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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Considering ending my marriage

31 replies

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 12:56

Hi all

Really after some advice - am I overreacting? Expecting too much? I dont know. All I know is, I, and my husband, are not partcularly happy at present. We've been together for nearly 10 years, and married for 7. We have two children, aged 2.
Our biggest problem is my husbands selfish streak. His priority in life is football and everything that comes with it (drinking, playing, coaching etc). It takes up most of our weekend. We both work full time so, in my opinion, we should make the most of our weekends with the twins. Instead, its me arranging things for us to do, without him. He has made it clear that without football, he has nothing, he wont give it up and I should just get used to doing things on my own at the weekend. Which makes me feel really wanted as you can imagine! Nothing has changed over the years. When he goes out, he stays at friends or his brothers, then goes straight to football and comes home that evening. This has caused so many problems over the last 10 years. he doesnt seem interested in us but when I challenge him, he says he is and he'll make more of an effort (which lasts a week or two and then we are back to the same old routine of going out drinking, playing football etc). I get really upset when I think of friends and family all doing things as a family and I am stuck at home. I could take them out to the zoo and stuff like that but its hard to do alone with young twins. I want him to be interested but I;ve asked so many times but he just wont change. Another spanner in the works is his recent driving ban for being over the limit. This is an idea of how irresponsible he is - thought nothing of getting in his car after drinking. On yet another night out.
This really is the tip of the iceberg. I am so low all the time, I cry far too much than is healthy. It makes me sad for the way we used to be (before the twins came along). I really dont think he likes his life as it is any more. All I want is a nice family life instead of a part time husband and father who, when he is there, is in a bad mood, snappy with the children and generally not someone i want to be around any more. Its hard - I now know he will never change. His priorities in life are not us. He's made that clear. I just dont know what to do now - the thought of leaving equally makes me feel relieved and terrified. We're not good together for the twins sake. I dont want them subject to any more arguing. As for sitting down and talking about it - been there so many times over the years, I've no energy for it any more. The house and the atmosphere is much more peaceful when I am alone with the twins. I dont know.... how do I start to move on? How do I leave? how do I be on my own again?

OP posts:
Escthelock · 14/02/2011 12:58

Oh the irony of posting this on Valentines Day... LOL
Just noticed.

OP posts:
OhForBoonessSake · 14/02/2011 12:58

if he says he isn't going to change then i would take him at his word and leave. sorry but you aren't happy with the situation and he has said he doesn't really care.

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 12:59

If it makes a difference, we are 37 and 35.

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realrabbit · 14/02/2011 13:07

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dontdillydally · 14/02/2011 13:12

Poor you, do feel very sad for you.

Can I asked why you had kids - did you both plan together? I remember when we were ttc we talked about what we'd do with the baby, places we'd take him/her, holidays, trips to the sea side etc...

If he knows how serious things are surely if his family mattered he would change if not, well its so hard to say but you are still very young and you need to create a life for you and your children....was going to say he would have to be a weekend Dad but well again another challenge!

thumbdabwitch · 14/02/2011 13:12

Sounds like you're pretty much on your own as it is - so it wouldn't be that much of a change, would it?

Agree with realrabbit - get some legal advice on what to expect, what you are entitled to, how to move forward and then get rid of him.

He doesn't at all deserve to have a wife and children when he puts no effort into their happiness and wellbeing apart from bringing money into the house (which I assume he does) - but then jeopardises that with a drink-driving related licence loss!

Please don't continue to waste your life with this loser.

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 13:14

Thanks Rabbit (even though I just cried AGAIN LOL)

My friends and the family that I have confided in are all in agreement with you.

I am bloody furious with him (incidentally, the responses from friends are all "does he think he is a bloody teenager" so you're spot on there)

I feel like such a mug sometimes. Sometimes, we are really good friends and we have a laugh but there are too many instances of his selfish behaviour. I dont think what I want is particuarly radical - I just want weekends with my family.

But, I'm not going to get it. So, I think it may be time to do something about it.

I just have no idea where to start. I am fortunate (not often I say this believe me!)to be workingand so be independant financially. In fact, I manage all the money. If I didnt, he'd spend the lot on drinking and going out (he'll admit this himself.)

I am annoyed with myself for putting up with it - I'm an intelligent person, I hold down a full time job while still being a Mummy. So why do I stay where I am not happy?

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OhForBoonessSake · 14/02/2011 13:15

because you still have hope that he will change. i have been tehre too. it is a hard thing to accept that he wont.

dontdillydally · 14/02/2011 13:17

...because you love your husband and family and DH hasnt stuck to his side of the bargain.

Very easy for people to say get rid, dump him, divorce him...not as easy as that

jaffacake79 · 14/02/2011 13:17

Life is too short to be unhappy.
If you can see no way forward, and to find a way would need huge commitment from both of you, then you have to consider what would be best for yourself and your children.
Can you see your life without this man sharing it?
If the answer is Yes, then you start planning.

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 13:19

Thanks all - as for why we had children, it was something we both wanted. I had IVF so it wasnt like it was a surprise to him that we would have babies!!

