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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder when to tell DH that enough is enough?

393 replies

Havethewishiwishtonight · 18/06/2018 10:41

My DH was always affectionate, funny and generally lovely to be around. Something changed a few months ago, he became withdrawn from me and family life in general, and I was (and still am) devastated. We've become just two people living in the same house, nothing more, nothing less.

Lots of things have been said, but if i ask him outright what the problem is, he won't say. First he said it was my attitude towards him, so i became more aware of that and changed - now everything's been fine for months. Next he said that he didn't feel appreciated by myself or the children - I told him of course he is, and we show him that in all the things we do for him and how much we love him.

Now everything has become about 'his money' and how I don't have a job. We have two young DC who have recently started school, one of whom has special needs and only attends part time. I do everything around the house, he doesn't lift a finger, as well as 95% of the childcare, even on weekends. My DS with special needs cannot be left in childcare so i am trying my hardest to find a job that is on certain days, and only within very specific hours (which is proving extremely difficult).

I find my DH very resentful of me. He resents that the children favour me, he resents that I am a sahm, even though I contribute just as much as he does to family life. He has withdrawn all affection, will not initiate sex, will not speak to me unless he has something to say. It is just devastating.

I just wonder whether when I get a job, it still won't be enough for him. Will there just be some other excuse why he can't make more effort and be my husband?

AIBU to wonder when enough is enough?

OP posts:
WowLookAtYou · 18/06/2018 20:51

"His" money?! Angry

What a cunt.

BlueEyedBengal · 18/06/2018 20:57

He is trying to beat you down with financial control. That is classed as Abuse. Keep all information, everything he does because he's up to no good . And insist on taking you children to school as this is isolating you and giving him the power to use against you.

BlueEyedBengal · 18/06/2018 21:00

Get any bank statements together you need information before he hides it from you. Keep calm don't let him know what you are up to.

Pleasebeafleabite · 18/06/2018 21:14

I am truly devastated...there are no words

I’m sure you’ll find some more OP

Jaqen · 18/06/2018 21:17

He's a cunt. Just leave.

MadMaryBoddington · 18/06/2018 21:20

Kick him out. How dare he speak to you like that.

eggncress · 18/06/2018 21:21

Don’t say anything for now OP. Use this time to do some snooping and to get copies of documents while his guard is down. Once you’ve done all that you can start to take some action.
That may be along the lines of discussion with him/ GP/ counselling or just say enough is enough and ask for a separation. At least if it does come to this you will be a step ahead of him.
I wouldn’t get a job as it will be stressful for your dc with special needs. Why should the child suffer? It’s probably nothing to do with that anyway. Something else has probably happened.

WowLookAtYou · 18/06/2018 21:25

When you're a family, there are three main roles that a couple needs to cover: earning money, taking care of the children and running the home. All are essential. All should have equal value. In theory, it doesn't much matter which of you does which, or in which combination, as long as you each appreciate the other's input.
It sounds as if your bastard of a husband has not got this memo, and is bigging himself up to be the "Big I am." Fortunately, my dh and I have always been on the same page as each other on it.

And what's with all these people banging on about the "stresses" of having a job and supporting a family. Isn't that what most of us do? But without all the drama?

timeisnotaline · 18/06/2018 21:38

Lots of good advice from others but you need to make sure immediately that the carers allowance goes into a bank account in your name and you are keeping it, not using it for basic food etc.

tracymars · 18/06/2018 21:43

Could he be suffering with depression? Depression doesn't just present itself as sadness. It can be feeling resentful, dissatisfaction, not acting like themselves etc. Try to get him to see a doctor and explain to them how he's feeling. They might refer him for counselling. Not saying that you should put up with shit behaviour. But if it can be made better before you decide to end things, it's worth a try.

ohtheholidays · 18/06/2018 21:53

Like I said in my previous post you need to start getting your ducks in a row OP.

He's lied to you about being at work and hidden something that he'd bought from another school Mum and insisted on taking the DC to school then I'd be guessing that's where he's met someone else.

He is showing you and telling you what a dick he is,you just need to start listening!

theredjellybean · 18/06/2018 21:53

Other woman... Definitely.
He was fine and lovely up until a few months ago...
Sorry OP... I'd be gathering financial details now, before he starts to stop joint accounts or your access etc.
I know you love the old him, and you don't want your children to think you didn't try but you can't try to fix something if onky one of you wants it fixed.
Don't do the pick me dance... Frankly you could become the prime minister over night and he'd not suddenly revert to your old dh.
It really really isn't about you... It's about him..

RomeoBunny · 18/06/2018 21:53

He's having an emotional affair and he's pissed off he's tied down instead of being able to pursue the woman he would otherwise have wanted to.

