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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think husband is out of order?

65 replies

itsmonday · 12/09/2019 09:17

We've had a rough few years. I personally think he's had a hard time adjusting to fatherhood. He would disagree. He's a great dad but I think its a shock to him that he is expected to be considerate of his time now. Previously he done what he liked and didn't consider me in his plans so this is a big change for him. Anyway he has been bad tempered, moody, tried to gaslight me, always having wee digs and just generally been unsupportive since the baby was born 2 years ago. Iv tried to discuss it with him but I didn't actually realise what the problem was until a few months ago. I was oblivious to their being bigger issues and just thought we were having normal fights, he isn't very good at vocalising his issues and never wants to chat about anything. Things would be ok for a while then drastically take a turn. I arranged a few date days for us (we struggle for a babysitter so this was a big deal) he turned me down in favour of going out with a friend. He left me at Christmas and said he didn't want this anymore, leaving me at my mums where we spent Xmas and he went home on his own. I put him out the house last year for a week but he complained he had nowhere to go (doesn't speak to his family) and when he returned he had a go at me as he had no money. We have separate bank accounts. He has had issues with me bringing in a bigger wage as I worked so much overtime then didn't share it with him - the money was put aside as spending money for a holiday he booked and also paid for Xmas/birthdays. He never pays for presents for anyone or buys the toddler anything. He pays half the bills and puts petrol in the car. The rest is on me. He has accused me of prioritising work over family but encourages me to work OT as we need the money. He says I moan and nag all the time but admits he doesn't do very much cleaning or to a decent standard when he does. Iv asked him countless times to come and sit and talk when things have been really bad and he has refused. He once did talk by wouldn't sit down and stood instead with his arms folded and a scowl on his face. I feel like he's a teenager while I'm trying to have a nice marriage and the two don't go. Iv always been the one to initiate a conversation to get us back on track and when I can see he's making a slight effort I soften and let him brush things aside instead of talking about them. His favourite thing to do.

A few months ago I literally begged him to tell me why he was in a mood and the look in his eyes was of hate. I got on the first flight to my mums with the toddler and stayed there for over a week. He barely contacted me. He came over to visit the toddler and when I done the drop off he asked me to come out for the day as well, said no you spend the day but he didn't have a car so asked if I could drive them. He made small talk and it ended with us being 'back together' but he made no apology, no promises and whilst I wasn't looking for any dramatics, he didn't really have his tail between his leg or seem that bothered. Things just carries on as normal.

He accused me of needing counselling when the baby was months old, I was horrified and realise now this was him gaslighting me along with other things he has done. I have since agreed we both need marriage counselling and he admitted that he needs it more as he knows he has issues. I have tried to book it for us several times but he's cancelled and promised things will be great. Well they aren't.

A few weeks ago I could feel things changing again and his attitude, patience and demeanour were off. We had a silly argument about something which ended in him screaming at me that he was so fucking bored of me, you bore the fuck out of me stop talking I can't stand you. This is his go to line when he's ending the marriage altho he's never had the balls to say that. He thinks we should just live in the same house but Iv not to tell him what to do (tidy up his own mess is all I ever ask of him!) so I stopped talking to him. Childish yes but it feels like my only option. I'm refusing to cave and be the one who sorts this mess out again. If he wants to chat I am more than willing. Iv not cooked, shopped or washed his clothes for him. I'm carrying on as normal for the toddler but we're in separate rooms.

So AIBU to not speak? He's not spoken to me either for the record. If he asks to chat I'm fully up for it but I don't want to be the one sorting this mess again coz every time I do it never works and he acts like a stroppy teenager who has been given another chance but doesn't appreciate it. He's quite entitled in all aspects of his life and very stubborn although all these attributes he will try to pin on me, he constantly tries to bring me down and has told me my family think the same of me for years. I gathered the courage to discuss this with my family and they were horrified. My sister said this is mental/emotional abuse and I was so grateful for her confirmation that I'm not this monster he has made me think I am for years. He doesn't speak to his own family for pretty much the same reasons as he isn't speaking to me at the minute. Too much effort and he thinks he's right all the time.

So now he seems to be getting his back up more and more that I'm not communicating. But he is doing more cleaning and looking after the toddler than ever. This won't continue tho, he always does this when we fall out.

What happens from here. Do I keep ignoring him until he wants to have a proper chat? Do I let my marriage fizzle out because of this? Do I have any right to put him out the house? If I could move back with family I would but it's another country, I'd lose my job and want to secure work there first before making that move - which will be a whole new world of pain when he tries to fight me on it.

Sorry for how long this is. I suppose I just wanted it all down. Iv posted lots lately as I'm seriously lonely, confused, Fed up, pissed off, hurt... thanks for reading if you did.

