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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:
AllyBamma · 28/04/2020 01:35

Deep breath OP. You DO have this because you need to protect your children from the life they would have with him.

The courts usually favour custody to the mother anyway so he’s got no chance of having them exclusively. The courts will also hear how he has mental health issues - not an problem in itself but a huge problem that he refuses to seek treatment. Not to mention the alcoholism. There’s not a court in the land that would award custody to him.

What you need to do right now is start gathering proof. Start a diary of everything. How you’re the one teaching the children daily. Lesson plans etc. How much he’s drinking per day. There must be receipts. Start making copies of everything, all legal documents. Get the kids passports if they have them and hide them. Just because things are in his name doesn’t mean you are entitled to support.
And absolutely get legal advice as soon as possible. Right now he’s trying to scare you, don’t let him see it’s working. All the details of where you’ll go and how will come later, go and get your ducks in a row for now

BumbleBeee69 · 28/04/2020 02:10

OP which island are you on ?

springydaff · 28/04/2020 02:18

He drinks two bottles of wine per day and expects to get full custody of the kids? Best of luck to him.

He is a vile, vile shit. He doesn't take meds because that would mean he'd have to stop drinking. He's got depression has he? Well, who hasn't, frankly. Most of us do or very best and carry on. Fuck him and his 'depression', he's a disgrace to the word.

Call Women's Aid (0808 2000 247). There's a LOT of help out there, a lot of resources and support. Women's Aid are the experts, they know how to gently and carefully support you and the kids. You are not stuck, even though it feels like it at the mo.

You couldn't just push him off one of your cliffs could you? No use to man nor beast. He's an abusive addict and he's got both bad. The shit.

springydaff · 28/04/2020 02:21

Do call Women's Aid soon, op. Call in the night if you can't get through during the day.

Don't let him gaslight you and emotionally manipulate and blackmail you for one more minute. He is a total fake.

MadeForThis · 28/04/2020 02:46

He is still just trying to manipulate you to stay. He has no interest in having sole care of the dc. He doesn't want that responsibility. He wants you to feel like you can't leave. He wants you to toe the line again.

Ignore him, don't engage in arguements. Just make your plans and leave. You don't need permission to leave the island. Tell your friends and family what is happening. They can help. No one else is like him.

Go to entitledto.com and see what benefits you can get.

But be careful. When he realises he is losing his grip he could become dangerous. Don't tell him your plans.

Good luck. No one should live like that.

lunar1 · 28/04/2020 02:50

Would your parents be able to help financially for you to get away from him? He doesn't want the children, he's trying to keep you trapped through fear.

ShallallalAa · 28/04/2020 03:22

I'm so sorry you are going through this op.

My ex had similar problems. Depression amongsmany other problems, which meant I did all the domestic work. I literally most of my waking hours engaged in domestic duties as a result. I left him 5 years ago, he lives alone and has the children and he has to pick up after himself and keep the house going. Amazingly, he manages.

You're doing it all so he doesn't have to.

You've got one amazing life. Are you really going to spend it picking up after a lazy, gas lighting, self indulgent alcoholic?

ShallallalAa · 28/04/2020 03:23

When I say has the children I mean eow

ShallallalAa · 28/04/2020 03:29

Sorry op I hadn't seen your update!

You HAVE got this. You call women's aid on your walk. Close your eyes and imagine the life you truly want with your children. It CAN happen. Detach. Stay strong. Don't respond. Don't engage. It won't always be like this. But you have to leave and it will be hard but it will be the best thing you ever ever did and we are all here rooting for you. Pm me any time. Flowers

averytiredmom · 28/04/2020 03:39

Can you call women’s aid OP?.

TheGirlWithAPrince · 28/04/2020 04:19

Sounds like he is using his depression as an excuse for an easy life.

My husband had depression and wouldnt be like that.

You need to put your foot down and tell him you wont accept it as an excuse anymore because what would he do if he was alone? At the end of the day he has kids and a house so he needs to help with them

EmergencyPractitioner · 28/04/2020 04:37

He is drinking approx 126 units a week! Presumably for some time.

He has a significant alcohol dependence problem.

His mood will not improve unless he detox's and becomes abstinent. This is his choice.

Alcohol is more important to him than you and the children. They are growing up in a toxic environment.

