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Marriage Breakup

54 replies

Notwhatiexpected1 · 12/01/2020 10:45

I am posting here for traffic, This is going to be so long so I doubt I will get many responses, sorry in advance!!!! I have also commented on other threads so my story may be familiar and outing but I don't think my situation could get worse so....

Been with dh coming up to our 10 year anniversary but married for 3 years, 2 children, we are early 30s. Over the years we have both worked but have had some awfully skint times due to low wages, maternity leave, self employment work dryness! Husband has never been great with money, I suppose in the younger years we were both naiive so it wasn't such a problem but he would gamble and once took out against my will for what he said was 10 grand but it was actually 18 grand car finance, this was around 6years ago and the car broke and he had to give it back and ended up with years worth of debt that was actually written off around 4 months ago for 7 grand, it was such a relief! Anyway that's all in the past so I can't hold that against him. We ended up going on a break 2 years ago because the strain of being so skint got to us, his wage would never be what it was supposed to be, not always his fault as he was self employed but when he did get paid sometimes he would owe friends money, he is very Rob Peter to pay Paul, think of the now and not the consequences, bad money management and If I had money in a drawer I couldn't just leave it there as he would help himself, this was all years ago now and he has changed slightly. Over the years he's never been good at getting up, I understand he would want a lie in from tiredness at work at the weekend and we would take it In turns but sometimes he would be up at like 2 or 3 in the afternoon and I'd feel like a single parent, if I was at work dinner wasnt always ready for me although I would say I didn't fancy it sometimes, this sometimes feeling like he wasn't pulling his weight alot would lead me to not really being affectionate or making him feel loved and hardly any sex although it was at least once a week because i felt like I did most things around the house and then have to please my husband with not alot in return, where was the balance.

Now we actually love eachother soooo much, from the outside we look like the perfect family. We claimed some slight universal credits and due to him being so bad with money he would get a set allowance each month purely for himself, it would say online on universal credits what he had earned but he would confuse me and say he earnt much less than that even though it was staring me in the face of what he had got, so it turns out he had been keeping some money back to try and save for us, fair enough I thought I would give him a chance but then true to form he frazzled over a grand away.

We decided to move into his parents house a couple of months ago to save for a year for a house deposit as our rent and bills were so high, they let us live there for free, we were in a back room. Husband had smoked weed which I hate over the years away from us and the kids and over the months I never knew what is wage really was because he would lie about it and not show me his account as he'd owe money out for weed and the amount of financial silly lies I put up with was horrible but then it was nothing like huge credit cards just a few hundred each month, say there was 200 I put in the wardrobe to save he would say he had lent it to a friend at work and he would say he will give it me back to live on and then it would turn out he had made the whole thing up and just spent it etc and he said he was always scared to tell me because of how I react.

We managed to save around a thousand a month at his mums for a couple of months but I said if he lies anymore or speaks to me bad again I would leave so then another white lie happened about money a week ago so I got up took my rings off something that hurts him and I shouldn't have done it and left but I never thought it would come to actually getting divorced. In the last weeks he had stopped smoking weed, promised to stop lying and just try harder I feel like he was turning his life around and I've walked out just as it was getting good! The whole week he has thrown it in my face that I was the one who walked out and did this, I have felt awful even though I walked out due to his lies over the years and financial infedility! His mum and dad would always warn and say stop lying else you will end up on your own! I would have done everything to keep the marriage and family together even considered putting up with the lies so that the kids can have us together and the thought of splitting and not buying a house and not having family holidays was awful. I am now sleeping on an airbed at my mums house, sharing a bedroom with my sister with no marriage and no house, I've lost almost everything! His parents always picked the kids up from school while I worked so I don't see why this would change but I've had to pick them up on my lunch break from school to drop them to dh and his parents house and usually dh finishes work 10 mins later so he can have them and it's not straining his parents but he finished work an hour later the other day and he said his mum and dad were moaning about having my kids, their grandkids because they feel we have took the piss splitting up when they let us live there!! What has that got to do with my poor kids and them helping? They also have custody of another grandchild full time but begrudge having mine for 1 hour???

