Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Please help me through tonight....

149 replies

higgypiggy · 10/05/2020 22:09

Please help me see sense. I'm sorry if this is long.

Things have been crap for a couple of weeks now.

Dh has always been awful with money. It's always been me who deals with finances - I'm sensible and probably over cautious with money. Also dh used to have an extremely bad gambling habit.

He works (extremely hard as he tells me everyday) and I stay at home. I have 2 dcs from previous relationship and 1dc to him. My eldest dc is autistic which means I don't work though I do get a small income from carers allowance and also disability living allowance for my child.

As I said, dh has always been crap. For the past 4 years, I've dealt with all the finances and it's worked fine.

Unfortunately we've had a couple of issues with cars in the last couple of years, we've just had no luck which has led to my mum taking out 2 seperate loans for us. Which she was fine with and we pay it back regularly and always on time.

Dhs credit has always been bad but now it's getting better and is in the 'fair' category. Mine is excellent but due to being a carer, I can't get any loans or anything on credit.

We've also been saving up for a mortgage and have been doing so well. That and dhs credit score moving upwards, we are perfectly on track to buy our house in 2/3 years - we rent off a friend who is wanting to sell and is willing to wait until we've saved up a deposit.

Anyway, dh had an idea that we should take out another loan to get another car. I've said it's not the best idea considering we still owe my mum 2 seperate loans and also it wouldn't look good for a mortgage....and why damage your credit score now when it's just going up by applying for another loan?

Dh also wants to lend a family member on his side (who is also terrible with money) £4K. I said I didn't feel comfortable doing that. We have already lent him money a lot in the past and 4K is too much.

By me saying no to both these ideas, it's caused dh to get extremely angry and tonight has been awful. I haven't helped things by bringing up my mental health - I'm at home all day with 3dcs and struggling. He told me I was being stupid and I sound ridiculous.

It's resulted in me ringing my mum and asking if I could go stay with her which she said yes too.

Firstly he said he didn't care if we left.
Then he said because of lockdown, if we left then we wouldn't be able to come back to the house until this is over.
Then he told us to get out, he wanted us gone.
Then he refused to let me leave. I said I'd stay as I was too scared to get the kids from upstairs to the car with him in the mood he was. I asked him to stay in the kitchen while I got them to the car but he just started shouting at me, I felt scared.

He told me he was going to go. He hasn't, he's here and sleeping on the sofa.

I've been in touch with my mum who knows exactly what's going on. She's been great but is worried for me.

I'm scared for tomorrow, he will be going to work so that gives me chance to get my stuff and go but he will be so angry. And for some stupid reason....I don't want to lose him.

OP posts:
TorqueWrench81 · 11/05/2020 07:31

Why can’t carers get credit? Apologies if that’s a daft question.

Oliversmumsarmy · 11/05/2020 07:36

Inthepurplerain if op didn’t look after the money then they would be destitute.

You wouldn’t give a heroin addict a bag of heroin to look after or make sure that someone who struggles with giving up smoking carries a packet of cigarettes on them.

If he really struggles with controlling his gambling then it has to come from him to give up.

Atm you are imposing a ban on gambling but he still asks to bet.

Until he is ready to give up and stop altogether you are going in different directions.

You are saving for a house to house your family.
He is looking at, at best quick bets to make £500.

I doubt you would see this money back as even if you had everything in writing from his mate that money is earmarked for him.

Even if it was genuine his mate would be paying him back and you wouldn’t see a penny.

Yellowsubmarinedreams · 11/05/2020 07:37

Leave and be single for a few years. In the kindest way you seriously need to work on your boundaries and focus on yourself and your children.

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 11/05/2020 07:50

He's abusing you. You are wising up to this. If you've got £4k lying around then you should be giving it to your mum not to his relative. I think the fact youre scared of him and him blocking you from getting to your children is awful. I don't know how you could come back from last night? Pack up your essentials and get out to your mums.

higgypiggy · 11/05/2020 08:05

Thanks for everyone's replies - I am ok.

I didn't leave last night as the thought of getting my children past him scared me. He's gone to work now, we haven't spoken and I'm free to leave. Though typically they are resurfacing the whole road and I can't get out!! Ive spoken to my mum and will get there as soon as I can.

As for paying my mum back, my mum is more than happy with monthly payments. She wants us to get a mortgage so that's what we've been doing. She told us to save.

I can see it's abuse, it's such a confusing situation to be in.

OP posts:
higgypiggy · 11/05/2020 10:37

I've left, I'm at my mums. Not sure how to feel. He doesn't know I've gone yet

OP posts:
PhoenixIsFlying · 11/05/2020 10:59

I am so proud of you for doing that it takes strength. What a relief you have left. It’s no life for you or your children having to cope with fear and financial abuse. You will be so much happier and you have a lovely Mum to support you. Well done xx

PhoenixIsFlying · 11/05/2020 11:07

You don’t have to feel anything. It took a few months of being on my own to understand the things I had gone through were abuse. Financial like you and feeling absolutely terrified of him when he got angry amongst other things. The change in my child is massive she is so much happier. Keep strong xx

higgypiggy · 11/05/2020 11:07

@PhoenixIsFlying thank you, I'm just so scared of how he is going to react. My mum is going to text him and I'm going to call his mum too.