Get evidence of his drinking

Get support. Get the secret out . Talk to a GP. A trusted friend or relative.

Get a free 30 min session with a solicitor.

Take control. He has far more to loose.

If you leave you will be able to work again as a teacher. You will be independent and fine. And more important free of this utterly selfish money- leaching gaslighting abusive leech.

.

yourestandingonmyneck · 28/04/2020 04:43

God what an arsehole.

At first I was going to say "show him his thread" but having read all your updates I can see it is now way beyond that.

Coming down in the morning and asking if you're ever going to speak to him, and "waiting for instructions" ShockShockShock Awful, just awful.

Yes, you need out. You need to go.

Why on Earth is he saying he wants to keep the kids when he doesn't look after them? He'll be saying it because he doesn't believe this is actually happening. He doesn't believe you will go.

Yes, lockdown is a problem, but it won't be forever. You are a teacher, you will get a job. You just have to start with picking an area. Near friends / family? You say your parents are old/frail? Is there any support they could give? Financial? Is their house large enough to take you in?

Are you living off his salary just now? Do you have access to the finances? For shopping etc? If I was you I would start trying to put money aside. Any jewellery (wedding ring etc) that you could sell?

If things get really bad, you may have to just get out, in which case call Women's Aid or similar for help. Otherwise, use lockdown to plan.

You sound like a very good mum.

Good luck x

Bumsnet1 · 28/04/2020 04:51

He’s emotionally abusing you. Clearly using his ‘depression’ as a form of control.

yourestandingonmyneck · 28/04/2020 04:55

Ps - is he not working due to depression? Or due to lockdown?

EdwinaMay · 28/04/2020 06:17

You need to leave him.
He is a selfish, useless acoholic and the DCs are better not living with him.
I don't know what happens in lockdown but you can look up the women's aid number and even possibly phone the police. They might be able to direct you to someone. Domestic abuse is high on people's radar right now so I'm sure there is help if you look for it. Don't wait.

CheddarGorgeous · 28/04/2020 06:20

OP you need to play this quite cleverly. Don't agree or disagree to anything until you have had good legal advice. Play your cards close.

Bristolbitsandbobs · 28/04/2020 07:30

You will get support from the state. No it is not a lifestyle, despite what the daily mail would have you believe, but you can do this.

He is trying to scare you into submission.

1 blood test will show he’s an alcoholic. Start keeping a diary - I would. He won’t be able to deny it.

RandomMess · 28/04/2020 07:44

If you are in Scotland you need to stay in Scotland.

You need to speak to woman's aid.

Basically you will need to do a flit and take the car. Yes it's his but he can have it back.

If it weren't for lockdown would you take the DC to visit your parents or friends as a holiday?

You need to be very careful and not make waves but start making plans.

Tuzz · 28/04/2020 07:56

Last night I talked to him about how why I am angry. How the fact that he does nothing is very selfish. That it was like the expectation of a father/partner of the 50s. He told me that he provides financially and therefore that is enough. He will never do more. Generations of women before suffered much worse and didn’t complain like I did. I don’t want this life. It is all so clear now.

OP posts:
copycopypaste · 28/04/2020 08:03

Op telling you he'll keep this kids is an age old, tried and tested means of keeping you in your place. Do you really think, he'll want to take responsibility for his dc, on his own, when he won't even put them to bed at the moment or life a finger to parent them or do any household tasks. He panicking because his threat to separate didn't put you back in your box and have you begging forgiveness so he's had to step it up a notch

To put your mind at rest, speak to a family solicitor (they are doing phone consultations) and find out exactly where you stand. Also use this time to speak to the benefits office about what you are entitled to and housing close to your parents.

MaxNormal · 28/04/2020 08:04

If you are in Scotland you need to stay in Scotland.

I don't think that's right. It's all part of the UK.

RandomMess · 28/04/2020 08:19

@MaxNormal Scotland has different laws/jurisdiction I'm 99.9% sure that posters have been ordered to move back to Scotland...

Gardenparty123 · 28/04/2020 08:39

I think calling Womens aid, or a Scottish equivalent would be a good idea. He’s emotionally, financially abusing you.
They could help get you out, or at least help with making a plan.
He sounds awful, I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with him Flowers