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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go back on reconciliation with H

71 replies

bananallama6 · 23/10/2024 16:25

I left H about 5 months ago with our child aged 10. I'd fallen out of love, had an emotional affair which he couldn't get past and led to a lot of angry outbursts towards me (which I do completely get.) The last straw for me was about 6 months after the affair when on another 'make or break' holiday H had a tantrum at me at the train station and said he wasn't coming, which really upset dc, and a week or so later after he was nasty to dc at a celebration meal out, I left and moved back near family, without warning because I thought he'd react really angrily to me saying I was leaving. I returned to pack my and dc's stuff a month or so later and set us up in our new place. At no point did H come and see us, he just sent me messages periodically ranging from very upset to very angry and threatening me with financial stuff in a divorce. H and I have had good times but many bad times - he doesn't bother with cleaning or household stuff beyond cooking which he enjoys, he doesn't cultivate any hobbies or interests, he is a stresshead and he needs a lot of 'me time' which consists of gaming/scrolling his phone and dc has picked up on his disinterest and mentioned it a few times. He is a very good provider but he also uses money as a weapon eg. moving money out of joint accounts when he is angry with me. Worst of all he is a sulker and has been all dc's life, he has sulked on holidays/days out/celebrations and locked himself in the room or gone to bed and started ignoring us both over a trivial disagreement.

However. Neither of us filed for divorce in the past 5 months, we have been in touch and met up a couple of times near him, and we are both really sad and have times of missing our family life. However he gave me an ultimatum that if I didn't come back he would file for divorce and I decided to come back. This was largely influenced by the fact that dc is going through a tough time (entering puberty, but also hasn't settled well in new school and misses friends and her dad), and I felt like i was being selfish with dc and H being so upset because of a decision i made.

Since we have been back H has been very 'off' with me, has continued to scroll on his phone, still seems as angry just under the surface as he did when we were living together. He has 2 weeks holiday left to take this year and can wfh at will and yet he hasn't taken any days off to spend with us even over half term. Here, the family home was absolutely filthy when we returned despite the fact I did a deep clean and sort when I was last here, to make it nice for H. I'm talking encrusted durt in the kitchen, dustballs visible all over the living room, limescale ridden toilet, filthy kitchen bin, rotting food in the fridge, furniture pulled out and askew, cat litter tray full. The garden me and dc used to look after was shocking- weeds, litter everywhere, dirty patio. He didn't even make the house nice for our return that he insisted on for so long. It seemed intentional (although he is totally incompetent on the cleaning front.) He hasn't even bothered to take the elderly cat to the vet and he is now very overdue.

He has now told me that he is 'really happy' we are back, but that i have to give him time as he has been alone for so long. He blames all our issues on my affai and I feel he always will. I feel like a total mug to be honest. My gut is telling me that we are OVER and it was a mistake to come back, however sad everybody was at the situation. I had a small but nice flat rented (I still have it, as i had to prepay rent) and dc didn't have to live with H's moods. I know that H will never forgive me for the emotional affair and fair enough, but why did he want us back? He could have just moved on. I don't love him and i am done grovelling. I've spent days cleaning the place and doing chores and H doesn't even seem to like me. I notice how dc is following him around the house for attention, something she has always done, and it kills me now it's so obvious. She deserves better. We both do. I made a mistake and yes i left him but i am not a monster. I was a good wife and mother for years.

WIBU to tell him it's over and file for divorce?

OP posts:
takealettermsjones · 23/10/2024 16:29

Reheated soup is never as good.

It's clearly over. You either do the hard work now and stand firm with the break, or you're here again in a few months'/years' time.

RandomMess · 23/10/2024 16:34

Actions speak louder than words.

He is going to blame everything and anything on you forever. File for divorce with the plan to stay in the area OR move in time for your DD to start in a different area, everything changes with the transition to secondary school. Doesn't sound like he will even make an effort with her?

Heronwatcher · 23/10/2024 16:41

No YANBU. He’ll be even worse now you’ve come back.

My only worry would be moving your DD again so soon. Could he leave this time, or could you leave and stay in the area?

bananallama6 · 23/10/2024 16:42

Dc is actually still enrolled in their school, we left at the start of their 2 week half term and I predicted this would happen tbh so I didn't unenrol them. Thats also part of my urgency on deciding this right now. She doesnt really like the school but i think she could in time with support. I dont have the option to move back here alone as it is a very expensive city and I am not a high earner and it is far from my support networks.

OP posts:
Heronwatcher · 23/10/2024 16:52

bananallama6 · 23/10/2024 16:42

Dc is actually still enrolled in their school, we left at the start of their 2 week half term and I predicted this would happen tbh so I didn't unenrol them. Thats also part of my urgency on deciding this right now. She doesnt really like the school but i think she could in time with support. I dont have the option to move back here alone as it is a very expensive city and I am not a high earner and it is far from my support networks.

Edited

I think in that case I’d go back quickly. As you say it sounds like your DD would settle eventually and there are options for secondary. Do you think she’ll understand? Surely she can see that he’s not been looking after the house/ garden and that he’s hardly overjoyed at having you back.