So after a week of me being on the floor distraught and husband sticking up for his mum saying how upset she is and how we have been bad after they gave up their house and him digging the knife in pushing through and stating how I've done this and we are breaking up he rings me to say that he is thinking of getting a car finance again and what's my opinion on if its a good deal, its £280 a month! I was upset and said obviously if he goes ahead it would rule out completely us getting together because we would be going back to financial shit every month again plus that could go towards a house deposit and he is making stupid money decisions as always the reason I left! But he went ahead and said he needs to be happy and what about what he wants.

So yesterday he has a complete u-turn and rings me saying he misses me and wants us to get back together, the car finance would be covered by his pay rise that he is getting and we could move back to his mums but we arent allowed any cupboard space now and have to live out of one bag and I need to apologise to his parents for any arguments me and dh had when we lived there. Now it's like dh has got his car and wants us all back? Only our wages will have a bug chunk taken for this car we only earn less than 30k joint! He justifies it by saying his payrise will cover it and I just feel like I have to put up and shut up but maybe he's right maybe I am stopping our family being together for his car when we could all be happy again but I feel like he's got what he wants and it's at our expense. I feel torn that he hasn't exactly racked up 20grands worth of debt on credit cards and we were saving money each month so what's my problem? He has lied over years/months about his wage due to him pankickign and having to cover up money he owes and getting a mess. He's like a child and immature but he loves us so much and if I just put up and shutup I could keep the family togetherxi suppose very one would be happy apart from me but I'm definately not happier without him I have nothing, waiting to go on a council list homeless!!

Please can someone advise what would you do??? Am I being selfish and risking my whole family life for the sake of a car?? Please just tell me! The pain of telling him I don't want that life was awful yday I felt so guilty to him and we could go back to normal and my kids be happy although we would be financially set back and we would never get a house now anyway due to his car finance and outgoings!! Help I'm so torn!!

OP posts:
DivGirl · 12/01/2020 10:50

What a mess.

Honestly? I think you need to stay separated. Sometimes loving someone and wanting it to work just aren't enough.

GreenTulips · 12/01/2020 10:53

God leave.your kids aren’t happy because you aren’t. They pick up on this crap. He won’t change.

You need to get rehoused with the kids and take control over your finances and children.

Look at benefits and ring the housing department.

He’s a controlling liar.

CakeandCustard28 · 12/01/2020 10:55

If your constantly going on breaks and getting back together I’m sorry but that’s not a real marriage. Stay separated.

MatildaTheCat · 12/01/2020 10:55

I’m exhausted reading all that. He’s untrustworthy and unreliable.

Unfortunately I would leave this marriage and strive to build a better life for yourself and your DC.

Notwhatiexpected1 · 12/01/2020 10:58

The car finance is for 4 years may I had at 280 a month. He is a nice person otherwise and we were happy aside from the money lies. I've lost my family over stupid money things and blame myself I could go back to it all just be poorer again!!

OP posts:
andyjusthangingaround · 12/01/2020 11:04

@Notwhatiexpected1 just leave!
You have responsibility and obligation to your kids. They deserve a stable home. It seems he shouldn’t be part of it... 💐 handhold

ohwheniknow · 12/01/2020 11:05

You think your kids are happy living in this toxic mess? You're kidding yourself.

He has treated you appallingly. What did you learn about relationships growing up for you to think this is ok or your fault?

Do you want your children to be treated like this by their future partners?

If you get back with him you'd be throwing your future away for misery.

BlueJava · 12/01/2020 11:08

I don't want to be harsh because I can see you are going through a lot. But I would like to correct one thing, you haven't lost your family over "stupid money things" and it's not your fault. He has lied constantly, not managed money properly, taken out finance several times and smoked drugs. His actions are the reason for this situation. I appreciate you may love him but it sounds like you are best off on your own, sorting your own finances out.

Retroflex · 12/01/2020 11:08

I honestly don't know why you are torn.

If you go back to him, you will be miserable, and it will only get worse when he is spending money that could and should be spent on your children!

This is emotional abuse! I highly recommend phoning your local woman's aid office and speaking with one of their workers.

You've done the right thing by leaving! You and your children will be much happier without the stress that man brings into your life...

CakeandCustard28 · 12/01/2020 11:09

He’s a nice person otherwise? When? You’ve basically posted tons of paragraphs of everything he’s done wrong.
Think of your children! They can’t be happy being in the middle of this mess, not knowing if they’re parents are going to be together one day and not the next! Ridiculous, if you have issues you work through them.. not constantly have “breaks”.

