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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:
UYScuti · 12/03/2020 02:34

You must stop this person from stealing your life force!

1forAll74 · 12/03/2020 02:55

All your situations with this man,have now made you feel so dragged down in life, and your life is being totally ruined by this man.and it has to stop right now.

You are so kind hearted,,that you worry about using any help out there, but it is your turn now,to get some help with all the things that you need.

Hopefully you will be able to try and start anew soon, and hopefully without any aggro from your partner. Best wishes to you.

earsup · 12/03/2020 03:07

Be strong and get rid of this useless abusive wanker.. things will get better .. I wish you all the best.

CuppaZa · 12/03/2020 03:17

What a low-life piece of shit wanker. Leave. Please. He’s not good enough to lick the bottom of your shoe. Don’t let him be the man that sets the standard of ‘normal’ to your daughter.

OffThePlanet · 12/03/2020 04:37

Leave for your DD’s sake if not your own. She must realise you are stressed about money and memories of your financial situation will be with her for life.

You are being abused and need as much help as you can get. Take it. Good luck!

Notajogger · 12/03/2020 05:00

Wow I have never said it before but LTB! No one should have to put up with this.

SummerWhisper · 12/03/2020 06:42

You sound amazing. You have made your decision to contact Women's Aid. You have made your decision to leave him. You have made these decisions to give your daughter and you a better life. The only way out is you leaving. He won't change or leave. He hates you both enough to destroy you. I wish you all the strength and resolve to see it through. You can do this. Here's to a new and better life for you both FlowersStar

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 12/03/2020 06:51

He's emotionally and financially abusing you.

scubadive · 12/03/2020 08:09

Hi op, please leave ASAP while you can.

You deserve help as much as anyone who is receiving physical abuse, don’t assume you are not worthy of the help.

Your DH is a bar a it’s, I was married to one for 25 years and it affected my confidence and mental health.

I was constantly criticised, I was told I loaded the dishwasher wrong,
I had forgotten this until I read your post. I was told everything
I did was wrong.

My financial abuse 2as nowhere near what you are facing but the control was still there, even now we are separated but not yet divorced and he is still depriving me of money so I struggle to pay for school dinners. They never change.

Good luck, be strong, a room in a shared house would be better than living like this.

GabriellaMontez · 12/03/2020 08:18

Lifes too short? Not sure ht you're still with him.

ChillinInMyBacta · 12/03/2020 10:20

Leave him. You've proved time and time again that you are able to take care of yourself financially against all the odds, an$ with his dead weight dragging you down financially and emotionally.

springydaff · 12/03/2020 10:45

Do the Freedom Programme, pirate. It will open your eyes.

It is based on this book - read the links and watch the vlogs. here is a sample of the book Living with the Dominator by Pat Craven.

Read this

Go to the library if you need to be warm - it's free! Or get into bed with a hot water bottle and read all the links 💐🌺

madcatladyforever · 12/03/2020 10:50

You will find your mentail health improves no end once you get rid of this cretin.

tiggerkid · 12/03/2020 10:57

I don't think I've ever been so speechless in my life! Shock

@Apirateslifeforme I think you know what you need to do. The only question here is are you going to do it?

Wa1kthisway · 12/03/2020 11:34

You sound far too selfless to see the abuse and how to get out.
So if you put a different angle on this:
This man can ear a grand a week and would rather purchase collectors items than use the money to pay to put food in his child's belly.
He is stealing from his child and from your father.
If you are not willing to put yourself first, advocate for them - walk.

bibliomania · 12/03/2020 11:48

I agree - you need to get free of him. If it feels "selfish" to do it for yourself, do it for dd. Life will be much better when it's just you and her.

TiredMum10 · 12/03/2020 11:56

Hugs op. You dont need to live like this. A man earning up to 6k and yet making his family struggle. He is a disgrace.

LimpidPools · 12/03/2020 12:03

You deserve more OP and you deserve help to get it. Your husband sounds breathtakingly awful.

Am I reading correctly that when you started to get a little freedom and independence by learning to drive, he immediately reacted by getting you all evicted and moving you into a house that he knew you would feel trapped in? He thinks it means you can't leave. (He's wrong.)

He is doing this on purpose because he enjoys the control. He enjoys tormenting you. Truly. It's like he's pulling the wings off a fly Sad

You and your DD would be better off in one room in a shared house than with him. It would be your own cosy little safe space.

Oh, and I bet your father isn't angry with you, just very, very frustrated that he can't get you out. And he's not even got the full picture.

Be strong OP. Get out. Good luck. When you manage it, your life is going to be so much better.

Apirateslifeforme · 12/03/2020 12:44

I'm reading and just shocked. It's been an anxious time for me, being with him, and I've never felt I could relax and I have said to him at numerous points that I've never found myself in the same situation as were often in, and I've lived off far less before, but it's never occurred to me how bad it really is until now.

Seeing so many posts saying the same thing just shows how bad this situation is.

DD was sent home from school early today, so I've not called WA, but I have sent them an email to see if they can help me.

Thank you all so much for the support.

OP posts:
LannieDuck · 12/03/2020 13:16

You'll be so much better off without him - emotionally, but also financially.

His behaviour is now affecting your DD - he's literally spending the money in her piggy bank, and taking food out of her mouth by spending her lunch money. You need to protect your kids.

Glad you're going to reach out to Women's Aid Flowers

springydaff · 12/03/2020 15:08

Please read the links I posted upthread.

One of them is a book, Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft. It's only recently come out in pdf, specifically for people like you who can't get access to the book.

The other links are details of the writer of the Freedom Programme, Pat Craven. Do read the info - you will recognise it ALL - and get along to the Freedom Programme as soon as. It's a brilliant course, lovely women (just like you and I!), lovely facilitators. I guarantee you the women will gasp at your story. The course injects you with so much power and the support is wonderful.

So glad you've contacted WA. There is, thankfully, so much support out there, despite cuts to services. You really don't have to do this on your own, you don't have to come up with a plan on your own - they will do it with you. They have all the knowledge and expertise about what is available to you. You are a priority case.

DorisDances · 12/03/2020 16:04

This is horrifying to read. Wishing you and your DC a hopeful and brighter future. You certainty deserve that Flowers

lowlandLucky · 12/03/2020 16:21

You have tried more than anyone would expect you to. End this now before there is no you !

blubberball · 12/03/2020 17:12

You are going to be better off in every single way when you leave him. The weight lifted will be a huge relief.

I was in a financially abusive relationship too. I also couldn't do a thing right. He criticised everything. I remember being scared to put the heating on, had to let him drive because I couldn't cope with his constant criticism when I drove. I couldn't even make a cup of tea. Wasn't allowed to spend money, and he took my card. He also quit his job and used my money and card to pay bills. I worked whilst he sat on his arse. He didn't help at all with any house work, and he called me a shit mum and pressured me for sex.

Any way, I'm now better off in every single way. You will be too. You can do this. Flowers

KarmaStar · 13/03/2020 10:55

Look forward to a bright future and a freedom to live as you want to.
This lowlife will use every trick in the book to keep you so stay strong for you and your dc,you don't want her growing up believing it's ok to act the way he does,protect her and yourself.
Thousands of people have escaped domestic abuse and you will be one of them.

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