The days he comes home happy are the days he has met her or spoken to her or had coffee with her etc.

The days he takes it out on you and is particularly arseholey are the 'low after the high' days. When he can't speak to her, or she's gone away with her boyfriend, or whatever else would annoy him. He's then taking it out on you.

Make note of the days and you can probably figure out who she is or at least where she is quite easily from his work pattern.

HollowTalk · 18/06/2018 22:17

I agree with @RomeoBunny.

Look back at your diary/phone/emails, OP, to the period when your husband changed. I bet you'll find something there that you didn't notice at the time but was responsible for the change.

BrendasUmbrella · 18/06/2018 22:23

He is insisting on doing the school runs, and he wants you to go out and get any job asap. I have to agree with whoever mentioned it, I think he's getting advice from some men's divorce forum, or even from a solicitor, because he wants to divorce you and as he said himself, keep control of all the money.

madcatladyforever · 18/06/2018 22:26

When you bend over backwards for men I find they get all shitty. Women who are properly selfish and nasty to them get much more respect.

AnyFucker · 18/06/2018 22:27

Time to consult with a family solicitor

Don't waste any more time and energy engaging with him

He is talking shit with the "my money" rhetoric. He needs putting in his place. Find out your rights and stop crying over this dickhead. He has a nasty shock coming but you have to get your arse in gear.

dundermiflin · 18/06/2018 23:01

He's being abusive now op and you need an exit plan.

@PrincessCuntsuelaBananaHammock is correct, harsh is a dipshit. Just ignore.

colditz · 18/06/2018 23:05

He has said he's doing the school runs so that he can later claim you DON'T do the school runs so he shouldn't have to pay any maintenance.

His behaviour is very, very normal in the context of someone planning to divorce and keep their maintenance payments down. Belittling your contributions, taking over tasks that previously only you did, retaining 'control' of his money (and therefore preventing you from seeing how much there is).

You are their main carer. BE their main carer. DO everything you always have done and don't treat this sudden, single burst of interest as anything other as the malicious groundlaying of control that it is.

Your marriage is over and you both know it - he hasn't realised that you know it yet. Keep it that way.

Tangled59 · 18/06/2018 23:12

Are you alright OP?
Flowers

AcrossthePond55 · 19/06/2018 00:37

GET TO A SOLICITOR NOW!!!!! Don't try to reason things out with him anymore. Just get legal advice. A divorce isn't far off the horizon. But at this point it's a toss up as to who initiates it, him or you.

Do you have any access to any money at all?

BuenosAires · 19/06/2018 03:39

This screams Affair. I say that as a former divorce lawyer. It is not necessarily the actual 'behaviour' but the sudden behaviour change. When a mans behaviour suddenly and quite dramatically changes like this it is a massive red flag for affair.

When he is out at work go through and get copies of any financial documents you can find - even if they look old. You want as clear a financial picture you can find - as he will have to provide full disclosure during any divorce and you don't want him to 'accidentally' miss anything off.

Havethewishiwishtonight · 19/06/2018 09:00

Had a big chat/argument last night and got everything out at last. He says he feels unappreciated for working, resents that the dc favour me, resents that the dc don't know that he pays for all of our lives (they are 5 Hmm), said I am not contributing and I am selfish for not getting a job (even though he has never mentioned it up until a couple of weeks ago).

I told him that I was getting a job and would that then fix the problem? He thought about it for a second then said no, there are other things...

He said he is unhappy and it's not working out. I asked him if he loved me and he didn't want to answer. In the end, when pushed to answer, he said he didn't know. Maybe I'm being stupid but i really don't believe him...but he knows that by saying he doesn't know it just will make me jump through hoops more...

There is no OW, this is all about him and me. The goal posts have been moved here there and everywhere. Even if we sorted the practical things out, he then says that past arguments when I've sworn at him, etc (a couple of years ago) have left him damaged. There's his trump card....I can't fix things in the past can I?

I just feel lost.

OP posts:
Blaablaablaa · 19/06/2018 09:17

What a selfish, selfish man. Children don't need to know that 'daddy pays for everything' That's nothing but an ego trip on his part and would impact on your children's views and opinions on what is important. You should be presenting as a team.
Maybe the kids would 'favour' him more if he actually took on some of the caring responsibilities....but I'm guessing he views that as 'womens' work. He feels he deserves their adoration and respect just because he earns the money. Unfortunately for him, that's not how it works. Children don't care about money...they want time and affection.

I know is it's hard when you have children but I'd be tempted to leave him to his little pity party and carve out a lovely life for you and your children.

Loopytiles · 19/06/2018 09:28

Take back the control and end the relationship.