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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Please help...so torn

17 replies

Frazzledmum37 · 19/10/2019 08:31

I've been married for 10 years and with my dh for 12. We have 2 dd's aged 6 and 9. 2 years into the marriage my dh stopped all intimate contact and there was no hand holding, kissing or sex. It stopped as we had a number of issues unrelated to the relationship (unwell child in and out of hospital, redundancy etc). I think he was depressed but wouldn't get help. I'm my 10 year marriage I have had sex 5 times in the last 7 years and not been kissed or had sex at all in the last 4. In addition to this, I earn almost 3 x his salary so have gotten myself in debt paying for the kids clothes, shoes, clubs, days out and family holidays. He doesn't try to progress at work and has lost jobs previously for lack of work ethic. I do most things around the house but get accused of nagging if I ask for help. We have slept in separate rooms for 4 years as dh needs an op for chronic snoring which he refuses to have. Throughout the marriage there have been bereavements and hard times and dh developed a drinking problem. He is erratic and rude when drunk and we have lost most mutual friends. He isn't a bad person, he is lovely to me but a bit like a lost child that I have to parent and with work and two other kids who have health issues, it's hard work. After a year of marriage counselling we decided to separate but have remained living together. I asked him to stop drinking and support us more by helping me out more. He didnt do either and we are now nearing the end of the year and I told him I wanted a divorce. The last 2 weeks he has turned it around and has stopped drinking and is being more helpful. I'm so torn, I dont want my kids to have to undergo upheaval of divorce, I'm scared of going it alone and I do care for dh, he is a great hands on dad for example. On the flip side I dated briefly, while we were separated, and found joy in being found attractive by a man, holding hands and feeling closeness. Dh promises to address the intimacy if we for back together but I dont want the next 40 years to be hard graft, having to do everything with him slipping back into drinking and having no sex, cuddles etc. What do I do? This is eating me up alive

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 19/10/2019 08:43

Get rid. He may have bucked his ideas up but it won't last. As soon as he feels safe, he'll slip back into his old ways, especially as he doesn't really want to change. He doesn't want to do anything about the snoring and he's happy to let you carry the financial burden, and do everything in the home. The children will be ok. They'll still see him. As you say, can you really live like this for the next 40 years?

Frazzledmum37 · 19/10/2019 08:48

Thank you, that's what I am scared of. He seems to 'pull it out the bag' at the 11th hour when I tell him I've had enough.

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AloneLonelyLoner · 19/10/2019 11:58

I was in your position.

It'll be a brief change. If he were able to change, truly, and put someone other than himself first, and recognise your needs too then he would've done it sooner. He's clinging to you like a raft. He'll drag you down.

Leave. I know it's hard. But the kids will be ok in the end. You are the blueprint for their future relationships. Do you want this for them?

Frazzledmum37 · 19/10/2019 14:11

Thank you. It's so hard as he isnt a horrible person and is quite lovely to me most of the time, he is just set in his ways and doesn't make the effort that he should

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Singlenotsingle · 19/10/2019 22:26

Don't make excuses for him.

Frazzledmum37 · 21/10/2019 18:15

No, you're right x

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BellaPuppy · 21/10/2019 20:15

Get rid. He may have bucked his ideas up but it won't last. As soon as he feels safe, he'll slip back into his old ways, especially as he doesn't really want to change. He doesn't want to do anything about the snoring and he's happy to let you carry the financial burden, and do everything in the home. The children will be ok. They'll still see him. As you say, can you really live like this for the next 40 years?

This I agree with above... by @Singlenotsingle

Frazzledmum37 · 23/10/2019 18:59

Thank you x

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bluebella4 · 24/10/2019 11:20

Sounds very sad, but you are not his carer, you can't help him if he can't help himself. The fact you have final seen your worth and stopped enabling him. Hes shit himself because he will either have to look after himself or fall further but that is not your problem.

Im glad you have seen your worth. Hopefully he will see his when you have moved on with your life!

Frazzledmum37 · 29/10/2019 20:57

Update. I'm divorcing him and house goes on sale tomo. Final nail in coffin was the discovery of lots of debt through secret loans he has taken out over the last 5 years. He asked me to bail him out by remortgaging. No way. I'm devastated as he has forced my hand but I need to leave. Feel so low and sad.

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bluebell34567 · 29/10/2019 21:08

it will be sad and low for a while but in the long term it will be lots better for you and kids.you wouldnt want a role model like him for them either.Flowers

Frazzledmum37 · 30/10/2019 20:16

Thank you x trying to stop from "rescuing" him like I normally would. Feel very sorry for him but no going back.

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Frazzledmum37 · 06/11/2019 12:54

Need a 'slap' as I'm wavering today

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Macaroni46 · 06/11/2019 13:05

Slap!!
Seriously OP you have made the right decision. This man is a waste of space. He is not lovely to you. He has run up debts, shows you no affection or intimacy, is lazy around the home and drinks. Please stick to your guns. You can do this.
Sending you hugs Thanks

imclaustrophobicdarren · 06/11/2019 13:11

SLAP! you can do this OP Thanks

Tooner · 06/11/2019 13:14

Come on OP. You have no worth to him except financer and housemaid.
Start a new life away from all the strain and stresses that living with him is causing you. You deserve to be happy and loved not handed bloody crumbs when you threaten to leave.

Frazzledmum37 · 24/11/2019 20:17

Well, it's done. House sold and offer accepted on new house. Kids told. Feeling a bit broken, struggling in my new job and permanently exhausted. Hoping its going to get easier.

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