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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dont feel like I can stand my DH anymore.

100 replies

Apirateslifeforme · 11/03/2020 22:05

I think we might be reaching the end of "our" road.
I've stood by him during a point where he lost a business because he couldn't be bothered to work, I paid all bills and took care of the family. I stood by his side whilst he was made bankrupt. I even stupidly stayed when he caused us to get evicted.
Anything weve ever done I've found most of the money for, holidays, usually mostly paid for by me, our wedding, mostly paid for by me, household furniture, ditto.
It's got to the point where If i want to do something, want to buy something, want to have anything, it becomes an argument. I feel like I diplomatically have to explain why I want it. Even down to buying a pack of chicken poppers yesterday for 79pence.
I've realised in myself recently, if I have to buy something, I look for the very cheapest option almost as if i can then explain that its something I need/needed, but I've done my best to ensure that it's as cheap as possible...I'm talking anything at all.
My confidence has been so diminished in this relationship that there isnt anything that doesnt cause significant anxiety. I mean, I have anxiety anyway, but i fear the criticisms that will come if I load the dishwasher whilst hes around, I cant paint anywhere, because he will find a problem, I don't like to drive with him in the car, because I know he will criticisize me, he even does it about my cooking a lot of the time.

Right now I'm out of work mostly because my MH has been quite bad. I've recently been put on an OCD therapy course. Which I cannot go to because I cant justify the money to park.

He has created a lot of problems recently.
Hes started sneaking around and buying trainers to sell. I asked him a few weeks not to do it because he hasn't controlled money very well recently and I keep going cap in hand to my dad for money. He isnt a well off man, so I feel like shite going to ask because he needs the money, but I find myself with no access to money, and I often cannot afford the money for DDs school lunches.
Hes not paying our priority bills, and hes continually getting parking tickets for parking like a twat and doesnt pay the fines so hes recently got himself a CCJ.
He tried to quit his job a few weeks ago,
Then he was stood down. He refuses to call people back about work they've offered him. So essentially he is without work, without a pot to piss in at the moment.
When I was pointing out that were in a state and he needs to get serious about his money management he told me to fuck off.

Tonight he was called, and offered a job. It's not paid as well as he is usually paid, but enough for our expenses and some to save. He refused the job because the rate was "offensive"

Meanwhile, I'm trying to find a job, have been for a while, I think a lot of why im unsuccessful is im a massive bundle of nerves and I have no confidence at all.

I cant stand to be around him right now.

I've spent so long figuring out what we could save, how we could ensure there is money set aside for a rainy day, yet he squanders it. Usually on take aways during the day, and clothes and trainers, which he lies about. I'm not even talking normal trainers, I'm talking about expensive collectable sorts of trainers for a couple of hundred £ a time.

He knows what state things are in, but he just cant motivate himself to be in the real world.
Before the trainers it was gambling, before that it pornography. Not in the normal sense really, more in the watch every morning and we wouldn't have sex for weeks and weeks.

Hes always been focused that if he had more money things would be better, but he earns a rather large amount of money. I dont go out buying things. If me or DD need anything, and I do mean need, its bought grudgingly from Primark because i am always concerned that hes going to start.

OP posts:
BobbyBlueCat · 11/03/2020 23:52

Please protect your child from this fuckwittery and get out. They deserve more.

springydaff · 11/03/2020 23:53

Call your local Women's Aid. They will gently help and support you through the process.

You must get rid. Your posts are very upsetting. He has worn you right down. 😢

You're made of strong stuff and could have the loveliest life without him in it. ANYTHING would be better than this, love.

Do it for your girl if you struggle to do it for you. Contact Women's Aid, tell your GP what is happening so it's on record.

Thinking of you very much, sending love Flowers

Zebracat · 11/03/2020 23:55

Please please get rid. No one could endure this and remain healthy. Your health will improve once it is over. Women’s Aid will help you. This is abuse.

DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 12/03/2020 00:02

Please, please leave.

This level of financial control is not normal. You shouldn’t have to live like this.

Speak to women’s aid and get a plan sorted. They’ll help you with everything you need to do, including applying for benefits etc.