BlueLily89 · 12/01/2020 11:12

This sound very much like my grandparents. He would spend money like water. He frequently lost his job and didn’t tell my grandmother and would just go to the pub every day like he was working.my grandmother stayed with him for the kids but she regrets it. She loved him and he was a lovely man but the stress he caused with money was too much. Once the kids were grown she still didn’t feel she could leave him as she was worried about him looking after himself (she did everything).

He died a few years ago and of course she was heartbroken (we all were) but she said it has shown her that she should have left him decades ago as she feel like she’s finalling living after all those years of stress. As a PP said sometimes being in love just isn’t enough. He never changed in 80 years despite numerous brief spells of trying and I think it’s unlikely your DH will ever change either.

So sorry you are going through this

GabriellaMontez · 12/01/2020 11:12

How could you ever trust this man? Stay away.

MrHaroldFry · 12/01/2020 11:13

Walk away for the sake of your children. Ask council or LA about housing. Give your children stability and a home of their own.
This 'relationship' is toxic and dysfunctional. Your children don't deserve the fall out from your inability to put them
First!

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 12/01/2020 11:15

He is a nice person otherwise and we were happy aside from the money lies. I've lost my family over stupid money things and blame myself

He's really done a number on you hasn't he? He's actually got you thinking this is all your fault Sad

It's not just "stupid money things" that led you to walk out. This is clearly about more than just money. It's about more than just a car. It's about him putting his own wants above your children's security and stability. It's about his selfishness. It's about his drug use. It's about the fact that he has lied to you again and again and again. It's about the fact that he refuses to grow up and act like a responsible adult.

I'm sorry but he's not going to change.

Babooshkar · 12/01/2020 11:17

For godsake leave this utter lying cretin, he’s pathetic.

madcatladyforever · 12/01/2020 11:19

Dear OP
You cannot see the wood for the trees and this is obvious by your very long post where you are overthinking everything.
He is a feckless husband and father and you have zero future with this man.
He is a liar who has had many chances to reform his lying and endless spending and has not done so.
I earn more than both of you put together and spent a whole month looking for car finance that is affordable and am paying £120 a month for a four seater car so that I can pay all my bills and help my adult son out as he is trying to buy his first home.
Does your husband EVER think about your needs or the kids needs - no he doesn't. He only thinks about his needs and has done all the time you have been together.
He will never ever change and you will never own a house as he will always lie and spend the money.
You will be much happier on your own with the kids, get single parent housing sorted out and leave him for good.
You will be so much happier and all of your problems will disappear. I've been in the same situation and would never go back to a man like this.

Cuppa2sugars · 12/01/2020 11:24

I’d give him an ultimatum. You stay separated, but friends until he can prove he’s financially stable. It seems to be money that’s the ultimate problem here. So stay away for say, a year, you can still see him but be firm and be financially independent yourself.

Hepsibar · 12/01/2020 12:08

Please dont go back. He is unable to change and will always be unreliable in some way. Please use this time to get yourself sorted out so you can live with your children.

Notwhatiexpected1 · 12/01/2020 13:37

Thankyou so much for all of your replies! I've read them all twice! And yes my first post was very long sorry for that, I suppose I am just torn because I feel like I can't see clearly and I take marriage really seriously and wouldn't want to make the wrong decision. The kids adore their dad and he is a good dad and it's hard because I am not this abused wife where he is awful to me, aside from his childish bad money management he doesn't put me down and he does try, he isn't malicious and has a nice nature but it's like hes immature and cannot trust himself with money!

He has always felt he isn't good enough for me and that I treat him like a child as he has to have this allowance away from main money. I have also questioned if I am right or wrong because at his parents we were saving over a grand a month so what's my problem?! I think it's because we could have saved a slight bit more and he would say that he will prove to me he is telling the truth about his wage by getting me mini statements etc (as it changed every month due to overtime etc) which I didn't want to treat him like that but then he would say a different figure as he always owed abit out or wanted to keep abit extra.

