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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.

Lockdown has made things so much worse

6 replies

PaulaProctor · 07/03/2021 13:57

OH and I have always argued. He never stops himself telling me where I have gone wrong. Now working at home with three kids at home I feel trapped. I have had to take a sick day because our arguing was so bad just before my morning meeting that I couldn't log on.
We have talked divorce but only when we are angry.
He says that he will fight me every step of the way for the children. Or he says he will disappear and the children will never see him again.
He has high blood pressure which has been picked up several times over the last five or so years but now he blames me for it and says I am trying to push him into a box.
Everything is my fault according to him but if I try and talk about it I am labelled as being defensive or aggressive or sensitive or engaging in tit for tat. I end up crying a lot which he sees as manipulation. I just don't have anywhere to go with my emotions.
I have no money saved. The house needs work doing to it, which OH does. I can't move out with the kids. He would rather I just move out. I am not going to leave the children though.
I shout because I am so frustrated. I swear at him because he won't listen. But that just puts me in a bad position. Last argument he grabbed me really hard by the arms and pushed me against the wall digging his nails in. I should say there were no bruises afterwards. He tries to get me to hit him sometimes.
I don't know what to do. I feel trapped and sometimes I fantasies about suicide because I feel so trapped. I wouldn't do this though because of the damage to the children.
I am trying to be a better person, I have done talking therapies, I am very different to when we first met. But it's not enough for him. He still criticises me all the time.
Is there a way to switch off emotions for five years until the kids are older and I have some money and can get away?

OP posts:
Magnificentmug12 · 07/03/2021 14:04

Just disengage from the relationship, look at it as living with a flat mate, that way when he does things that annoy you you can pay it no mind because you don’t care about him. Alternatively you can leave, but that doesn’t sound like a good plan if you have no money.

You also have the option to try and work things out.

PaulaProctor · 07/03/2021 15:06

We've tried many times to work things out, but as soon as we start arguing we revert to how we always are.
I am going to try and disengage further and save my money and look forward to a te when I don't have to listen to him anymore.

OP posts:
ProseccoThyme · 07/03/2021 15:30

Have you spoken to Woman's aid? What he is doing is abusive, manipulating you & blaming you for his behaviour. Abusive men also frequently threaten to take children away, etc.

Agree with PP about disengaging & also seeing a solicitor.

PersimmonTree · 07/03/2021 16:42

Please get a good therapist OP, as an emotional release and a very important first step. You can't do it all by yourself.

PaulaProctor · 07/03/2021 17:53

I did talking therapies and she did suggest I contact relate.
I also saw a solicitor for a 30 minute free consultation. She said I definitely shouldn't move out and leave the kids there as it could be used against me. Which I have considered, but that would be too much for me.

OH has said that he feels like he is going to finish the house and then I am going to leave him. Er yup I have seriously considered that. Currently the children say they don't want us to divorce. But I don't want them to see us arguing all the time either.
I haven't spoken go women's aid as in the scale of things there are women who need it way more than me and I would feel fraudulent.

OP posts:
Watermelons29 · 10/03/2021 11:19

I think you should definitely call Women's Aid. The fact you feel trapped is mainly due to his abusive behavior.

Also, check the 'entitled to' website to see how much universal credit you could get living alone with the children. Also the CMS calculator.

If you have any joint accounts, transfer out what is yours.

It's not healthy for your children to witness arguing and him putting you down all the time. They will grow up thinking it's normal.

I would either totally ignore him or laugh in his face when he goes off on one and walk away. However, with the children around, and in general, totally best to just avoid him and any possible conflict. He wants you to argue with him, don't play his games.

Until you can move, with the weather getting better and lockdown restrictions being eased, try to get out more with the children, you'll feel much better.

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