OP posts:
JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 12/09/2019 09:23

Oh fuck that shite. I was exhausted just reading this. Let the marriage go. He will wear you down to a stump OP. Get out now.

Lagatha · 12/09/2019 09:28

Just give up. He's a manchild.
Make a plan and leave him.

LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag · 12/09/2019 09:34

Fuck that OP. It sounds exhausting living with him! I think you know that this marriage can't continue, now is the time to consult a lawyer and get a divorce started. The longer you stay the unhappier you'll be.

itsmonday · 12/09/2019 09:34

Thanks both. I suppose I know I need to leave him but I just don't know how and didn't think I'd be doing this.

He's 7 years older than me. I thought he could handle this.

How do I leave? I want to take the toddler back to my mums with me but he will put up a fight. The reality is we live in This country with no family as he doesn't speak to his. My toddler goes to nursery and then home. Doesn't spend time with other people who love him but husband thinks he should stay here as he is there. I want out but I don't know how to get these ducks in a row that everyone talks about!

OP posts:
BeepBeeeep · 12/09/2019 09:35

Pack bags for you and your child.
Book flight to your mum's.
Stay at mums while winging a divorce petition to him.
Life's too short to piss about with someone like him.

Babdoc · 12/09/2019 09:37

Another vote for leave the bugger.
Honestly OP, what on Earth are you actually getting out of this marriage?
Which of your needs is he meeting? Any?
He sounds like bloody hard work for no return. Does he even like you, never mind love you? The guy is a shit, and he’s taking out his issues on you, whatever they are.
He shouldn’t be in a relationship at all until he’s had some serious counselling (alone) and dine some hard work on his attitudes and entitlement. He sounds a spoiled brat of a man child.
Youwould be vastly happier without him, and you certainly shouldn’t be letting your child see this as a role model of a marriage.
Find your self respect and anger, and chuck him out.

dowehaveastalker · 12/09/2019 09:39

Why are you still with someone like this? Have some respect for yourself and your child, leave him. Don’t let your child see how he treats you. And stop giving in to him, he’s a bully.

TurtleCavalryIsSeriousShit · 12/09/2019 09:39

Nope. So many nopes!

This will never change. Absolutely never, no matter what he says.

You need to now make a plan to get rid of him. Gray rock him, don't do anything for him (like you're doing already). Hate the saying, but get your ducks in a row.

Do NOT listen to him. If he tries to gaslight you or tell you that you are breaking up the family, just have a stock phrase ready and repeat every time. Something like. "I've tried to fix us for x-amount of years. I have done enough." Rinse and repeat. Or just "Whatever" will also do.

I'll repeat, DO NOT LISTEN TO HIM OR BELIEVE ANYTHING HE SAYS.

ShimmeryShiny · 12/09/2019 09:41

I honestly think you should call time on the relationship and kick him out! You be the one to do it and don't take him back!

Chloemol · 12/09/2019 09:43

Just pack everything you want to take up and get it sent to your mothers, get the flights booked and go. Then set up a new life at/near your mothers. If he wants to see the child he can do so, at your mothers. Get a solicitor and get divorce proceedings started. You deserve better

MrsMozartMkII · 12/09/2019 09:43

Life is too bloody short for this.

You've given so many chances and options. He's not interested or he's incapable. Either way, it's no way for anyone to live.

Finances
Home / accommodation
Paperwork (passports, bank statements, payslips, etc.)

Off to your mum's. Take a break from this yo-yo-ing insanity.

Lahlahfizzyfizzydoda · 12/09/2019 09:46

If your family live in another country, then it would classed as kidnapping if you went to live there....

There, is however nothing stopping you from saving for deposit and moving out with your son (especially if you think he won’t leave).

He’s an arsehole and l wouldn’t want my DC raised with his toxic behaviour!

redastherose · 12/09/2019 09:49

Op separation and divorce are inevitable but don't do what pp's have said and leave the country you live in, you would be treated as having abducted your child and put yourself in the wrong.

NigesFakeWalkingStick · 12/09/2019 09:50

This sounds remarkably familiar to my now defunct relationship with my sons father. Living with him was a constant battle of chaos and conflict. I was always in the wrong, except he would talk and then say I was right and he would try, but work would take preference over absolutely everything and before long the same arsehole came out of the woodwork. He was completely incapable of being a nice, normal human being at home. Everywhere else he was a pillar of community but he reserved all his shit for his home life.

I chucked him out. He was having an effect on every aspect of my life, my mental health, my physical health, my ability to see things clearly, my sons life, his elder sons life. He's turned things around moderately and I can be in some parts civil to him but if he's ever having a bad day I soon know about it if he's anywhere near me.