This time file for divorce immediately so he can’t play mind games and so that you get your finances sorted.

AcrossthePond55 · 23/10/2024 20:44

@bananallama6

He's 'happy you're back', eh? Sure, back under 'his' terms meaning he hasn't changed a damn thing about himself. You're back in the same rut with the same man doing his same behaviours. Of course he's happy, why shouldn't he be? As far as he's concerned you're 'back in your box' after very little effort on his part and apparently no feeling that he needs to change.

As far as why he wanted you back despite the affair, well, you provide all the 'home comforts', don't you? You do the cleaning, the cooking, the life admin, and provide him with sex. And all with no or very little effort on his part. Who wouldn't want that deal?

Leave. Leave as soon as you possibly can. The sooner you're back in your flat the sooner your DD will readjust to her new life and her new school. She needs to feel that where you were living (the flat) is her permanent home now. That there will be no more 'reconciliations'.

As far as filing for divorce, before you do anything see a solicitor. Lay out your and his respective financial positions and assets. Let them advise you as to what you may expect as a settlement and what (if applicable) options there are if you own a home jointly. They can also advise on reasonable child access and maintenance. Once you've educated yourself as to the process and potential results, then decide if the time is right for you to file for divorce.

Thatnameistaken · 23/10/2024 21:06

My guess is he wants you back because he finds 'keeping house' on his own too much trouble, his feelings haven't changed at all but he wants a wife figure there to look after him and do the cooking, cleaning and admin.

Ull · 23/10/2024 21:11

go home OP and never go back to him, he’s emotionally abusive and manipulative.
File for divorce and be happy with your children, honestly now go tonight or tomorrow morning.

FairyMaclary · 23/10/2024 21:21

Op what research have you done on ptsd caused by a cheating partner?

He won’t ’get over it’. It is likely to be haunting him. Have you read ‘how to help your spouse heal from your affair’ by Macdonald or ‘not just friends’ by Shirley Glass. Or checked out the surviving infidelity forum. With a supportive and remorseful spouse it is possible to build a new marriage. But it takes 2-5 years. And triggers will always be there for him. An affair is like burning down the house because the roof tiles are loose.

Cheating in a nutshell by Mitchell and Mitchell is another one you could read.

I think you are expecting too much from him. The contempt (for example using tantrum when he is possibly triggered) you have for him is never going to help you reconcile.

why did you cheat rather than suggesting marriage counselling or divorce?

Heronwatcher · 23/10/2024 21:33

FairyMaclary · 23/10/2024 21:21

Op what research have you done on ptsd caused by a cheating partner?

He won’t ’get over it’. It is likely to be haunting him. Have you read ‘how to help your spouse heal from your affair’ by Macdonald or ‘not just friends’ by Shirley Glass. Or checked out the surviving infidelity forum. With a supportive and remorseful spouse it is possible to build a new marriage. But it takes 2-5 years. And triggers will always be there for him. An affair is like burning down the house because the roof tiles are loose.

Cheating in a nutshell by Mitchell and Mitchell is another one you could read.

I think you are expecting too much from him. The contempt (for example using tantrum when he is possibly triggered) you have for him is never going to help you reconcile.

why did you cheat rather than suggesting marriage counselling or divorce?

But she doesn’t love him, she’d fallen out of love with him before the affair and only went back because she thought it was best for him and her DD. Surely to bother with all of this you’d need to feel genuine love for the other person. Plus he sounds useless to boot.

Goballistic · 23/10/2024 21:35

You're entitled to leave it doesn't sound like any of you will be happy but don't leave the cat with him that's not fair on the cat

Wolframandhart · 23/10/2024 21:47

why did he want us back?... I've spent days cleaning the place and doing chores

you answered you own question. Go back to the flat.

sandyhappypeople · 23/10/2024 21:59

I don't really understand what you are doing and I think you are being really unfair on your DD.

You fell out of love with him, he's not a brilliant dad or husband, it's not unusual for that to happen, you had an emotional affair as a consequence of not loving him or feeling valued.. all pretty normal stuff, amicable separation seems the best solution all round.

But then you decided to stay and try and work it out?

Then you left suddenly and without warning, uprooting your DD in the process and putting her in a new school??

He has now given you an ultimatum, come back or divorce.. so you've gone back all of a sudden???

You're now wanting to leave again and uproot DD again????

With kindness, what the hell are you doing? You don't love him, what possible reason have you got for now trying to 'reconcile'.. reconcile what, you admit you've kept one foot out the door because you knew this wasn't going to work out? There must be a piece of this jigsaw missing because I can't understand why you are dragging your daughter back and forth.. they are both angry at the way you left originally and they are justified in being angry about that, if your guilt about that is the reason you have gone back now then you need to have a word with yourself and realise what affect this is all having on your child.

You need to talk like grown ups, and separate properly with a plan in place so that your daughter fully understands her options and what her future holds.. at the minute she seems to be dragged along with however you feel this week or next, no wonder she's following her dad around like a lost puppy, it's not fair on her at all.

