he hates sitting around. I was in a lot of pain and needed his support and love, but all I got was more stress because he was getting angry at me because we had to sit there and wait 2 hours or so to be seen by a doctor. He didn't visit me, and wouldn't allow anyone else to because of the whole my family /baby thing. I've come home today and he hasn't done a single thing in the house while I've been away, dishes still dirty from before I left, he had just sat and ate Crisps in front of the TV and left all his rubbish on the floor. I asked him why he hadn't even bothered lifting stuff through to the kitchen, and his reply was "but then what would I need you for". Aibu to expect even a little effort so when I came home sore and tired and sick of being poked and prodded, that the house wouldn't be an utter tip? My DP watched ds, and when the drop him off they arent allowed near the house so I had to stand out in the cold to wait on them. And DH wouldnt even acknowledge DS when we came indoors, DS is only 2 and loves DH so was excited to see him, and DH just blanked him and went upstairs. I don't want to be alone, with two kids by two different dads and divorced. But how do I get him to see that the way he acts hurts me?

OP posts:
FlissMumsnet · 08/03/2017 22:51

Preggocinders, we're really sorry to hear what a hard time you're having.

As you've seen, Mumsnetters are a tremendously supportive bunch, and because of that, it can be tempting not to seek help in real life but we'd urge you to do just that and we hope you don't mind us posting but you might find the below useful;

Samaritans' website www.samaritans.org/, or email them on [email protected] - they're always there to listen and offer support.

We really hope that things look a little brighter for you soon.
Flowers

BeccaAnn · 08/03/2017 23:36

Please Please Please leave, stuff is just that stuff, it can be replaced easily. what isn't easy to replace is your mental health and wellbeing once he's really got you isolated (to be honest he's pretty much there).
your family love and support you and your children and will be overjoyed to see that you know what is right for you and your DC's.

Take the essentials, call you family and ask them to come and help you pack as much as you can fit into a car or two, (it's a lot more than you think!) get you marriage certificate, birth cert, passport if you have one etc. put them in your handbag now. change all your passwords on a different computer to make sure he hasnt got a key logger (its a thing believe me).

There are literally hundreds of people giving away amazing stuff online, so when you get back on your feet you can kit out your house for almost nothing!

as for divorce, you must have been married for 1 year before you can get a divorce, if you are on benefits you can get subsidies to cover a lot of the court fees, the reason you would give in this instance is 'Unreasonable behaviour - Domestic abuse'. I also advise that you get a prohibitive steps order in place to make sure he has no access to DC2. a restraining order may also be necessary if he turns violent. can you pm me with where you live? if you're local to me I can send you details of an excellen solicitor who does 1 hour initial consultations and advice for free.

Please get out, your children will be better off for it, yes it will be hard but you will get through it. as long as you are fed, watered and have a roof over your head you are good.

Preggocinders · 09/03/2017 05:51

Thank you everyone. It feels so good to know I'm not being crazy and "hormonal". You are all right, I tried to talk to him one last time, to see the error of his ways kind of thing, and his response was "you can't ask me to change who I am, that's like asking you to be skinny and grow bigger tits". I'm due in a week and a half. I spent the night in DS room, cuddling him, which is something else I've not been "allowed" to do in front of DH because it made him uncomfortable to see me with a child to another man. I have no friends but a supportive family who I know will help, I know I'm lucky. I just can't believe how incredibly stupid I have been, how blind to think he would change back to the man I fell head over heels for. I'm leaving today. Thank you MN.

OP posts:
Trifleorbust · 09/03/2017 05:58
Flowers

Well done - you are of course doing the right thing. Good luck!

BitchQueen90 · 09/03/2017 06:02

Wishing you all the luck OP. You and your DC deserve better than this. You're doing the right thing.

Pleasejustgetdressed · 09/03/2017 06:04

Your mum and dad and DS sound lovely, as do you. You'll do great without him.

Sunnyjac · 09/03/2017 06:12

There's nothing to love in him. If your husband makes you feel worthless then leave. Don't allow yourself to be emotionally abused in this. If he can do it to you then he will do it to the children, and is already from what you say. Get out, go back to your family and focus on your children xx

Schmoochypoos · 09/03/2017 06:14

Well done OP, you've made the right decision. Good luck Flowers

notanothernamechangebabes · 09/03/2017 06:15

Forget growing bigger tits lovely, you've just grown a massive pair of balls.

