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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I end my marriage?

70 replies

alb647 · 09/07/2018 08:39

Been married a year and im already thinking of divorce. My DH ruined our first anniversary by going on a 3 day bender with his friend (let alone ruined fathers day too - I had booked a meal for my Father but cancelled as I was so angry at DH) and staying in another town without a hint of telling me what he was doing. No text or call etc then wondered why I was fuming with him - it was my fault because I wasn't there waiting for him to come home completely drunk. This is the tip of the iceberg but I wont bore you with all the other problems we seem to be having. That was 2 weeks ago. We argued on Saturday just gone, I apologised for my part in that argument, he went "fishing" with that same friend yesterday and hasn't come home again. No call or text etc. I dont even bother calling anymore because I know where he is and what he is doing (getting wasted!). It has happened so many times I have lost count. He doesn't learn and I am just completely fed up with the whole relationship and just want to tell him to move out but feel ashamed at being a failure after 1 year of marriage. Please help. I have tried everything, to being nice and talking to him, to screaming at him. Nothing works and I am losing all faith in us. When he does turn up he will manipulate it to be my fault for causing an argument on Saturday. Fed up of constantly arguing with him. What should I do?

OP posts:
alligatorsmile · 09/07/2018 09:58

Why should YOU feel guilty that HE's not earning? He still manages to find money for 3-day drinking benders. He's telling you loud and clear what his priorities are, and you do not have to put up with being in last place every time just because of convention or embarrassment. He's the one that should be embarrassed!

TakeMeToKernow · 09/07/2018 10:01

He's a cocklodger as well? Urgh. Don't be embarrassed OP, but remind yourself itself that you deserve better than this. You can be properly happy.

Mine lasted 7 months. People's reactions were... surprising. Be prepared that even those who love you (and will ultimately stick by you) may not actually agree with your choice.

Good luck tonight x

wishywashy6 · 09/07/2018 10:05

Sounds like he‘s got a serious problem with alcohol. This will not get better, in fact it will only get worse, unless he decides to do something about it, and who knows how long that will be, if ever. I speak from experience because my ex-husband was an alcoholic, who would never admit he had a problem, even after losing his job for frequent, alcohol-related absences. The drink will always be more important than you. You’re worth more than that. Swallow your pride and make an appointment with a family law solicitor. You‘re young enough to meet someone who will put you first. Remember, he‘s the one with the problem, not you.

Sounds exactly like my ex-boyfriend. He lost jobs because he'd not bother turning up either due to being too hungover or because he was on a bender but because he could then go a few days/ weeks without touching a drop he'd never admit he had a problem. When it came to it though, drinking was the most important thing in his life. He'd have a few weeks of being ok, and then it was like the urge got the better of him and no matter what else he had planned (work, arrangements with me/ family etc) going on a bender came first. We hadn't been together that long in the scheme of things (about 18 months) but there was no chance I was wasting any more time on him.

I'm glad I got out when I did, we never lived together and I'm so thankful I didn't let him get close to my kids. You'll be glad too when you're out of it OP.... good luck!

MumW · 09/07/2018 10:06

Flowers Good luck. Definitely time to call it quits. Stay strong and remember he doesn't deserve you and you deserve someone who will love and cherish you.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 09/07/2018 10:07

In bed drunk at 4.30pm? He has a serious alcohol problem, and it's not going to get any better unless (a) he wants to get sober - and it sounds like he doesn't, and (b) he hits rock bottom.

Leave, while you still have your sanity.

LotusInspired · 09/07/2018 10:09

My husband was similar to yours but without the alcohol part. Now, I can say he has changed (7 years on) think it maturity kicking in and the possibility that o might walk. Men take a much longer time to mature than women unfortunately. Flowers

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 09/07/2018 10:11

He's telling you what he is...

He's really not interested in being married it seems.... He's continually being respectful. He continually pushing you into position of little wifey waiting at home....

