Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Divorce/separation

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

Husband not respecting need for space in separation during divorce

10 replies

Wigmohi · 29/05/2024 23:40

My husband wanted a divorce which we are now progressing. He refuses to move out of the family home until things are finalises (which Im aware could take months!!!). Ive told him I need space and Im functioning as if Im a single parent. I won't go out of my way to cook for him now, but if dinner left over etc thats fine, but Im now focusing on me and the kids and dont want to create a 'new normal' while he is under the same roof.

He is reluctantly sleeping in our Childs bedroom as until I stood my ground as he thought it was ok to create this new normal and sleep in the marital bed. Our child is now sleeping in with me in the marital bed and he sleeps in Childs bedroom (he is very upset at me making him do this and feels we should take it in turns to sleep in Childs bedroom). Ive told him that Im trying to make the best out of a bad situation (that he drove!) and not to keep coming into my bedroom ensuite at night (he does every night) to brush teeth, go to the bathroom etc. We have two other bathrooms but he refuses as "Im doing what Ive always done" - he doesnt see that we are in a new world now and Im finding it very triggering where he is not respecting my need for space. Im trying to find some evidence that help him to understand why we cant live in a new normal and how I need us to live separately while under the same roof, including sleeping in separate rooms, eating at different times and carrying out household chores separately etc. He just doesnt understand and makes me out to be unreasonable "Getting your own way again". It's making things unbearable and I feel it's verging on emotional abuse where he isn't respecting my need for my own space and is making the whole situation more painful for me. If anyone has any advice or research that I can point him to for backing up how I feel it would be really appreciated. For reference I suspect he is autistic so emotional connection isn't something he relates to very well.

Husband not respecting need for space in separation during divorce
OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 29/05/2024 23:46

Your poor kids. The atmosphere in your home must be absolutely horrible. Tell him to consider that when he's being so bloody obnoxious.

RandomMess · 30/05/2024 00:01

Let him have the marital bedroom and bed share with DC and you move into DC bedroom.

He isn't going to be reasonable is he?

Move all your stuff into DC bedroom etc and put a lock on the door.

GerbilsForever24 · 30/05/2024 00:16

I am.guessing there's loads of shitty behaviour long before he decided to ask for a divorce. He was most likely always emotionally abusive and controlling.

Tell him that as you are dovorcing, you don't share things. Perhaps let him have the main bedroom and en suite and you take the other bedroom?

I don't really have useful advice though. Wankers will be wankers.

TomeTome · 30/05/2024 00:20

When is he moving out?

Wigmohi · 30/05/2024 08:08

TomeTome · 30/05/2024 00:20

When is he moving out?

He refuses to move out until it’s all sorted quoting “it’s my house too, I’ve every right to live here”

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 30/05/2024 08:26

Wigmohi · 30/05/2024 08:08

He refuses to move out until it’s all sorted quoting “it’s my house too, I’ve every right to live here”

He’s not wrong there is he? Do you own the house or is it rented? Why do you assume that he’s the one that will be moving out? Your divorce could take months - you both need to sit down and work out your long term living arrangements now. As has already been said, it must be horrendous for your DC living in that atmosphere.

Ereyraa · 30/05/2024 08:29

Wigmohi · 30/05/2024 08:08

He refuses to move out until it’s all sorted quoting “it’s my house too, I’ve every right to live here”

This is the case, though. He would likely be advised by a lawyer to stay put. There is no rule that the person who instigates the split has to be the one who moves out.

Get legal advice asap, get the house sold and split the proceeds however you’re advised, and move on.

Wigmohi · 30/05/2024 08:36

Soontobe60 · 30/05/2024 08:26

He’s not wrong there is he? Do you own the house or is it rented? Why do you assume that he’s the one that will be moving out? Your divorce could take months - you both need to sit down and work out your long term living arrangements now. As has already been said, it must be horrendous for your DC living in that atmosphere.

Yes I know he has every right to live here until its all sorted, Im just asking for him to respect my request for space while we are going through this difficult time. Expecting to come in the bathroom when Im sleeping, expecting me to cook for him, to do his washing, etc is just adding to the pain and causing me to be very anxious. Ive got legal advice and have a strong case to remain in the family home for many reason so eventually I see he needs to move out.

OP posts:
FartSock5000 · 30/05/2024 08:36

@Wigmohi give him the main bedroom and en suite and you move into DC bedroom and put a lock on the door.

Look up "grey rock" technique. Its not your job to explain anything. He knows what he is doing. He wanted this but the reality is bothering him. He thought he'd still get sex and his clothes washed and meals made despite upending your life. You're teaching him different and he doesn't like it.

DC needs space too. Could you turn the dining room into a temp bedroom for DC?

FlipFlops4Me · 30/05/2024 08:44

Leave his dirty washing on the floor - just kick it into the corner of the utility and leave it. Only cook enough for you and the DC. Move into DC's bedroom and leave STBxH the previous marital bed and bathroom. Your DC can share with him. Put a lock or bolt on what is now your room door.

And grey rock him. Just stop responding altogether. That is far better for your DC than arguments. And you'll feel happier too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page