You are already clearly brilliant at spending very little so you will be fine without him. Better off, even. Your daughter will get free school meals for starters.

LorenzoStDubois · 12/03/2020 00:07

He'll pull you down with him, if you don't leave him.
What a colossal loser he is.

Apirateslifeforme · 12/03/2020 00:07

I've had a few reasons for staying, stupidly, I've loved him, and I've wanted so badly to see that he loved me back. Honestly I've known for years that he couldnt have ever loved me to have put me in the position where I'm crying down the phone to everyone who ever has any dealings with us financially, when hes swanning around living a very different life to the one I lead. I spend my time at home too scared to put the heating or anything else on whilst he and DD are out. I'm aware of not using money up. Realistically hes earning the equivalent of two decent wages, theres no reason I should be living like this.

I've also felt like every time I've felt strong enough to leave something happens. I got fed up and made changes, set up a little business, got my driving licence. Told him I wanted him to leave repeatedly. I wanted to stay in the house I lived in at the time because I could afford it and the landlord accepted some Housing benefit top ups, except he stopped paying full rent when I started driving (I was giving him my wages minus food shopping money) and when the landlord rightly wanted to evict me, I had no choice but to rely on the "help" he offered in finding the house we currently live in. It's too much for me to ever afford. I could never keep up with the rent, and the landlord doesn't accept HB at all.
If I had anyone to turn to at the time, I really wouldn't have been here with him.
I've been considering for months now seeing if I could get a job if I could even rent a room in a house with DD which sounds so irresponsible but it would be better than being here.

I dont really have anyone else apart from my dad. I dont have friends or anything.

I am so sorry to read about other people's experiences, I'm so sorry.

I'm not sure I can call womens aid, I feel like even though this is bad, maybe it's not bad enough to warrant anyone trying to help me. I think there are probably a lot of people that are maybe in worse positions and need the help more?

OP posts:
Apirateslifeforme · 12/03/2020 00:12

Thank you all so much. I'm sorry to have upset anyone. It really hasn't been my intention.
I know that I need to get out of here.
I am scared of wasting anyone's time, but I will go to the CAB and I'll maybe call womens aid and ask if they might be able to help me, but I dont want to use services that are better placed with women who are in danger opposed to this.

I do need to do this.
Thank you all so much.
I cant explain how much of a difference this thread has made to me tonight.

OP posts:
Zombiemum1946 · 12/03/2020 00:14

This is mental, emotional and financial abuse to the point of potentially depriving your child of food and clothing as well as you. Phone women's aid, remove any access he has to your finances. Get out. Be safe Flowers

DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 12/03/2020 00:15

It IS bad enough to call WA.
Don’t worry about other people. WA will have a triage system, a bit like when you go to A&E. They will have a system to figure out priority needs.
They are experts. Call them, please?

Tiredtiredtired100 · 12/03/2020 00:21

I definitely second everyone saying this is abusive and call WA. I don’t think if you’ve already got a rental contract that a landlord can evict you because you go on housing benefit. To be honest I doubt they would even know since the money goes into your account not theirs. But trust me, there are people at WA, at the council and at many other domestic abuse facilities who will help you get out of this.

Queenest · 12/03/2020 00:22

You know you need to leave him. Hope you find the strength you need Flowers

Apirateslifeforme · 12/03/2020 00:23

If they will triage and I'm not taking help from anyone else who needs it more then I'll definitely call them tomorrow, as soon as I've done the school run.

I dont even have a bank account anymore, hes done about as bad as he can do in the financial sense. I hadn't even realised how weird that is.

I will definitely make calls. I've always ensured DD had, but at the moment it's more that my dads helping out with much of DDs needs which makes me feel disgusting.

It wont change unless I call WA.

OP posts:
Thedogscollar · 12/03/2020 00:23

Please please take the advice given. This is the end of the road for this marriage. You have tried your very best he has not helped at all, he is a taker and an abuser, you deserve better than this awful man. Goodluck you can do this.