Don't let it get worse..choose your future!!

springydaff · 09/07/2018 10:12

No I don't think he is an alcoholic to be fair -

This astounds me -what on earth do you think is an alcoholic if you don't think he's an alcoholic?

Of course he's an alcoholic!

There's a lot of denial in addiction - and there can be a lot of denial in the people around addicts.

Go to Al-Anon at your earliest.

oh and get rid. He will never change Sad

ChasedByBees · 09/07/2018 10:15

As someone says above, as you’re married, could the house be a marital asset? Although you’ve not been married long. I would get some legal advice.

TheLionRoars1110 · 09/07/2018 10:16

You sound like you have your head screwed on OP. The longer you leave it the worse the separation will get.

Go and see a solicitor asap about the finances. You wouldn't want him manipulating you about that too.

Lotus - just because your husband took longer to mature does not mean all men do. This guy is just telling OP who he really is. Best to accept it and move on.

Earthwindnfiya · 09/07/2018 10:19

3 day bender? Sounds like there is definitely more than just alcohol involved there OP, I don't know many people that can stay up and out for three days on alcohol alone. You say he would be pissed by 4:30pm, does he work at all? You need to speak to him about this or leave because it isn't going to get better, its just going to spiral out of control and those 3 day benders will turn into a 7 day a week habit.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/07/2018 10:36

Good on you for being strong. His inability to hold down a conventional job absolutely isn’t your responsibility. Absolutely let him go and live with his mates or wherever he goes. He may well spiral down. Again you can no longer be his crutch.

amateursleuth · 09/07/2018 11:10

It doesn't sound like a goer but can I just ask: why did you marry him a year ago if he's been like this for so long? Whose idea was it to get married?

curlywurlyjo · 09/07/2018 11:14

I think you should pack his stuff up for him, leave them at the front door, tell him it's over & you want him to leave, you've been unhappy lonely for a long time now & am not prepared to carry this on any further.

Don't worry about where he lives next, that's his problem not yours. He can go back to his parents, friends, uncles, grandparents, b&b.

He failed you, he's not been your partner in any shape or form, so don't continue to be one for him.
Once he's gone you'll be upset & hurt (nowt new) but you'll feel a huge weight being lifted from your shoulders.
I remember feeling like I was the mother 3 kids not 2. ... he's a grown man, he decides when to come home, when not, when to put everything and everyone before you so he can jolly well find himself somewhere to go.

I knew my ex wouldn't leave & make life awful for me, so I packed his stuff up and took it to his mums.

Then rang him, said I'm done, he's moved out & I gave nothing more to say, I'd tried for too long to make the marriage work but I was the only one & now it's over & I'll be filing for divorce.

I got the occasional nasty text message but I mostly ignored them. ... he wanted to talk & I had nothing more to say, so I didn't.

He sees the kids once a month if can be arsed, my oldest don't want to know him & my youngest ain't to fussed either.
He's not changed in the last 10 years, probably worse now.

I on the other hand am in a great relationship now with a lovely caring man, who is not a drinker (the occasional beer after a hard week), is a great step dad and I'm so happy.

Don't be scared of being alone, you have to close one door for another to open. I promise you, your doing the right thing!!

inlectorecumbit · 09/07/2018 11:42

You are not the failure in the marriage-he is. Man child game playing alcoholic.
How is he funding his "game playing" ?

allthefuckery · 09/07/2018 11:50

LTB

OliviaStabler · 09/07/2018 12:41

No I don't think he is an alcoholic to be fair

Actually I rather think he is or at least alcohol dependent. Just because he can go for a period of time without drinking, does not mean he does not have a serious problem.

springydaff · 09/07/2018 13:22

What is the difference between alcoholic and alcohol dependant?

Precisely nothing. One and the same.

curlywurlyjo · 10/07/2018 12:56

How did it go?

Ethylred · 10/07/2018 15:08

Reread what you've written just to remind yourself of the situation.
Then go and don't look back.

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