I've been sat looking at houses available to rent - no idea how I'll afford that but it's a start.

OP posts:
higgypiggy · 11/05/2020 11:10

@PhoenixIsFlying I don't think he would get violent, it's the words.

He refuses to let me speak and when he does I am wrong. He won't listen and just repeats his point over and over again. Every time I try to speak, he interrupts me. His voice is big and scary but he doesn't necessarily shout.

I told him last night how my mental health has been awful the last couple of weeks and I couldn't control my own thoughts. He said I was stupid and being ridiculous. Is that abusive?

OP posts:
PhoenixIsFlying · 11/05/2020 11:14

I completely understand. You really are doing the right thing. You will be so much happier for it. Keep posting because the amazing mumsnetters will be able to give you excellent advice. Try not to worry about everything all at once. I have a child with autism I work part time and get help from universal credit. It will work out. Try not to worry about housing today give yourself a bit of time. Xx

higgypiggy · 11/05/2020 11:19

@PhoenixIsFlying thanks so much, posting on here does help. I've been completely honest about how things are, I've had pretty much the same responses so I know I'm doing right

OP posts:
PhoenixIsFlying · 11/05/2020 11:20

It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t shout he is not allowing you to have a voice. He doesn’t care about how you feel. My mental health was shot to pieces in fact I ended up having a breakdown. I live with my daughter now and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have peace in my life. Your mental health will improve too. Xx

PhoenixIsFlying · 11/05/2020 11:25

It is so hard and I really get that. Especially when there are times that are good. But as I came to realize a healthy relationship isn’t coping with the bad times as some bits are good. It’s about having someone who really loves and respects you even when things are not so good. Financial abuse is a horrible thing. I don’t have much money but at least I am not in that awful cycle of financial abuse. You really are doing the right thing xx

Grendlsmother · 11/05/2020 11:52

This is financial and emotional abuse ... please ring your nearest women's aid for legal advice and support

BlueSuffragette · 11/05/2020 12:37

Glad you are safe. Good luck OP.

Queenie8 · 11/05/2020 12:41

Well done OP. You will be safe and happy now.

Contact Jobcentre plus, they will be able to help you with everything you can apply for.

Thehop · 11/05/2020 12:52

Well done OP. You’ve been very strong and very brave. Call the job centre, find out how to access rent benefit and how to bid for A housing association house? Also maybe the freedom programme online?

Get a separate bank account straight away. Monzo or starling can be opened online straight away.

Did you take your documents from the house? Passports, kids red books etc?

Backtothenewme · 11/05/2020 14:11

Massive well done OP. really huge well done. He will contact you soon. You absolutley can ignore him until you feel ready to talk to him. When you do talk to him, know in advance what you are going to say. If he starts shouting and talking over you ignore it and keep to your point. Write it down. What do you want him to know? Keep it short and to te point such as
I left because of you behaviour towards me leave me feeling scared and worn down
I'm not coming back for the time being because I need time to think about my future and what I want for me and the kids
We will sort out you seeing ds as soon as possible
And keep repeating. Tell him he is on loud speaker if he the type to behave better in front of others.
Stick to your guns. Leaving is the best thing you have done for you and your kids in a very long time

Holothane · 11/05/2020 14:16

Well done it’s hard now but once you’ve got financial help and security you’ll feel a lot better. Hugs.

Incontinencesucks · 11/05/2020 14:32

Aside from on the arsehole behaviour to you, he wants to lend 4k of your joint money to his fickle family member but is happy to make your mum keep 2 loans!!!!

Think of 3 sandwichs:
1 is piled with all your favourite things
Number 2 has 1 favourite thing, the rest of the fillings ok.
Number 3 has some of your favourite things and a dollop of dogshit.

The abuse is the dogshit...want the third sandwich?

Incontinencesucks · 11/05/2020 14:33

Posted too soon: good luck at your mums!

monkeymonkey2010 · 11/05/2020 14:36

I can't believe you're planning on buying a house with him!
He's shit with money and prefers to gamble it....leaving you with no choice but to take on all the admin and mental load.
On top of that you're left with all the dc/childcare too -and the housework.

What exactly does he bring to your life?
Take your share of the money and get your own place with the dc.
Don't waste your life on this.

higgypiggy · 11/05/2020 15:12

My mum sent him a text to say she's worried about me and my mental health and she is going to look after me and the kids for a few days. She asked him in the text to not be too hard on me if he wants to speak, she's worried and I need to come first

A few minutes later I get a text from him sayings it's over, he will contact our landlord to say we are both moving out and we aren't buying, he wants to speak to deal with money (shock horror) ASAP and then put 'nice one 👍🏻'

No asking if I'm ok, no nothing.

OP posts:
Backtothenewme · 11/05/2020 15:24

Wow! Ismtvje lovely. Ignore him. Talk to your landlord yourself and tell him if you want to keep the tenancy yourself get his name off if you can. Dkntvrespondcor contactchim. Just think about you and your needs. Your mom sounds fab

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.