Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What to do, should I save my marriage or move on

73 replies

missymo2018 · 14/01/2026 12:51

Sorry for essay its a complex situation. We've been married 10 years, together 16, separated currently for 10 weeks and 2 kids together.

Back story we have had 13 good years and 3 not so good. My husband has had huge debts previously from partying and gambling up to 50k could be more now.
I have taken out big loans on his behalf. There has also been an incident emptying our account on a gamble he lost and we missed our mortgage. I hadn't realised months prior he had been continually to withdraw money from our piggy bank as he pleased. I have always paid for all the kids things, clothes, all our furniture in the home etc and was always happy to do so as we were happy. He has always been a partier and heavy drinker he would go out 2/3 times a week often not telling me he's going out and occasionally not coming home, this has increased in the last year massively. He has left him last minute to go away for a weekend with random people when I had booked big work events and required him to help with the kids. I've been more or less a single parent since day one. I have accepted him for who he is and supportive in the debts despite continuing to go out and worsening our financial position. I have an extra business on the side to ensure our kids can go to all their activities and life continued as normal. However in the last two years he has grown more and more resentful towards me and his anger and irritability have escalated, I have had to manage these reactions and agree on things to keep the calm in the house and have gone into myself a bit which he is claiming now made him lonely. I've suggested perhaps he could have depression which did not go down well as this was seen as labelling but also I have considered it could potentially be drugs (which was even more of an insult and got very defensive labelling falsely other members of my family taking them, he has admitted to taking them before however.

I don't believe he is cheating although he has been spotted out with another girl in a bar alone and was defensive when asked, he doesn't seem like a cheater to me however it's not to say that it could have happened or be happening.

How we ended up separated, I originally asked him to go and stay with his family when he didn't come home from work one evening instead went on a bender and didn't return until the following evening and then was angry at me for not collecting him. Originally I thought he would spend a few days with his family it would be a wake up call and to show that this behaviour couldn't go on however he's been more and more angry through messages for making him live there rather than acknowledging the behaviour before. My kids have not missed him in the house probably because it isn't much different except a calmer house and they still see him regularly.

I have not missed him however my main thing is we have had so many good years together, should i try and save this and put this down to a midlife crisis. I've suggested couples therapy as I think an independent person would be helpful when I talk to him, it's like my words go through a washing machine and somehow he is the victim and I'm being ridiculous. He has ignored my messages on the conselling which makes me think he would not agree to this.

OP posts:
JoleneYouCanHaveHim · 14/01/2026 12:56

You haven’t had good years together! He’s an absolute waster while you do everything, he spends the money you earn, he fucks off on holiday with randoms leaving you behind without a backward glance…I mean that’s just the bare minimum really of the shite he’s put you through.

My question is, what on earth is possessing you to want to save this in any way??? You should go to counselling - ALONE.

This is not a relationship that can nor should be revived. The fact you can’t see this is quite scary, you have explained away every transgression in your own head…and for what? Debt you’ll have to live with for years on end and life as a single parent.

Myfridgeiscool · 14/01/2026 12:58

This is an example of the sunken costs fallacy isn’t it? Don’t throw more good years at this. Now he’s out, keep him out.
He's just dragging you down further and further. Drop the rope and save you and the kids from more misery.

Lennonjingles · 14/01/2026 12:58

It doesn’t sound like he wants to change or to get help the gambling or with counselling to save marriage, so no, until he shows that he wants to change or at least can see how his actions are impacting your family, I would stay separated, especially as your DC seem happier when he’s not there.

AwfullyGood · 14/01/2026 12:59

You need to save yourself & the kids, not save your shambles of a marraige.

Sorry he's not the mam you thought he was but there are too many issues here. This msn will bankrupt you, erode yourself esteem, and leave you all damaged.

Get out & stay out.

OhDear111 · 14/01/2026 13:00

Honestly! No. He’s simply not a good husband or dad. He’s not interested and wants to carry on doing what he does. Gamble and booze. I’d see a solicitor asap. He’s not being reasonable and I’d be very angry. He’s not going to be responsible without gambling intervention and he’s not willing to talk about problems because he does not think he’s got any - it’s all your fault. This is so typical and I would not expect him to change. It’s sad, but there it is. Do not bail him out and talk to solicitor about any debts.

Morepositivemum · 14/01/2026 13:01

I don’t know op, I don’t get how they are good years if you were firefighting so much. It could be depression or a mid life crisis but he needs to acknowledge that, you can’t save him, he needs to figure it out himself. And him saying you retreated, I’d be asking him ‘were you not worried? Was it all about you?’ I think you both need a non angry talk where you both lay it out and then you need to think that if you stay together, things need to be easier for you

Maaate · 14/01/2026 13:01

There's literally nothing worth saving

ThreeTescoBags · 14/01/2026 13:02

I think going for counselling on your own whilst you are separated to sort the wood from the trees in your own mind first would be a good idea. Understand your own needs, then you can decide how you wish to proceed in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling for you.

From an outsiders perspective from what you said, it sounds like you'd be better moving on from one another, but things are often more complicated than that and you have to reach a conclusion through your own thought process.

