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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To leave my lovely DP

344 replies

Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:17

I have posted about my DP before under a different name about how great he is and all responses were agreeing he sounds like the dream man, any brothers etc etc.

But for some reason I’m just not happy. I haven’t been for a long time if I’m honest. On paper he is perfect…loyal as a dog, very good job, conventionally good looking, extremely hands on dad, does washing cooking cleaning, can turn his hand to anything and do it well, very tall, great body etc, family man, very close to his family but in absolutely no way a mummy’s boy or anything like that just really values his family. Does bath and bed every night. You get the picture.

We have been together for 12 years and I would say for the last 5 I just haven’t been happy. It started with his lack of enthusiasm for socialising etc. he’s very very docile and is happy to just coast through life whereas I am very much a do-er and want to always have plans. We didn’t go out on dates he was happy to just sit at home and it was the crux of most our arguments. This went on for some time and in the end I just gave up trying and started doing things with friends and family. No sooner did I stop badgering than he started making an effort but by this point I was over it and just lost interest.

Over time we’ve had fall outs and I’ve tried to break up with him 3 times and kind of been “guilt tripped” (or so it’s felt) into getting back together. I wouldn’t say this was deliberate on his part but it’s just how I’ve felt and couldn’t bear to see him in the state he was in. I’ve sort of resented the fact we’ve got back together.

Our sex life is now none existent. I am not attracted to him at all. I am closeted bi-sexual but feel I would be much happier with someone of the same sex. The thought of having sex with him makes me sick. I have to psych myself up for it (probably once every 8 months or so) and I feel revolting during and after. If he knew this he’d be heartbroken. I go into the bathroom and cry because I can’t stand him touching me. This isn’t his fault it’s just how I feel.

It’s now the case that every little “ick” he does makes me rage. If we argue I think to myself “well just piss off then I don’t want to be with you” which is awful. I never outwardly express this to him, obviously.

I really don’t want to hurt him as I know I am the love of his life but I just can’t go on like this. He says he would rather have me than have a sex life if it came between the two (I tell him we don’t have sex regularly for health reasons). Writing this down I feel like such a horrible person, I realise there’s 5 years worth (probably more) of facts and examples I can give but have left specifics out for obvious reasons although I am happy to answer any questions.

I am planning to leave him this year, I’ve been quietly getting my ducks in a row but I feel I’m betraying him by not telling him where I’m at. I just don’t want to reveal all without me having a place to go as I know I’ll end up feeling guilty again and be right back at square one. I think this needs to be a clean break.

Terrified of traumatising DC also as well as the financial aspect.

Like I said, tons of examples that I could give that have probably got me to this point. The bottom line is I’m not happy; I haven’t been for a long time and I don’t know why. I love him very much but like a family member, not somebody I’m “in love” with.

OP posts:
Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:19

Sorry not to drip feed; the 3 times I’ve broke up with him has been for a few months at a time. During this time I’ve slept with other people. He doesn’t know this a) because I feel it’s not really any of his business and b) because he would be absolutely distraught if he knew I’d been with someone else, single or not.

I know it’s not sustainable for him to never find this out or ask the question.

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Thehardestthingaboutwritinganoveliswritingit · 01/01/2024 11:21

You are giving him a chance to find someone who does not feel grossed out at the thought of having sex with him. Giving yourself the same chance is admiral. You’ll just have to accept feeling like shit about it and move on. You are doing the right thing even if it is the hardest.

Once it’s done this time don’t go back because this is not a fair way to treat him.

Eleganz · 01/01/2024 11:21

Just leave him. It will break his heart but he deserves to be in a loving relationship with someone rather than with a person who doesn't love him and is actively trying to get away from him.

You need to put your big girl pants on and dump him for good.

KimberleyClark · 01/01/2024 11:23

You need to leave him for his own good tbh. He deserves more than this.

Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:23

When I have tried to leave in the past he has been literally suicidal to the point I’ve found hand written letters about how he’s feeling. He’s spoken to my friends and told them he will do absolutely anything to change who he is to be with me. It’s just so sad.

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Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:24

I am gentle with him I tell him how amazing he is and how great of a person/dad he is but I’m just not happy. I tell him he will be so happy with someone else eventually. I tell him how much I love him but that I’m not in love with him. He’s just one track minded about it

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Thehardestthingaboutwritinganoveliswritingit · 01/01/2024 11:25

Maybe start seeing a therapist together so in the aftermath he has some professional help to turn too.

His life is his responsibility not yours.

justasking111 · 01/01/2024 11:26

You're going to have to come clean. My friend did, she had four children and fell in love with another woman. Her husband wasn't nice though which perhaps made a difference. He fell apart, but recovered, remarried, had two more children. Their children recovered too.

They all got on well after a time and still do.

Grit your teeth, cut the cord.

