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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.

Husband wants to leave me, but I have 3 under 4!

1000 replies

Gnarly999 · 10/02/2025 14:33

This is my first post, but I’m exploding and don’t want to talk to my friends as it makes it all “too real”, so hoping I can talk on here..
I have a 6 month old, 2 and 4 year old, and really struggle to cope. My husband travels a lot for work which has been really difficult and our marriage has died. I’ve been resentful and probably not very nice to him, but all I really wanted was for him to show me some love and affection and to put our family first, and be here more. I was lonely and struggling and needed him.
After a few months of arguing he says he wants to leave me!! I’m devastated on every level. He says he loves me like a sister but not a wife, doesn’t fancy me (I’m still fairly attractive I think). Says he can’t live like this and needs to focus on his work (we easily have enough money anyway). He’s also bringing up arguments from 15 years ago and replaying every negative thing that’s happened between us!
I’ve begged him to stay and to try and at least to wait until the kids are a bit older. I actually don’t know how I’d cope. I’m a SAHM, and feel completely hopeless.
what should I do? Fight for him to stay and to make it work? Or get some self respect and tell him to leave?
I just don’t think I’d ever get over this, and my heart feels broken for the children too. I can’t stop crying. Help!!

OP posts:
Optimist2020 · 10/02/2025 14:51

Sorry to read this @Gnarly999 . If you have family or friends that you can confide in that will be helpful as you will need all the support you can get.

Did you work before you became a sahm? Do you have access to the family finances ?

Would marriage counselling be beneficial? If you can (or can’t) work through this, I’d suggest getting back to work asap, as you are in a vulnerable situation.

Mrsttcno1 · 10/02/2025 14:51

I’m so sorry OP. It sounds like he has made his decision, one person cannot make a marriage work and begging him won’t lead to a happily ever after, so don’t do that. All it will do is destroy your self esteem when he still walks away regardless.

Speak to your friends and family, lean on those who love you, you will get through this x

SereneCapybara · 10/02/2025 14:53

You both need to calm down. You both need to acknowledge that no one is at their best with a new baby, let alone three preschoolers. Everyone is ratty, exhausted, unable to focus on their own needs.

Ask him how he'd feel if you told him that you were leaving him and the children. That you were leaving him with sole responsibility for those three lives. If he thinks he'd find it hard to cope, why does he think it's okay to land this burden and stress on you when you are already so clearly stressed and exhausted. Point out that this would be cowardly, selfish and brutal and if he does this knowingly after you have explained how cruel it would be, it could push you over the edge.

He needs to man up and understand he is a father with commitments, not a single man who can skip off if things aren't easy. You both need to make an effort to look after yourselves and each other, as well as your children.

You say you have money. Then please at very least get a cleaner and a Mother's Help or housekeeper or part time nanny, who can look after the children for at least one or two days a week while you take time for yourself. Go out on dates with each other, where you actually do things you used to enjoy together - music gigs or comedy or skating or watching live sport - whatever you used to have in common.

When he mentions the rows, mention the good times. Explain the reality to him of splitting up just because you are both exhausted. He will need a second home so he can have the children half the time, and you can get a job. His standard of living will plummet and so will his children's. Is this what he wants for them? What does he want for them? Two smaller, cramped homes? The children would be shunted around between childcare and two homes and only ever have one parent around to deal with all three of them, which will make them needier and more difficult and insecure. Can he think of an alternative? Is he aware these tough times don't last forever? Is he really so wimpy he can't cope with hardship for a while?

Far better to behave like responsible, loving adults, capable of riding out the storm of the hardest time in a marriage, and have fun together as a family at weekends, have a date once every weekend, give each other a few hours each week (eg half a day each weekend) to do what you want - to lie on or see friends or get hair done or watch sport. Put some serious effort in supporting and honouring each other as people and as fellow parents. And equal effort into being excellent parents.

If I was married to a man who wasn't prepared to make that effort and chose to walk away instead, if he was that much of a selfish coward, I would get the most powerful lawyer I could find and squeeze him for every penny without a moment's guilt.

SereneCapybara · 10/02/2025 14:58

As you can see, I don't agree with the previous two posters. You don't need to beg, but you do need to have a very detailed and grown up conversation that includes the positives of staying together instead of splitting up. Life is bloody miserable for everyone when babies are little. I think too many men bumble off unaware of this. They need a boot up the backside, not a woman to quietly step aside out of their way and shoulder full responsibility for being the only adult in the situation.

MrsEmmelinePankhurst · 10/02/2025 15:03

@SereneCapybara 👏👏👏 brilliant posts!

squashyhat · 10/02/2025 15:04

Spineless shit. Tell him to grow up, get over himself and start parenting properly. Then - wonder of wonders - his marriage might improve.

Rawnotblended · 10/02/2025 15:08

Cherchez la femme.

OP I’m so sorry you’re going through this. But it WILL get better.