I think he likes the idea of children (the showing off, the things they do that are cute) but he doesnt like the actual parenting. He's happy to come in from work at 6.30pm and then pack them off for a bath and bed straight away whereas I am happy to keep them up all night! (I dont - 7.45pm plenty late enough).

Weekends are about him - always have been, always will be. So thats more time he doesnt spend with them.

Thumbda, I am on my own. Without the benefits.

I need to make the break, for my own sanity and for the twins sake. Its not good them hearing this arguing. Its not what I want for them.

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dontdillydally · 14/02/2011 13:22

Sounds like you have made your mind up Escthelock, are you sure?????

So when will he see his children - works late and weekends are tied up....so nothing will change?

I can see rough times ahead, what a fool he is

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 13:23

Yep, I do love my family and him, even though he's a selfish gobshite. And I do keep hoping he will change.

I know though, no, that he wont.

Breaking up a marriage is such a big, scary thing. But so is the prospect of being miserable and taken for granted and playing second fiddle to his social/sporting life.

The twins are getting older now and pick up on it - this is where I need to make the decision. I cant have them upset. I love them more than anything. The whole thing just breaks my heart.

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realrabbit · 14/02/2011 13:24

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charitygirl · 14/02/2011 13:26

Is there still any love on your side, I would suggest that you suggest couples counselling. You dont have to frame it as 'last chance saloon', more as about how unhappy you are with the relationship, and how you want to see if things can improve. If he's dismissive and uncaring about that, well, that's pretty telling, and at least you've tried. You say youve talked/argued endlessly, so this may already have come up, but it might be worth a try.

You can call Relate just for a chat.

AnyFucker · 14/02/2011 13:27

I am so sorry

he does sound very selfish, and not likely to change now

like thumb said, you might as well be on your own

without the stress of constantly wondering when he will put in an appearance/bring trouble to your door (the drink driving thing would make me absolutely fucking furious, tbh)

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 13:27

thanks Rabbit :-)

All I want is normality. Thats it. Nothing unreasonable. Just a nice, normal family that do normal things together and enjoy it.

Not arguements, lonliness and anger.

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dontdillydally · 14/02/2011 13:31

I'd go for the counselling and then if all else fails you can look back and tell your children at some point in their lives that you gave it all you could...then move on.

Christ some men are just pure fools arent they - "dont know what they have until its gone"

eveline22 · 14/02/2011 13:42

Does he know he is about to lose you? I think you need to spell it out to him. If he is unable to make the effort then you know what you have to do.

LordofthePies · 14/02/2011 13:43

Maybe one last warning/go to counselling,but I don't think this man wants to change.....

I had a friend whose husband sounds so similar to yours, he started playing golf Saturday morning, then it became all day Saturday, then Sunday too.

They separated, then she discovered he was having an affair.

He's still unreliable for his boys even now, never arriving on time and sometimes not bothering to come for them at all.

You sound a decent person who has really tried to improve things, maybe its time to move on?

sandyballs · 14/02/2011 13:50

Two year old twins are hard work, I've been there. And to be married yet doing the parenting virtually alone is incredibly unfair on you and the kids. I used to get upset with DH working at weekends so I can imagine how sad and cross you are if it is football!!

You do sound like you still love him though so I would try the counselling, if he will find the time to go!

The man is a fool, when he has all the time in the world to socialise and play football and then coming back to an empty house, it will lose it's appeal. Perhaps he will realise what he is losing.

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 14:40

I think I'll try getting us to a counsellor.

(Any - I was absolutely fucking furious over the DD thing... as he found out when he walked in the door....)

The reason I get upset is because I want to do all these things with him, not just throw everything away (says my heart) but my head says if this was happening to a friend of mine, I'd be telling her enough is enough and he wont change.

As we are, I cant see another 10 years together. I'll try counselling, and that really will have to be his last chance.

I cant keep going round and round in circles.

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AnyFucker · 14/02/2011 14:57

imagine if he had killed/injured someone whilst drink driving

I think you have a very selfish and self-entitled man here

good luck in getting him to understand he isn't the centre of the universe

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/02/2011 15:06

What if he dismisses the whole idea of counselling?.

If he does not agree to counselling (and I cannot see him willing to go along to any such sessions to be honest with you) then go to Relate on your own.

I don't think you've quite accepted or even come to terms within your own self that he won't change. There's a small part of you that is hoping he'll see sense in the end so that tiny crumb keeps you hanging on in there.

Your man is extremely selfish to say the very least. He is no husband to you nor father to his children.

Escthelock · 14/02/2011 15:10

I do keep hoping things and he will change - I have done for 10 years. He is very selfish and self centered and I dont think he will ever be any different.

Any - we had that arguement more times than I care to remember over the years. I said his luck would run out and that he would be very lucky if, when it did, all he would get was a ban. I asked him over and over again over the years how he would feel if me, or one of the twins were killed by a DD.... nothing registers for very long. He may feel some remorse or guilt over it for the short term but as soon as there is a night out on the cards it'll be forgotten.

I wasnt aware I could use Relate on my own - thanks for that. I'll give them a call.

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