As tempting as it is, do NOT tell him you're leaving, or do anything unusual before he goes to work. You don't know how he'll react.

Try and enjoy your last weeks of pregnancy, if you can. I hope you find some peace with your parents and your lovely DS and can cuddle him, let yourself be looked after.... and breathe a big sigh of relief!

Good luck- let us know when you're out safely. So many good wishes for you Flowers

Introvertedbuthappy · 09/03/2017 06:18

Good luck OP. You've made the right decision Flowers

KatharinaRosalie · 09/03/2017 06:21

your poor son...not allowed to hug her own mum.

And you know, most women about to give birth are just resting while their loving husbands are doing everything - not the other way around. I really hope you mean about leaving and are not just saying that to get the entire MN off your back.

Maxandrubyrubyandmax · 09/03/2017 06:37

Good luck op. Do not tip him off you're leaving. Just act normal til he is safely at work. Pack up as much as you can and leave before he gets home

Summerof85 · 09/03/2017 06:38

You are not allowed to hug your own son??!!. But he knew you already had a child when you got together obviously? Unfortunately you did not know this man as you got married so quickly, he would have been on his best behaviour at first. Think about your and your DC future. He sounds awful, the way he speaks to you. Flowers

FrutiFlutey · 09/03/2017 06:42

Glad to hear you're moving today, good luck to you all xx

TaliDiNozzo · 09/03/2017 06:42

This is as clear cut a LTB situation as I have ever read on here.

Well done OP, you need to get out for you and your DCs. Best of luck for your future.

BewtySkoolDropowt · 09/03/2017 06:44

If he moved in with you (and made you sell your furniture) how on earth is the tenancy in his sole name?

43percentburnt · 09/03/2017 06:47

Do not tell him you are going. Can family come round and help you leave?

I would tell my midwife everything and report to the police, this may be required to get legal aid going forward.

Good luck op, he sounds horrible, you deserve better. Expect his behaviour to turn to Mr Nice when you leave, there will be flowers and tear, declarations of undying love and mentions of soul mates. If you ignore Mr Angry will emerge, raging and threatening to go for full custody. Mr Reasonable will resume with concerns for your mental state and worry so about the children. Make extensive notes, communicate in writing. Call the police and get a restraining order at the first whiff of trouble. Report everything bad he says/does to the kids too.

He's not a good man and you and your kids need protecting. He doesn't allow you to cuddle your son. He is very abusive and cares not one shit about anyone other than himself. Coercive control and emotional abuse - report today.

ClopySow · 09/03/2017 06:48

I really hope you do get out today for the sake of your children.

dailystuck71 · 09/03/2017 06:51

Please leave OP. For all the reasons on the previous 4 pages. You and your kids deserve so much better.

Themoonthestars · 09/03/2017 06:55

Op, I don't have time to type a long reply, but I can tell you this is one of the worst things I've read, how old are you btw?

You need to leave and you need to leave before the baby is born.

I'm not saying it will be easy, but if you leave then things will get better, if you stay they'll definitely get worse.

You were vulnerable and you have unfortunately landed in another abusive relationship.

I'd suggest that you speak to women's aid urgently, speak to your midwife, make plans to escape perhaps to your family for the time being?

Don't tell him you're leaving because he'll either turn even nastier or he'll make lots of promises to change, which he won't keep.

Bananamanfan · 09/03/2017 06:56

Hope all goes well today, op

Themoonthestars · 09/03/2017 06:56

And yes, tell the police, tell everyone. Get help urgently.

melonribena · 09/03/2017 06:56

Thinking of you today. I have two small children. This has upset me, your poor little boy. I cuddle mine all day every day and you should be able to too. You are absolutely putting yourself and them first. What a strong person you are.
Go to your parents, cuddle your boy as much as you like and build a new happy life for both your children. They deserve it, you deserve it.

TomHardyswife · 09/03/2017 07:07

Feel sick at what I've read. What an absolute tosser.

Good luck OP... Be strong, please don't tell him youre leaving. Just get your stuff and go. Don't look back.

Thattimeofyearagain · 09/03/2017 07:14

You brave woman, go and don't look back. Flowers