Sunnnybunny72 · 10/02/2025 15:10

Tell him that's fine. And ask him which half of the week he wants sole 24/7 care of his children.

Christwosheds · 10/02/2025 15:11

SereneCapybara · 10/02/2025 14:53

You both need to calm down. You both need to acknowledge that no one is at their best with a new baby, let alone three preschoolers. Everyone is ratty, exhausted, unable to focus on their own needs.

Ask him how he'd feel if you told him that you were leaving him and the children. That you were leaving him with sole responsibility for those three lives. If he thinks he'd find it hard to cope, why does he think it's okay to land this burden and stress on you when you are already so clearly stressed and exhausted. Point out that this would be cowardly, selfish and brutal and if he does this knowingly after you have explained how cruel it would be, it could push you over the edge.

He needs to man up and understand he is a father with commitments, not a single man who can skip off if things aren't easy. You both need to make an effort to look after yourselves and each other, as well as your children.

You say you have money. Then please at very least get a cleaner and a Mother's Help or housekeeper or part time nanny, who can look after the children for at least one or two days a week while you take time for yourself. Go out on dates with each other, where you actually do things you used to enjoy together - music gigs or comedy or skating or watching live sport - whatever you used to have in common.

When he mentions the rows, mention the good times. Explain the reality to him of splitting up just because you are both exhausted. He will need a second home so he can have the children half the time, and you can get a job. His standard of living will plummet and so will his children's. Is this what he wants for them? What does he want for them? Two smaller, cramped homes? The children would be shunted around between childcare and two homes and only ever have one parent around to deal with all three of them, which will make them needier and more difficult and insecure. Can he think of an alternative? Is he aware these tough times don't last forever? Is he really so wimpy he can't cope with hardship for a while?

Far better to behave like responsible, loving adults, capable of riding out the storm of the hardest time in a marriage, and have fun together as a family at weekends, have a date once every weekend, give each other a few hours each week (eg half a day each weekend) to do what you want - to lie on or see friends or get hair done or watch sport. Put some serious effort in supporting and honouring each other as people and as fellow parents. And equal effort into being excellent parents.

If I was married to a man who wasn't prepared to make that effort and chose to walk away instead, if he was that much of a selfish coward, I would get the most powerful lawyer I could find and squeeze him for every penny without a moment's guilt.

Edited

This is all really good advice. OP you are at the absolute hardest point of parenting, I know I was very snappy with DH when I had a small baby and a toddler, exhausted, up every night. DH, normally very calm, was snappy back which made things worse. It’s really hard if you are alone a lot and he is away, this doesn’t mean that love has died it’s just a tricky time for many marriages I think, depending on what other support you have.

wrongthinker · 10/02/2025 15:15

Sorry, OP, it's likely there will be another woman on the scene. Men rarely leave without having someone else lined up.

Get yourself a good lawyer. And tell him it's 50/50 custody. He's free to leave you, but he's not free to leave his children.

DeepRoseFish · 10/02/2025 15:21

Optimist2020 · 10/02/2025 14:51

Sorry to read this @Gnarly999 . If you have family or friends that you can confide in that will be helpful as you will need all the support you can get.

Did you work before you became a sahm? Do you have access to the family finances ?

Would marriage counselling be beneficial? If you can (or can’t) work through this, I’d suggest getting back to work asap, as you are in a vulnerable situation.

She’s got 3 kids under 4 years old!!! Work is the last thing she needs to be thinking about right now. I'm sure she’s already working her ass off.

Divorce him asap while you are still a stay at home mum with a young baby OP and you’ll get a bigger financial settlement. You won’t be expected to work just yet.

Oh and what a complete and utter bastard he is!!!! I’m so sorry OP. Unfortunately there are lots of feckless men like this out there.

minipie · 10/02/2025 15:26

Sunnnybunny72 · 10/02/2025 15:10

Tell him that's fine. And ask him which half of the week he wants sole 24/7 care of his children.

Exactly this.

Tell him you will have them Sun to Weds lunch. He will have them Weds lunch to Sat eve. Sat night alternates.

Watch him compute how that will work with his job and his new totty.

Remind him you get 50% of assets too incl his pension.

When you say there is plenty of money, will you be able to manage if you get 50% of assets?

DeepRoseFish · 10/02/2025 15:29

You’ll get more than 50% of the assets as the primary carer (as I’m sure you’ll be!) and sahm of 3 very young children!

Anudawan · 10/02/2025 15:33

I’d say from my gut feeling, there is another woman. The whole bringing up arguments for 10 yrs ago and very much finger pointing is someone who’s made up their mind, and is trying to apportion blame elsewhere, combine that with the travelling, needing to focus on work (despite seemingly doing that already and being well off financially) and the whole I don’t fancy you anymore, feels like he’s met someone else, he’s spent some time crafting this narrative that absolves him of blameworthiness, seems to be one of the classic lines men trot out

DeepRoseFish · 10/02/2025 15:35

Book an appointment with your GP. Anti anxiety/panic medication and antidepressants might be helpful. And some counselling of course.