Book those flights. Get your paperwork in order. Seek comfort with those around you and don't gloss over your husbands behaviour, let them see him for the piece of shit he is. It's massively liberating, for years I pretended things were harmonious and even took the hit over my ex for shortcomings or arguments because I didn't want people judging. My ex also has a tense relationship with his family. It's all his own doing.

DriftingLeaves · 12/09/2019 09:51

Get out now. He's an awful cunt.

itsmonday · 12/09/2019 10:06

Thank you all.

I don't want to jeopardise any future custody with my son so don't want to just take him. I also don't want to just walk out of my job in to nothing. I want to show (to him, the courts, to everyone) that I'm providing and I have thought this decision through.

My plan was to seek a new job at my mums and then move. That's my only hurdle at the minute but then of course there's him stopping me taking my son.

He will say he's nowhere to go and no money to live alone. I would be in a position to afford the house and bills alone altho it would be hard. I get that he's no money to live alone and while I don't care and it's not my problem I physically can't make him move. He isn't violent but he won't go and I can't make him.

OP posts:
Stressedout10 · 12/09/2019 10:17

His money or lack of it is NOT your problem.
Apply for a job at your mums address then file for a divorce and serve him on your way out

NearlyGranny · 12/09/2019 10:17

Your marriage has fizzled out, though, hasn't it?

You're stuck with a man who resents you but wants you to stick around because he likes what you provide. A man who blames you for being too work focussed but pushes you to do overtime. A man who wants to live separate lives in the same house, thus trapping you in a loveless marriage and blocking you finding love in the future with anyone else. A man who emotionally abuses you with gaslighting.

The key moment for me was the hate in his eyes. There's no mistaking that.
Counselling is not going to help here: he simply doesn't want to communicate. If you try, I think it will be papering over the cracks to preserve his comfortable way of life which, face it, isn't even making him happy!

Do you own your house? That's a big consideration. If you go back to your family abroad, will you find equivalent work and be able to support your child? Would you need your husband's consent to take your child to live abroad and would he give it?

Do you want to live close to your family or continue the life and career you have built in the UK?

You have some hard thinking ahead with lots of choices, but I don't think staying married to this man is one.

Good luck with it all.

itsmonday · 12/09/2019 10:21

Yes we own the home with a joint mortgage. We live in a country in the UK and my family live in another country in the UK but I'm sure the law still wouldn't allow me to make that move.

I can get similar work, yes I could have a job tomorrow but I'd like to get a half decent job with similar pay to what I'm on now. It makes me so sad that I'd be back to living in my mums spare room with a toddler though.

It certainly isn't my problem he has no money to move but I cannot make him move as in I have asked him previously but he won't go!

OP posts:
fairislecable · 12/09/2019 10:22

If you ensure you have a job to go to and just take the child ( yes I know it’s wrong) it puts him on the back foot.

Will he be bothered to sort out legally getting his child back.

Don’t tell him anything, do your planning and saving, your inner knowledge of your future plans will spur you on and put the power in your own hands.

Span1elsRock · 12/09/2019 10:29

You need to stop thinking about what he thinks/feels/is going to do.

This is about you and your DC. Nothing else. Think of their childhood and the misery you are currently inflicting on them.

Stop with the "I can't....." and try "I am going to....."

TheMustressMhor · 12/09/2019 10:37

I would get some legal advice before going back to your mum's.

OP I (eventually) left a very similar man. I took my two DC and stayed in my sister's spare room with them. I hear you when you say that you don't like the idea of being in your mum's with your DS.

But it won't be forever. Eventually you'll find somewhere else to live and your life will be so much easier than it is now.

I wouldn't be surprised if your husband didn't care particularly if you took your DS and just left.

Cut your losses. It sounds like your family is supportive. That's a big plus.

Shoxfordian · 12/09/2019 10:39

Speak to a solicitor as soon as you can
Maybe call women's aid for advice too

Nonmerci · 12/09/2019 10:45

I don’t think the law can stop you moving miles away within the same country. All a court can do is insist he gets access usually EOW and maybe one week day too. They can’t tell you where to live (provided you’re not going abroad of course), you don’t need to stay where you are now at all.

Anyway, I agree with PP that the post was exhausting to read so I can’t imagine how you feel actually living like this. He is a total wanker and you must know you deserve a lot more than this in life. I would get job hunting close to your Mum’s and go live there if he refuses to leave.

His finances are not your problem, your marriage is dead.

Sparklfairy · 12/09/2019 10:46

we own the home with a joint mortgage. We live in a country in the UK and my family live in another country in the UK but I'm sure the law still wouldn't allow me to make that move

I'm not a lawyer but you're both in the UK?! So like Wales and Scotland you mean? I don't see how you leaving would be an issue. You're going to family as it's you're only option. It's not like you're fleeing to Australia.

Get advice from cab or similar but I think you're overthinking this aspect of I've read it correctly

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