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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Bride in need I really don't know where to turn

487 replies

ForBetterForWorseOrNot · 11/07/2024 02:18

15 years and two kids down the line into out relationship, 6 weeks until our wedding and his on about calling the whole thing off because his not happy how I haven't lost the weight he wants me to before the wedding. Apparently I have made absolutely no effort. Doesn't matter that I have organised the whole thing whilst working a full time job, learning a new role in a job I hate because he wanted me to find something that pays better.

My hen is supposed to be this weekend with my bf, his sil his dm, his eldest niece and a couple others mainly his family. Everything was fine earlier today. His said so many times how I've not lost the weight but that he loves me anyway and I know his going to marry me either way. Currently on holiday with the kids, his taken a few photos today, zoomed in on me, sent them to me this evening and resulted to silent treatment. When I asked him about it he said I've made no effort at all about my weight and that his going to message everyone saying due to unforseen circumstances the wedding is off.

Right now I'm not sure I want to marry him after this. But if he does would it be wrong to tell people exactly what's happened and tell him the house is going on the market. How can you tell your partner of 15 years she's overweight (size 16 to 18) and your calling off the wedding that's 6 weeks away to callingvher babe in the same sentence. He was literally cuddling up to me in the pub watching the England match 5 hours ago.

OP posts:
Itsallsostressful · 11/07/2024 07:46

OP my gut instinct says don't marry this vile human but I think PP's who are saying think about the Financial situation first are very sensible for you and the children. Sending hugs 🫂 to help you work out your next step x

PerkyMintDeer · 11/07/2024 07:48

ForBetterForWorseOrNot · 11/07/2024 02:31

15 years is a long time to walk away. Throw in 2 kids, one with additional needs and a mortgage, not to mention the fact I love him to bits and have stood by him no matter what, I just wish he would do the same. He doesn't realise the negative comments knock me for six and are a large part of why I have struggled to commit to losing the weight in the first place. I need to feel like if I do it that it's for me not some ultimatum. Otherwise what happens if I gain anything after the wedding? A divorce?.

If he isn't just saying this after a few too many. Would I be unreasonable to message his family in the hen group and just say, enjoy the weekend I hope you all celebrate that his called it off as he thinks im too fat for him to marry as effectively that's exactly what his saying.

It is a long time and hard to walk away but in the circumstances you’ve described it’s the only right option.

Your life isn’t going to get better by marrying an emotional abuser. Statistically, once you are legally bound to one another, abuse gets worse after marriage (and after kids, as you’ve already found). He’s only going to get nastier and no, he won’t divorce you because he’d stand too much to lose financially. Instead he’ll use your weight as a justification to cheat.

In your shoes, I’d be calling off the wedding. Why should this dickhead get free range to insult and abuse you till death do us part? Why should he be entitled to half of anything you own, inherit, half your pension etc?

Yep, you have a house and kids together but can you honestly say that you never ever see yourself splitting up in the future, given his current behaviour? Are you honestly so intent on marrying that you will put up with being insulted for the rest of your life? It seems to me like you’d just be kicking the can of splitting up further down the road, and it’s easier legally to split up now before you are married.

Will it be disruptive for a bit, and a lot of emotional upheaval?Yes but 100 percent worth it.

Staying with him won’t be better for the kids either…if you’ve sons they’ll learn that this is how you treat a woman, if you have daughters they’ll learn that this is all they’ll deserve.

You can live your life without him and thrive.

There’s no way you can say the same about marrying this nasty piece of work.

Expect tears, begging, swearing blind he’ll change. It’s all an act. He won’t.

Walk away, you deserve so so much better than this absolute twat.

WellwellwellInever · 11/07/2024 07:48

Exactlab · 11/07/2024 07:45

I just wanted to add that you should lose weight after you end things with him. It is about your health - not about him.

I wouldn’t aim for revenge weight loss to be honest. I would encourage looking after health and well-being first and foremost. Eating well and moving more are good for both. A side effect may or may not be weight loss but the OP should learn to love herself enough to take care of her body.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 11/07/2024 07:51

Morningsiesta · 11/07/2024 02:37

Sounds like he's anxious about money?

What? That’s all you got from this post?

Rainbow978 · 11/07/2024 07:52

Don’t waste another 15 years, if he’s like that with your appearance will he scrutinise his children too? Kick him out

Cardamomandlemons · 11/07/2024 07:52

You could lose about 80kg of useless weight instantly if you kick him out the house.

Teenagequeenwithaloadedgun · 11/07/2024 07:54

If he calls off the wedding he's doing you a favour - you're being treated really badly.

It seems that he's controlling everything, your appearance, job and who you socialise with. It's abusive.

If you marry him you'll be miserable, he won't stop.

Tablesalt111 · 11/07/2024 07:59

Op I definitely understand your point about how long you've been together but sometimes a partner is so unreasonable (him not you in this case) that they do leave you with no option but to call it quits. This behaviour from him is disgusting. Or what if you lost the weight and gained again.. what will he do then divorce you ?? This is not how you treat your wife to be. I think there's also a chance he's bluffing in order to make you beg or promise to lose weight. Either way it's disgusting. When he says he wants to text everyone, tell him to do it and to tell them the real reason. See what he makes of that but really really really please please stop and think carefully about what this relationship is really about. Good luck Op.

Zonder · 11/07/2024 08:02

He sounds horrible and controlling. Is the hen do even how you wanted it? All his family? Do you get any say in things?

VJBR · 11/07/2024 08:03

Call his bluff. Tell him to cancel it.

crazyBadger · 11/07/2024 08:04

Don't marry him...