WhatALightbulbMoment · 10/02/2025 15:37

I agree that there is probably another woman involved, whom he probably started seeing because he was overwhelmed by family life at home. However, he really needs to think about his responsibilities towards his children. There are so many men who seem to think their kids aren't really their responsibility, and that when they decide to leave because they can't deal with family life, it's sufficient if they continue to see the kids once every other weekend. Tell him you want split custody. There is no reason why you should have to cope on your own when they're his kids, as well.

DeepRoseFish · 10/02/2025 15:39

My ‘DH’ left me with a 6 month old and a 2 year old so I know how you feel. Lorazepam really did help me initially with the panic I felt at the time. I felt OK after about a year. You’ll get there too OP. Put in a claim for CM immediately and get a good solicitor.

JimHalpertsWife · 10/02/2025 15:41

"OK. There's a 1 bed flat down the road for rent, we can swap between every 3 nights - you and the kids here for 3 nights then I'll come take over for 3 nights while you go to the 1bed and we will keep switching. You can leave me but you don't get to leave your children"

Quitelikeit · 10/02/2025 15:46

You need physical help first

Can you afford nursery or a childminder a few days per week?

you need emotional support and distractions - toddler groups etc

does he know child maintenance a lot for three kids?

he will have them every weekend right? So you get a break?

All he is doing is copping out because he is lazy and useless

consider getting some anti depressants aswell to help you copd

Starlight1984 · 10/02/2025 15:47

Gnarly999 · 10/02/2025 14:33

This is my first post, but I’m exploding and don’t want to talk to my friends as it makes it all “too real”, so hoping I can talk on here..
I have a 6 month old, 2 and 4 year old, and really struggle to cope. My husband travels a lot for work which has been really difficult and our marriage has died. I’ve been resentful and probably not very nice to him, but all I really wanted was for him to show me some love and affection and to put our family first, and be here more. I was lonely and struggling and needed him.
After a few months of arguing he says he wants to leave me!! I’m devastated on every level. He says he loves me like a sister but not a wife, doesn’t fancy me (I’m still fairly attractive I think). Says he can’t live like this and needs to focus on his work (we easily have enough money anyway). He’s also bringing up arguments from 15 years ago and replaying every negative thing that’s happened between us!
I’ve begged him to stay and to try and at least to wait until the kids are a bit older. I actually don’t know how I’d cope. I’m a SAHM, and feel completely hopeless.
what should I do? Fight for him to stay and to make it work? Or get some self respect and tell him to leave?
I just don’t think I’d ever get over this, and my heart feels broken for the children too. I can’t stop crying. Help!!

My husband travels a lot for work which has been really difficult and our marriage has died.

He says he loves me like a sister but not a wife, doesn’t fancy me (I’m still fairly attractive I think).

Says he can’t live like this and needs to focus on his work (we easily have enough money anyway).

He’s also bringing up arguments from 15 years ago and replaying every negative thing that’s happened between us!

There's another woman @Gnarly999 . Sorry.

Mrsttcno1 · 10/02/2025 15:48

JimHalpertsWife · 10/02/2025 15:41

"OK. There's a 1 bed flat down the road for rent, we can swap between every 3 nights - you and the kids here for 3 nights then I'll come take over for 3 nights while you go to the 1bed and we will keep switching. You can leave me but you don't get to leave your children"

A great idea in practice however everybody knows a court will never force a dad to have contact he doesn’t want. So actually he can leave his children, and he will know that, just like all the other dad’s who do exactly that. All a court can make him do is pay maintenance.

JimHalpertsWife · 10/02/2025 15:48

It's more to see his response tbh.

Owl55 · 10/02/2025 15:50

Perhaps you should tell him you will share custody 50/50 so sort out a home and how he will sort childcare out while you concentrate on a job!!!!!

SouthLondonMum22 · 10/02/2025 15:53

DeepRoseFish · 10/02/2025 15:21

She’s got 3 kids under 4 years old!!! Work is the last thing she needs to be thinking about right now. I'm sure she’s already working her ass off.

Divorce him asap while you are still a stay at home mum with a young baby OP and you’ll get a bigger financial settlement. You won’t be expected to work just yet.

Oh and what a complete and utter bastard he is!!!! I’m so sorry OP. Unfortunately there are lots of feckless men like this out there.

Do you think no mother works with 3 kids under 4? I do, it's perfectly possible.

OP needs some financial independence. Thinking about work is reasonable.

icantgetnosheep1 · 10/02/2025 15:54

Sunnnybunny72 · 10/02/2025 15:10

Tell him that's fine. And ask him which half of the week he wants sole 24/7 care of his children.

This 💯

If he wants to go so be it.. BUT as a parent he's also responsible for three very young children and he can't just skip off and pop back to see them when it suits.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you, so many spineless men choose this option and then suddenly the new shiny GF appears. I know you're blindsided right now but time to put your big girl pants on and make him realise his responsibilities!!

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