5128gap · 01/01/2024 11:26

You do need to leave him for his sake as well as yours. I'm not being nasty to you when I say this, but objectively, his life could be so much better without you. He sounds like the sort of man who could find a woman who wanted him with relative ease, and his life within a relationship where he was truly loved and wanted would be so much more enriching than being tolerated by you out of loyalty and pity. He just doesn't know that yet, as he doesn't know the half of how bad it is, and he's frightened to lose the security of what he knows. Rather than feeling guilty for leaving, you should see it as a favour to him, as you will be unlocking the cage he doesn't know he's in and freeing him for a better life. Be courageous and do the right thing.

Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:26

Thehardestthingaboutwritinganoveliswritingit · 01/01/2024 11:25

Maybe start seeing a therapist together so in the aftermath he has some professional help to turn too.

His life is his responsibility not yours.

I’ve tried to get him to do couples therapy in the past. As the pattern goes it’s yes of course let’s do it 100%, a week or two passes and it’s never mentioned again.

the letters said he couldn’t go through with it because the kids need him.

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MyGooseisTotallyLoose · 01/01/2024 11:27

You need to leave him if you've ever actually cared for him. That in your 'breaks' you've gone out and had different sexual partners is of course your choice but unfair to him.
Is your lifestyle likely to financially change when you break up? Am assuming you're not expecting like the other threads such as this with the 'devoted to me, will be devastated without me, I'm leaving him for a same sex partner, kids are so happy about it' that he will move out and you're keeping the marital home?

unique78 · 01/01/2024 11:28

I have firsthand experience of what a potentially huge mistake you're about to make, but it sounds like you've made up your mind, so that's that.

Savedpassword · 01/01/2024 11:28

Book the therapy and tell him when and where it’s starting.

HarrietTheFireStarter · 01/01/2024 11:29

You're giving him very mixed messages which isn't very cool.

I think you need to separate bc you are very confused; you don't know who you are or what you want, and you're using your husband as a whipping boy.

I think you need to move out, get therapy and stay relationship free for a couple of years.

Express0 · 01/01/2024 11:29

Hes using suicide as a means of control.

Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:29

5128gap · 01/01/2024 11:26

You do need to leave him for his sake as well as yours. I'm not being nasty to you when I say this, but objectively, his life could be so much better without you. He sounds like the sort of man who could find a woman who wanted him with relative ease, and his life within a relationship where he was truly loved and wanted would be so much more enriching than being tolerated by you out of loyalty and pity. He just doesn't know that yet, as he doesn't know the half of how bad it is, and he's frightened to lose the security of what he knows. Rather than feeling guilty for leaving, you should see it as a favour to him, as you will be unlocking the cage he doesn't know he's in and freeing him for a better life. Be courageous and do the right thing.

This is exactly how I feel. It’s the exact same situation as it was 30 years ago with my mum and dad. Down to the letter. He eventually found happiness but it took a long time

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MyGooseisTotallyLoose · 01/01/2024 11:29

Oh just saw you've posted similar before. So may have been one of your threads!

sunshinesupermum · 01/01/2024 11:29

I agree with justasking111 you have to tell him, no matter the consequences. I say that as the ex wife of a man who lived a lie just as you are doing.

Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:30

MyGooseisTotallyLoose · 01/01/2024 11:27

You need to leave him if you've ever actually cared for him. That in your 'breaks' you've gone out and had different sexual partners is of course your choice but unfair to him.
Is your lifestyle likely to financially change when you break up? Am assuming you're not expecting like the other threads such as this with the 'devoted to me, will be devastated without me, I'm leaving him for a same sex partner, kids are so happy about it' that he will move out and you're keeping the marital home?

No I will leave. I don’t want his finances to change because of MY choice. Would love him to have the house. Whether he would want to keep it is another question.

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WhatAMessAgain123 · 01/01/2024 11:30

How old are the children? Would you stay in the family home or move out?

Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:30

unique78 · 01/01/2024 11:28

I have firsthand experience of what a potentially huge mistake you're about to make, but it sounds like you've made up your mind, so that's that.

would you be able to elaborate?

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SuitYouSir · 01/01/2024 11:31

I think sleeping with others (even while separated) and not telling him is very off. You say you do it partly to save his feelings but I think that’s a bit immature and setting up worse problems and hurt for him if it comes out later.

I’m finding it quite heartbreaking to read that he’s so in the dark about your feelings. You’re also allowing him to unknowingly have sex with you that you hate.

just end it, honestly.

Finlesswonder · 01/01/2024 11:31

You've been "quietly getting your ducks in a row "? What does that look like in a non abusive relationship?

Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:32

Finlesswonder · 01/01/2024 11:31

You've been "quietly getting your ducks in a row "? What does that look like in a non abusive relationship?

looking at housing options. Finances. Etc

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Shouldistayorshouldi · 01/01/2024 11:33

I haven’t put him at risk at all. A) because I’ve used protection with others b) I’ve had full screening every single time and c) because we genuinely don’t have sex

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