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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To accept the money ?

76 replies

army2426 · 28/11/2021 11:43

Long story short, me and my husband separated earlier on this year. At the time, a lot had happened and the relationship was strained. I wasn't happy anymore and decided to call time on it. Shortly, before we separated my brother very kindly gifted us a lot of money. My husband has always had a thing about money and a lot of it I think is he likes control over it as he's very insecure. Don't get me wrong, he worked extremely hard to provide for our family and was generous and never withheld money but I feel as though he almost felt demasculated by it. I cannot work as we have a child with special needs so I think he's always been quite proud that he has worked so hard to solely provide for us.

When we separated, we decided to sell and split the house 50/50 and I gave him half of what was left that my brother gave me after I'd spent some on the house and also we brought a vehicle when we were together.

Anyway, fast forward to now - were trying again, We have both realised that we do really love each other and we'd like to try again. Whilst we were separated he brought another house using the money from what I gave him from my brother. As I cannot work my brother has kindly offered to go on the mortgage with me as well as put some money into the house so that we can get something suitable. Me and husband have agreed to not live together for a while as to not to confuse kids and to be sure we can move past the last year. He also wants the security of having his own place should it happen again, which I agree is a sensible idea.

The last few days though he's been saying he wants me to decline the money from my brother, said it's pushing him out and that I should just have him on the mortgage and get a much smaller house than what I've been looking at. The houses I'm looking at are not large, 3 bed semis ( I have two dc ) but house prices are sky high at the moment and the area we live is more expensive but I'd like to stay around here as my dd has just started school here. He's suggesting I go 15 miles or so out so that I can get a cheaper house. The issue i have is that my ds isn't at school at the moment and the drive every morning would be a pain, plus i like my daughter would be around her school friends etc. He has said it isn't fair I get help and he's had to provide everything for himself and that I should do it on my own like he has. My feelings are difference is, I have a disabled child that likely won't be leaving home, I want stability for us.

As things are still early days with sorting things out im torn as if it goes tits up again. I'll be in a house / area I don't want to be in.

I've said moving forward, if things work out we will give my brother the money back and sort something for us.

I just don't know if I am BU having this money or whether he is 🤷🏽‍♀️

OP posts:
Nowthereistwo · 28/11/2021 11:50

He doesn't get a decision in this. You need to look after yourself and children first as he may be gone tomorrow. Tbh I wouldn't have given him any of your brothers money when you first spilt up!

If you do get back together I think it's nice to pay your brother back if you can/your brother wants it back.

gamerchick · 28/11/2021 11:58

Your kids come first. Their security and comfort is above your husbands insecurities. He has no problem in making your life more difficult than it needs to be just to keep him happy, does he?

Tell him the plan still stands. He needs to deal with that.

Morechocolatethanbarbara · 28/11/2021 12:05

So your ex is happy to spend your brother's money on HIS house, but he doesn't want you to spend your brother's money on your house, for you and your disabled DC so you can be close to school??

Honestly, you need to put yourself and your DC 1st. Take your brother's kind offer and really think about whether you should be in a relationship with a man who wants to make your life harder and not easier/more comfortable.

army2426 · 28/11/2021 12:08

He thinks I'm spoilt and have no value of money as he's always provided and now my brother. It annoys him - and whilst I see what he's saying, ( although before we had kids I worked full time and paid all my bills etc on my own ) but as you said I just see it as making me life unnecessarily harder ? I don't choose not to work. I can't - in unemployable due to my sons appointments, hospital admissions and now his refusal to go to school or even leave the house.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/11/2021 12:09

I'd tell him to piss off. You want your security and convenience and why should you compromise it for him

Thelnebriati · 28/11/2021 12:11

You have a disabled child and he calls you spoiled.
He is trying to remove you from the support your brother is giving you.

Can you see he is still trying to control you?

RandomMess · 28/11/2021 12:12

He wants you financially dependent on him. If you are then you will be more invested to make things work.

Stick to your guns you may not live together for several years and why shouldn't you live somewhere nicer as your brother is willing to help.

THisbackwithavengeance · 28/11/2021 12:13

Your DH is feathering his own nest isn't he?

So he bought a house with the money from your brother and now wants half your house - also funded by your brother.

What a fucking prince. Your brother must be incandescent.

I would seek legal advice tbh OP.

Mermaidwaves · 28/11/2021 12:16

You have a very kind brother OP, shame your DH isn't on your side so much. I wouldn't get back with him as he's already making your life difficult, he didn't mind taking your brothers money when he needed it did he!

dottiedodah · 28/11/2021 12:16

Your brother sounds lovely and kind .DH seems a bit insecure .I personally would think long and hard about a reconciliation TBH.He seems to be trying to control you as above pp said

user1471457751 · 28/11/2021 12:17

Your husband is hardly solely providing for himself when he accepted you giving him some of your brother's money.