I also feel like he was JUST on the brink of changing, he had quit that disgusting habit, he promised he would stop lying too etc and then I walked out! So I feel guilty. But in the week we have been broken up he has gone and took out a 12 grand car finance??? As he says we are over and obviously can do what he likes with his money but I was disappointed because it backed up the reasons I have left and warned him it rules out getting back together as why should we be one minute saving for a house and then next go back to 280 a month going on a car! He jusitifes it by saying his overtime will cover it so that also makes me question if I'm wrong.

Just to add as much as we sound like some rough vile family, we are not we worked, didn't have blazing rows and I'm actually stuck up to any type of drugs!

Thanks for your replies and I need to hear them my mum and sister completely agree with you all I just feel like I could change all this and keep my nice family together but now I'm on an airbed practically homeless and I'm not gonna have anymore without him than I would with and I just want the kids to be happy and felt like not being a family would be worse because as I said we were a nice normal family otherwise

OP posts:
GinNotGym19 · 12/01/2020 13:45

I would leave now whilst you are separated. There’s no joint assets like a mortgage to split and he hasn’t changed! I think now is probably the best time to go through with it.
Him taking out car finance proved he’s never going to change! This will be so much messier if you get back together then get a mortgage and decide to split in a few years.
If you go on entitled to website it will give you an idea of how much UC you’d be entitled to on your own and how much you’d get towards housing benefit.
I separated from my stbxh a year ago and it is really hard but very worth it!

MrsNatureValley · 12/01/2020 13:54

He will keep you poor and stressed forever.
You might love him but the relationship is not working. He will not change. You could be living a comfortable lifestyle right now with sound assets for the future, if your partner had been better with money.
Plus he's dishonest.
I have been where you are. The resentment and rage still bubble over if I let them.

Notwhatiexpected1 · 12/01/2020 13:54

Can I also add I am not a perfect wife, I probably could have been happier and bubblier etc and shown him more love, I feel abd just putting it all on him. When he was good to me and honest it would make me happier etc I have regret that I could have done more

OP posts:
MrsNatureValley · 12/01/2020 14:01

I have read your post again and am feeling stressed on your behalf. He has you where he wants, feeling like you have to put up and shut up. It is his fault that you are in this situation and are having to choose between an air bed and living out of a bag with no cupboard space (it doesn't sound like you and your family are really wanted at that house).
I hope you don't take offence at this but it might help you see things clearly- What kind of example are you giving your children by going back, putting up and shutting up?
Is the relationship one that you would want for a friend or indeed your own child in future?
You love each other but he has failed you as a husband and has not made you happy.

Frenchw1fe · 12/01/2020 14:09

You husband abused your trust every single day. You don't have to be hit or gaslighted to be abused. He doesn't live in the real world.
Also how has he got car finance if you've just had a debt written off?
No way would he have a decent credit rating. I'd be wanting answers about that.

Notwhatiexpected1 · 12/01/2020 14:33

No honestly I can take the harshness! It's like I'm blinded and just keep wanting to stick up for him and make excuses, I never used to class myself as a weak person and would roll my eyes at women who were treated bad but it's because I don't want to make out he was just awful and I'm this poor victim, I could have been better! And I question everything because it's not like he had secret credit cards and we were saving a substantial amount every month?? So is it me?!! I think the thing is we had enough in life but we could have had more had he made better money choices. I know now he hates me slightly I've just dropped the kids to him and I feel guilt that I could have made it all go back to normal but of course he's happy now he's got his car! Every month when we write down the bills I'm just gonna feel annoyed at writing down 280 for a flash car! What about a better quality of life that could have gone on or more savings towards a deposit. I know I sound annoying and I'm not even a walk over but other this we were a good family, he never blew all the rent money, we always had bill money, he worked hard and tried but it's like any extra money we could have had was kept on greed or selfishness. I just feel awful,as if I'm greedy and shallow.

Someone mentioned above about my childhood well my mum was a single parent due to my dad getting a horrendous mental illness which I found out about a few years ago so that massively affected me and I brought it into my family and dh supported me loads but I suppose I could have not let it affect us so much. So I think I felt lucky my children had a dad around like I didn't and wanted them to have that strong family unit something I wasn't used to, it's like I loved them having a dad! Hence why I stay and of course I want the best for them I just didn't think they would pick up on the ins and outs of our finances and I could keep that from them

OP posts:
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