AutumnFroglets · 23/10/2024 22:13

He doesn't clean or look after the house.
He ignores his own child.
He's frequently nasty to his own child.
He didn't properly care for an elderly cat.
He's said he will never forgive you.

Why the hell did you go back?

Btw anyone who neglects or doesn't do basic care for an animal is borderline psychopathic in my view. Don't leave that poor animal behind this time, who knows how he will treat it. Be far better pts than left in his "care".

BobbyBiscuits · 23/10/2024 22:19

Definitely file for divorce. He's not changed one bit. His ultimatum was bollocks. Come back, do all the cleaning, I'll scroll my phone and spend zero time with you and my child.
Fuck that. He had a chance to show you he changed but did even bother to try for five minutes. You and your child deserve better. Of course he can still see your kid but divorce him and move back out. I hope you can stay with parents for a while if you've lost the flat you moved to initially?

bananallama6 · 23/10/2024 23:35

@sandyhappypeople i know, in my defence all i can say is i feel i have been really ground down by H. For many years of our relationship (probably all but the first actually) he has used stonewalling, sulking and threats to leave to punish me and as the child of a very acrimonious divorce myself, it has added up to make me feel like i could not leave, until i just did one day. Dc wasnt angry we left, she actually told me she didn;t like it where we were, it has been more recent that she has told me she misses home, and combined with H's nasty texts and threats and yes my own guilt about being a shit mother and wife (things H has said to me before), i caved to his demand. I feel like a trainwreck, trust me. I've been in emotional turmoil over all this for so long my physical health has gone down the toilet and i have struggled badly with decision making, i have a panic attack when h starts getting mean even over messages. It has kept me stuck. I told dc we were going back to see her friends and her dad so she actually is under that impression. I guess it is right i have kept 'one foot out the door', because i dont' trust H not to act this way. But here i am so quickly back in the rut and i can only move forward, i wish i had left a year ago, i was just too scared for whatever reason. He doesnt physically scare me but he does emotionally trigger me. i've had bad panic and anxiety since about 2 years into our marriage and it is deifnitely related. But to be honest I dont know why i am here except out of guilt for breaking up dc's home and guilt that H is so upset and i have ruined his life. The weight of it has made me feel like i dont want to carry on at times. I have come off hormonal BC in an attempt to try and get on top of my swirling emotions and i am starting counselling next week.

OP posts:
TheSoloPenalty · 23/10/2024 23:43

go back to your rental flat, put DD back in school and never regret your decision

Disturbtheuniverse · 24/10/2024 00:09

My ex DH sounds a bit like yours - just a vortex of misery really and emotionally abusive to boot. You will never ever be happy around a man who uses threats.

As someone else has said, your DC comes first. I am still not sure whether you think that is with her dad or without, but her dad seems to bring nothing positive into her life - only neglect and treating her mum like dirt.

It is hard being alone and seeing families out together - I'm going through this now. Then I remind myself how he was a selfish, moody person who ruined a lot of trips that should have been happy. It's a fantasy that things could have been different because he is still the same. This seems to apply to your DH. He is still the same amd the life you want with him is just a fantasy.

nOasistickets · 24/10/2024 00:18

FFS dont go back to him - he sounds awful. Your child will be so much better off away from a father like that dont you think?! Move on with your life.

MumChp · 24/10/2024 00:20

Don't!

bananallama6 · 24/10/2024 00:26

Yes, i am really struggling with the cold hard fact that these problems have been there for years, i should/could have left him years ago and i didnt, i let go of the OM who i really cared for because i had so much guilt and wanted to make the marriage work, i was betting on potential of who H 'could' be but our time apart has underlined that he is a manchild who wants to live in a filthy home, sit on a screen, and blame me for his unhappiness whether i am physically there or not. we live/d in one of the coolest cities in the world arguably and he made no attempt to make a life there in years. He has been saying i ruined his life and that he is alone and has nothing. Like that is my fault. He couldnt even bother to care for our cat, or water a lovely pineapple plant dc got him for fathers day- it has keeled over as he didnt even bother to give it minimal water despite the fact it sits beside his bed. He couldnt bother to come and see us, he just wanted to summon me back. Right now he is lying on his phone in his bedroom. Why did he even want us back if he's ignoring us. Dc asked him to do a very simple halloween activity that H bought at the shop and he made an excuse, even though HE bought it! Its been barely a week since we came back. I feel sick.

OP posts:
K37529 · 24/10/2024 00:32

What a mess OP. Lucky you still have the flat. Go home. You don’t love him, he’s not a good husband, he’s not a good dad, he basically brought you back to be his maid, and he will never stop punishing you for the affair, just leave.

Namaqua · 24/10/2024 01:00

Just go, it's over. Don't waste your time any more. But please don't leave your elderly cat behind to be neglected by him any more

KatParr · 24/10/2024 06:41

Leave, take the poor bloody cat with you and get some support or therapy for your daughter. Don't dither again over this. Now is the time for meaningful and real decisions.

Icequeen01 · 24/10/2024 07:16

Goballistic · 23/10/2024 21:35

You're entitled to leave it doesn't sound like any of you will be happy but don't leave the cat with him that's not fair on the cat

This