Lurkingandlearning · 14/01/2026 13:03

Those years were good because you tolerated him partying like a single kid with no responsibilities. Were they really all that good for you and your children? Even that tolerance wasn’t enough for him as he’s actually got worse as he has got older. So he is never going to grow up and become a decent father and husband. Ditch him before he causes any more damage.

missymo2018 · 14/01/2026 13:04

Wow ok I think I needed to hear this today I’m going to save some of these answers for when I question myself again 🙏🏻thank you for taking the time to respond

OP posts:
Pollqueen · 14/01/2026 13:04

I honestly have no words and am absolutely flabbergasted that you consider any of this a good relationship. Please proceed with the counselling, definitely without him. Hopefully it will open your eyes as to what you have been tolerating

Ddayishere · 14/01/2026 13:04

He's a gambling addict. He doesn't want to change his party life style. He is possibly cheating on you.
Honestly OP what does it take for you to see the only person he cares about is himself?
For the sake of yourself, and very importantly, your DC, you need to stop being his enabler.

AutumnFroglets · 14/01/2026 13:05

Go to counselling on your own to figure out why you are lying to yourself. You've not had a good marriage and he is not a good partner. Your marriage is built on lies and addiction instead of trust and honesty.

You might be willing to save the marriage but is he willing to change who he is too? Is he willing to change for a whole year to prove he can? Most people cannot change themselves that much btw.

Edit
Originally I thought he would spend a few days with his family it would be a wake up call and to show that this behaviour couldn't go on however he's been more and more angry through messages for making him live there rather than acknowledging the behaviour before.
Oh nvm. @missymo2018 you are flogging a dead horse with this waste of space. Just leave and stay away.

BlueJuniper94 · 14/01/2026 13:05

I only read the first quarter of this. Do not waste any more of your precious life on this fool.

Rickrolypoly · 14/01/2026 13:06

Id be making it official

SugarCoatSandwich · 14/01/2026 13:10
  1. He is unstable.
  2. You've been separated for 10 weeks.
  3. The biggest stability you can give you kids is to see the seperation through.

Try to objectively see that our brains fears change and wants to convince you back into "comfortable", even if "comfortable" really just means shitty.

Your 10 weeks through then pain. Like an addict. Don't go back, go forward. In 10 more weeks it will be better and you'll wonder why you wobbled. It's just brain chemistry. You can override it.

tryingtobesogood · 14/01/2026 13:10

Oh my dear, you work 2 jobs to pay for your OH to drink, take drugs, gamble, go on holiday without you and shag other women.

What else does he need to do for you to see what a terrible marriage you have and how much you have enabled him? Please get some help and support and don't take him back. First step is to move all your money away from him so he can't access it any more, check whether he has taken out loans in your name without your knowledge and report any verbal and physical violence to the police.

BitOutOfPractice · 14/01/2026 13:15

Well your description of “good years” is a million miles from mine. He’s an angry abusive gambling-addicted alcoholic who has been freeloading off you - financially and practically - for years. And that’s what you know about. Throw in possible cheating and drug Taking and you really have a prince among men there.

Take a leaf out of your kids’ book and move on. They must be relieved to be living in a calm house now.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 14/01/2026 13:18

Why do you want to save your marriage? He is a crap partner and a crap father.

HerbertPootle · 14/01/2026 13:18

‘I have not missed him’
‘My kids have not missed him’

Thats what you need to focus on.

WineIsMyMainVice · 14/01/2026 13:24

I’m not a fan of the frequency with which you see “LTB” on here but in this case I think it’s necessary. You need to do right by yourself and your children.
Good luck for the future op. Stay strong.

Nevereatcardboard · 14/01/2026 13:40

Read your opening post again and imagine it was one of your children telling you about their partner constantly lying, gambling and getting into massive debt while also (likely) cheating. Would you advise them to stay with such a scumbag? I certainly wouldn’t and I’d hope you want better for them and for yourself.

MatildaTheCat · 14/01/2026 13:44

Come on now.

And maybe I missed this but I’d bet my bottom dollar he’s also shoving your money up his nose as well as pissing it down the drain. That’s your family money.

BIN HIM OFF!

Starlight1979 · 14/01/2026 13:52

I have not missed him however my main thing is we have had so many good years together

Which years were the "good years" OP?

Because, in your own words:

I have always paid for all the kids things, clothes, furniture etc

more or less been a single parent since day one

he has always been a partier and heavy drinker he would go out 2/3 times a week often not telling me he's going out and occasionally not coming home

Kind of contradicts itself doesn't it?

HoseGoblin · 14/01/2026 13:52

Are the good years in the room with us?

Honestly you need to raise your bar if your definition of good is a man who goes out partying, fucks off on holiday without you, engages in gambling and drugs, spends all your money to the point you're missing mortgage payments, and cheats on you (because given all of the above and the fact he obviously lies about these things to you, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he'd ticked that dickhead box too). Come on. That's not good that's atrocious. The red flags could be seen from space.

Swipe left for the next trending thread