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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel rage

237 replies

Tuzz · 26/04/2020 17:18

To feel rage with my partner and father of 2 DS 5 & 7. we all live together. Neither of us is working at the moment.
I wake up and my mind flicks the list of jobs I need to do. It is all usual stuff. 1st world problems. Get up, feed kids, feed dogs, tidy up kitchen - it is never done the night before, hang out washing, vacuum floors, on week days do home school ( I was a teacher so this comes easily to me) cook lunch, clear lunch, walk dogs and kids, mostly make kids tea, bath them read to them and put them to bed. Repeat.
You might be asking where is DP in all of this? He has mental health issues. He is depressed. His day starts when I bring him tea. He wakes up and uses his phone to check Twitter to try to “engage with the world” his words. After an hour he might come downstairs and then goes with a camera into the garden to take photos of spring emerging, this gives him huge pleasure. He will come back in tweet his pictures. Maybe start the doing some gardening. After lunch he usually chooses to go back into the garden and will be there until 6pm. He then goes back on his phone again to keep in touch with the world. Once the kids are asleep either he or I will cook our dinner. I never have the energy to tidy up. He never ever does.
My rage is that he seems only to do the things that give him pleasure, that ease his depression and things are never with the kids or helpful to living in a home with 4 people. I have to do everything else.
lately it seems to me every suggestion he makes I have to do because if I don’t he says I am not supporting him or helping his depression. This morning he showered and shaved. Then announced he wanted to have his hair cut. I was mid cleaning of the kitchen so I stopped and cut his hair. Then had to clean it all up while he went on twitter. I blew my top. Then he close to tears told me how unsupportive I was being. I know he is ill but I feel so alone and now really angry. Am I being unreasonable and need a slap? Or a hug and a big drink?

OP posts:
BiblioX · 28/04/2020 22:39

I have a diagnosis of complex PTSD, depression, agoraphobia, worsened by physical conditions too. I also force myself NOT to drink alcohol however much I wish to numb the flashbacks as my children need a sober Mum. I see a CPN, a psychologist and a psychiatrist and am on rather strong medication. I choose TO interact with my husband, my children, TO cook when I can, TO clean when I can, TO give them all cuddles even through my tears and I hide the pain as much as I possibly can because my family deserve me trying.
Your husband is selfish. Your husband is manipulative. Your husband is hiding behind a mild diagnosis and milking it for as much as he can.

Notenoughchocolateomg · 29/04/2020 00:38

Good god OP, I feel for you. I too have a 5 and 7yo...but got rid of their deadbeat dad when they were 2 and 4...it was the best thing I ever did. He was depressed and disabled...and an alcoholic who was incredibly self centred and unbelievably lazy and idle. I was first diagnosed with depression in my teens, now mid 30s depression and bad anxiety. Been on meds since age 22. I have had some bad days, but I have always had to get up and carry on for my children. I'm now a single mum (for the past 3 years) and my god it's easier without that man child dragging me down. He doesn't see our children. He chose vodka over them. Sad Please leave him. It will be the best thing you ever do. CakeFlowers

bembridge11 · 29/04/2020 02:35

He is selfish. Sadly depression can make people very introspective. But he seems to forget that the whole world cannot and does not revolve around him. He is your partner. What is he giving you? He cannot just take all the time.

springydaff · 29/04/2020 12:22

I don't believe he is depressed

Gawdsake2020 · 29/04/2020 12:42

I think he’s having his cake and eating it. Depression is no excuse to be a selfish ^$#

Gawdsake2020 · 29/04/2020 12:46

Also look into corhent (I can’t spell) abuse. This is it. Contacts women’s aid. Get yourself claiming benefits, separately. Get the hell away from him with your kids.
He won’t stand a chance in court getting custody when he can’t even be arsed to do anything with them. Don’t you worry about that.

PJPanther · 29/04/2020 13:34

Just reading your updates OP and his manipulations seem a bit well timed, any chance he is reading this and other communications you are having? It may be wise to assume so and be canny.

If he wants to be residential parent after the fact he will have to get to court and show that they are better off with him. That's a lot of work and expense. Someone who can't bother their arse to engage with a single day sober is not likely to put in that effort. He will likely follow the abuser pattern of getting you scared into obedience though and the children are a good tool for that, bearing this in mind you need to be aware that he is at best incompetent due to drink and at worst could harm them to try to control/get back at you.

Nothing you do will alter his behaviour, only he can do that.

You must protect your children and act for yourself. It is a billion times easier to plan the life you want once you are out of danger and the immediate constant distraction of a nasty controlling bastard.

I know the boats are restrictive just now but call women's aid or the GP or someone who can help you evacuate, this is surely essential travel.

springydaff · 29/04/2020 13:58

It is essential re new gov initiative re domestic abuse

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-and-domestic-abuse/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse

springydaff · 29/04/2020 14:01

Also free travel during lockdown if fleeing DA

www.itv.com/news/london/2020-04-09/train-companies-offer-free-travel-for-people-escaping-domestic-abuse-during-lockdown/

HavenDilemma · 29/04/2020 20:07

PLEASE PLEASE call Women's aid or go on their live chat. They can strange and pay for someone to pick you and the kids up in the middle of the night! They will provide safe, secure accommodation and every single thing you need!

Notenoughchocolateomg · 29/04/2020 20:29

How you are ok OP. Flowers

Notenoughchocolateomg · 29/04/2020 20:29

Hope*

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