Twofurrycatsagain · 12/03/2020 00:31

Please leave. This man is dragging you down into misery. Women's aid, cab, the council, your dad, take any help you can to get away from him .
When even the bailiff is saying get away from him it's time to go. Good luck

Zhuleva · 12/03/2020 00:39

Sorry you’re going through this but you need to move on ASAP for yours and your DD’s health. I wish you the best of luck x

Thinkingabout1t · 12/03/2020 00:42

Ifeel like even though this is bad, maybe it's not bad enough to warrant anyone trying to help me.

Read what you’ve written, OP! You do deserve help, you do deserve a better life.

He has destroyed your confidence and your self-respect. Please start taking the sensible steps PPs have advised here, steps towards rescuing yourself from him. As long as you stay with him your life will never improve.

Think what DD is learningfrom living with this selfish misogynist. Think how much better her life will be without him, as well as your own life.

Good luck with it all.

DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 12/03/2020 00:44

You need to collect up yours and your daughter’s ID paperwork and get it out of the house. Just stick it in an envelope and store it at your dads.

Anything that proves you are who you say you are, birth and marriage certificates, passports and driving licence, any bills with your name on (especially the council tax one) your daughter’s red book, any letters regarding child benefit (you probably don’t get that now due to his wage but if you can find any old paperwork, take it). Anything from HMRC, if you have your own mobile account, something from that too.

You’ll be able to open a very basic bank account (similar to the kind they give to teenagers!) with a debit card (and no overdraft) even if your credit is shot to shit. Women’s Aid will likely know which of your local banks is best (I know Co-op used to be great for this but they don’t have many branches).

You can do this Flowers

Zombiemum1946 · 12/03/2020 00:51

This is all on him, your doing what you need to do to care for your dc .

Nat6999 · 12/03/2020 00:59

Could you either get him to leave or throw him out? If he is earning that sort of money he could afford to get somewhere else easier than you. Then you could maybe claim some benefits to top up your money to be able to manage, you might end up better off without him.

Nat6999 · 12/03/2020 01:02

Get the locks changed while he is out, dump his stuff outside, fetch the police if he turns nasty, he is financially abusive. Speak to Women's Aid they will advise you on how to get him out.

TwilightPeace · 12/03/2020 01:05

Fuck me, he’s an abusive cunt. OP please don’t hesitate to call Women’s Aid. Your situation is absolutely unbearable.
A new life awaits you but you have to be brave and take the first step.

I hope you rinse him for Child Maintenance.

springydaff · 12/03/2020 02:09

I'm not sure I can call womens aid, I feel like even though this is bad, maybe it's not bad enough to warrant anyone trying to help me. I think there are probably a lot of people that are maybe in worse positions and need the help more?

Your story is one of the worst I've heard - and I've been around domestic abuse circles for years and years. My abuser (exh) never hit me but he picked me apart until I was a shell. That's you at the moment. The law recognises now that physical violence isn't the only way you can kill a person.

You really, really can get free. It's a well-trodden path, scores of us have done it with the wonderful support of the appropriate agencies.

Do call Womens Aid. You are exactly the person they're there for Flowers

springydaff · 12/03/2020 02:14

btw you have copious examples of domestic abuse, which means you will get legal aid. That's how seriously the law takes domestic abuse - it's nigh on impossible to get it these days!

You are in a very strong position - though I appreciate you can't see that at the moment.

Personally, I'd like him put away for what he's done to you. Abusers are starting to receive custodial sentences for exactly the sort of things he has done and continues to do. Coercive control.

HollyCarrot · 12/03/2020 02:25

You are absolutely not wasting anyone's time. Get yourself free as soon as you possibly can. I grew up in this type of environment and it does no favours for anyone. Well done for recognising you need to get out and the very best of luck to you Flowers

Scarfaceclaw21 · 12/03/2020 02:29

This absolutely warrants the help of WA. He is abusive. He is ruining your life. And you are right, if he loved you none of this would be happening.

Please leave him. I am sure regaining control over your life would improve your mental health.

Oh, and open a bank account, Money Savings Expert is a great resource for financial advice but also speak to CAB.