Floralnomad · 28/11/2021 12:17

Just ignore him and take your brothers very kind offer of help , assuming that your brothers circumstances aren’t going to change massively in the next few years

PinkArt · 28/11/2021 12:18

Your brother sounds like a lovely man who wants to help you and your DC live the best life possible. Your husband does not.

Funnylittlefloozie · 28/11/2021 12:20

Your brother sounds amazing! Your husband is STILL trying to control you and dictate to you. Is this really what you want to go back to? As it stands, you could have a very positive co-parenting relationship with him in his house and you in yours with the children.

PegasusReturns · 28/11/2021 12:24

Your brother sounds very kind and generous. Your DH not so much.

I’m appalled that he took half of your brothers money in the first place?! What an absolute cheek.

That he now wants more is indicative of a need to control you. Have you talked to your DB about this? I think you should get his perspective. I suspect he is doing this to protect you and your DC. You should prioritise the same.

HoardingSamphireSaurus · 28/11/2021 12:24

That's easy

You agree that depending on your brother is ridiculous and you agree to return the money to him

As does your DH/ex. As he too shouldn't be relying on another man to fund his life. Especially if finances are so tied up with his masculinity.

See how easy that was?

What's that? He has already said he won't / can't?

Why's that?

ChipsAreLife · 28/11/2021 12:25

If your husband loved you why wouldn't he he want you to be secure?!

Your brother sounds lovely. I would take his offer and get yourself a lovely home for you and your children

Newmumatlast · 28/11/2021 12:26

@Morechocolatethanbarbara

So your ex is happy to spend your brother's money on HIS house, but he doesn't want you to spend your brother's money on your house, for you and your disabled DC so you can be close to school??

Honestly, you need to put yourself and your DC 1st. Take your brother's kind offer and really think about whether you should be in a relationship with a man who wants to make your life harder and not easier/more comfortable.

Agree with this. He was happy enough to have your brother's money for his own home. And he wants to have a home in his sole name incase things go wrong. Yet he wants you to decline money, have him on your property which would mean he has two assets and you arent protected if it goes wrong with him again, and for you to be living somewhere which doesnt suit you or his kids who he should be prioritising over his own sensitivities.

Take your brother's help and chalk this up as the first new red flag for this new relationship (new as in new start).

GoodnightGrandma · 28/11/2021 12:28

If you’re still married you need to ring-fence any money from your brother.

Spanglybangles · 28/11/2021 12:31

Accept your brothers help. I suspect your brother sees your husband’s controlling nature, is worried about you and thus is his way of helping you be independent of your husband. Let him, grab it with both hands. Your husband has no say in this.

As already said, your husband has happily accepted your brothers money and put it towards a home for himself, but takes issue with you accepting help for you and your children from your own flesh and blood…..controlling, much? I would think long and hard about getting back together to be honest. Your husband is sorted whether it works out or not, what with keeping a house available for himself, donthe same and look after yours and your children’s future.

NeverChange · 28/11/2021 12:31

Ah come on.

He bought a house for himself with some of the money your bother give you.

Now he wants to share the new house. I wouldn't even consider it. I'm pretty sure your brother won't either - thankfully.

At the very minimum get legal advice and ensure he has no recourse to the new house until your name is on the deeds of the first house.

BaronessBomburst · 28/11/2021 12:31

Based on your husband's current actions I would say that there is no point in trying again. He's an arsehole who will never put your interests first.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 28/11/2021 12:33

There are a lot of red flags here OP.

Firstly that you split everything 50 50 when you broke up. Normally if one of you can work and one is a carer the carer would get the vast majority to acknowledge that they cant work through any fault of their own.

Secondly he doesn't want your brother doing a nice thing for you. Unless there is a big backstory with your brother and there are conditions on the money ite not really his place to say no.

Lastly and most importantly he is putting his feelings above your childrens needs and that is really worrying. He would rather you had a drive every day,your son have less space at home and your daughter be far from her friends just because he feels a bit embarrassed. I think thats awful.

I'd be very wary about combining finances in any way with him at this stage. You may still love him but that doesn't mean this is a healthy relationship or the best thing for your kids

RedDeadRoach · 28/11/2021 12:35

If i was your brother id be royally pissed off that money id given to you had been given to your dh when you split up. Your brother is incredibly kind to still want to give you money after that.

Your husband has his own best interests at heart. Don't trust him.

Helpstopthepain · 28/11/2021 12:36

I think he’s jealous of your brother providing and supporting you. He is trying to sabotage this by stamping his feet and beating his chest while shouting, ‘me man, me provide’.

Think very carefully about this relationship.

Your brother sounds ace by the way. That’s the kind of male role model I would prefer to be around my children.