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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husbands wants time to think... again

105 replies

bambara · 06/12/2023 12:00

Ive been married for 18 years, together for 22. We have four children. For the last few years, my husband has increased his drinking to excess. He frequently goes out, sometimes till the next morning. He's started, on occasion, taking cocaine. As his behaviour has worsened, I've started nagging him to please come home by midnight. To spend more time with family, to have a few days of drinking a week. Sometimes he does this but usually not at all. This year, he has moved out to decide if he wants to be with me three times because he doesn't want to be controlled. He doesn't want a curfew and wants to be able to do what he wants when he wants it. Each time he comes back, he resolves to reduce drinking and starts therapy but never does it. He's just moved out again. He wants till the end of the week to decide if he wants to be with me. I told him, I've had enough; you either want to be with someone or not. I want to fight for the relationship because I love him but also for the sake of the children, but i can't bear for him to have another 'thinking week' to decide if I am worth it or not. It feels like me vs a party lifestyle decision. Am I being unreasonable if I tell him that I'm done? Breaking the children's hearts and my own (and very likely his) in the process?

OP posts:
ilikemethewayiam · 06/12/2023 19:24

bambara · 06/12/2023 17:38

Surely you don't actually want him back as he is?

I think what you want is the former version of him back.

Tell him you don't want him back at the moment but if he pulls himself together you might consider it.

This. I just want the man i married back. Thank you all for your advice. x

I think that ship has sailed OP. He’s not interested in you, your marriage or the children’s well being. He’s made his choice. Booze and drugs are his first love. The pull of those are stronger than the pull of your ordinary life, but he will keep coming back for the odd bit of comfort as long as you keep allowing it. And so it will continue. Very sad for all of you.

TeaMistress · 06/12/2023 19:42

I'm sorry OP but the man you married is gone. All that's left of him now is an alcoholic and a drug addict. He's no longer the husband you love. The only things that he loves now are the alcohol and the drugs. That's really hard to hear and I'm sorry. I think you need to accept that the marriage is over. Please don't traumatise yourself and your children any more bu continuing to tolerate the hell that he is putting you through. End this once and for all. If he moves out that's fine. Pack up his stuff and dump it on his parents / friends doorstep and make it clear you are done. File for divorce and start the process of moving on with your lives without him. Your children need you to put their welfare ahead of his and seeing him descend into serious substance abuse is going to break their hearts much more than booting him put and divorcing him will
Time to get the ducks in a row by getting together a complete financial picture and ideally seeing a solicitor.

Daughtersandbristolian · 06/12/2023 19:44

Why is he the one making the choices and holding all the power!

QueenBitch666 · 06/12/2023 20:31

Get rid. Booze and drugs are his priority. What a waste of oxygen

Jellycatspyjamas · 06/12/2023 20:41

So he’s now left you four times, for thinking space, while you cover things at home, deal with the kids and their questions and uncertainty? Manage their daily routine - because he needs time to think?

Wheres your time to think about whether you want this waster in your life? To consider the life you want for yourself and your children? To consider your future security?

He can come and go because you’re there to facilitate it, he can drink himself to death because you’re there spending your precious life picking up behind him. You love the person you thought he was, not the person he is now. Your heart has been broken already, time to gather up the pieces and find a way forward.

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