You groom should look at you like he is the luckiest man in the world.......not be a whisper in your head that you would have looked better if you lost the weight.

If you even lost weight (for nobody but you) what would he pick on next... Bigger boobs/bum/Botox

Marry Somone who adores you who wants to share their life with you right now, not Somone who is hoping you will change to fit in with his image of what his wife must look like

LaWench · 11/07/2024 08:06

He's not good enough for you. You know that now, what are you going to do about it?

MulberryBushRoundabout · 11/07/2024 08:06

Tenaciousbeyondallthings · 11/07/2024 06:05

I would keep my powder EXTREMELY dry. Depending on your situation.

Case law on divorce has seen huge changes in what is considered a long marriage. The length of time a couple have lived together before getting married is also relevant. Where there has been a period of ‘seamless cohabitation’ before the marriage that period of time is often also added to the ‘length of the marriage’. So in many circumstances and particularly for younger couples who are more likely to live together these days before getting married, the relevant question will be ‘when did you start living together?’ as opposed to ‘when did you get married?’

So depending on your own situation... is your name on the house, ? If you have been the lower earner ? I bet he has a better pension than you as he hasn't birthed kids and earns more...

For the pension alone I would keep my mouth shut.. even perhaps make a show of 'dieting' to get him back onside... marry him. It's a legal contract. Then unless he has had a personality transplant, start to make exit plans with a pension sharing order and half of ALL your family assets.

You only get CMS if you don't marry and if you don't own the house you will lose a fuckload for you and your kids by throwing your toys out the pram when you are only six weeks away from having all your hard work of this relationship and child raising legally recognised.

OTOH if you don't own a house, have no pensions and little in savings. Blow it out and tell the hens/family exactly why.

While I think this is very good advice, it is even harder to overcome the mental barrier of getting divorced, compared to leaving a partner. So I’d only advise the OP to do this if she is 100% sure she can go through with it.

Venice241 · 11/07/2024 08:07

Please do not marry such an ugly man and DO tell people the truth.
He is emotionally abusive.
Do not marry him.
Vile prick.

itsgettingweird · 11/07/2024 08:07

He's abusive.

Not only should you not marry him I agree you need to walk away.

Easier said than done but I actually think not marrying him will make it easier to walk away even if it isn't for a year or 2. (Although actually marrying may financially benefit you in a divorce Wink)

JurassicClark · 11/07/2024 08:07

learning a new role in a job I hate because he wanted me to find something that pays better

So on top of his cruelty and attempts to control you with your weight, he also dictates what job you do and how much you need to earn?

As a PP astutely mentioned, your hen event seems to feature his family members, so he’s controlling your social life too?

OP, 15 years is a long time, but a lifetime is so much longer. Get out and win your life back. Your partner is abusing you.

The Freedom Programme could help.

The Freedom Programme. Learn about domestic violence and abuse

The Freedom Programme. For women who want to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse

https://freedomprogramme.co.uk/

ForBetterForWorseOrNot · 11/07/2024 08:08

House is now in both our names. Has been for couple years. When we first bought it I couldn't get on the mortgage due to credit rating as only worked 7 hours a week. Now it joint 50 50.

Messages were photos he deleted any text before I saw it but I have screenshot those in case he deletes them once his sobered up.

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 11/07/2024 08:08

Well firstly, he's a prick.
Can I ask why you're getting married now after 15 years together? Was it your choice or his? And has he always had issues with your weight or is it a new thing?
I wouldn't marry him and I'd tell him to go ahead and cancel. Better still, message his family and tell them why he's calling it off.

3luckystars · 11/07/2024 08:10

’Standing by someone no matter what’ is and example to show your children. Imagine this was one of them.

5128gap · 11/07/2024 08:10

You would be better off doing almost anything with your life than marrying this appalling excuse for a man. Please don't let him abuse you any longer. Take back control. Tell him the wedding is off and your decision is final. It's terrifying I know, but a few months and it will be done. Otherwise you'll have a lifetime of this and that should be even more frightening. You are a young woman with so much to offer your children, your job, and maybe one day, a man who deserves you. Don't waste your precious life with this one.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 11/07/2024 08:10

15 years is a long time to have put up with this treatment. It's certainly long enough. When your children leave home, it will be just you and him for the rest of your life. No one on here has said "Nah, marry him, it'll be alright". It won't. Please please listen and don't marry him. I escaped a relationship like this once (it was only 7 years but long enough) and have been with my lovely normal, non abusive partner for the last 41years so I do know the difference. Just leave. You don't even have to tell him why.

Edingril · 11/07/2024 08:10

Do you seriously need a PowerPoint presentation to show why not to marry him? Desperation?

Why on earth would you? It is your choice too but no idea why

rainbowsparkle28 · 11/07/2024 08:12

Please. Please. Please. Do not marry him. Get rid - he sounds vile and things only become more complicated and entangled when you are married.

Tablesalt111 · 11/07/2024 08:12

ForBetterForWorseOrNot · 11/07/2024 08:08

House is now in both our names. Has been for couple years. When we first bought it I couldn't get on the mortgage due to credit rating as only worked 7 hours a week. Now it joint 50 50.

Messages were photos he deleted any text before I saw it but I have screenshot those in case he deletes them once his sobered up.

Op sorry when you say you're name wasn't on the mortgage because you only worked 7 hours a week... why did that mean you couldn't go on? I didn't work at all when we bought our house and I was still on the mortgage ..was this an issue with your credit rating you mean? Sorry not being nosey just checking this wasn't him giving you crap info.

notwithoutmypillow · 11/07/2024 08:12

theyoungishman · 11/07/2024 02:25

Is this a joke?!

I think it is. Especially with the his instead of he is put in there.