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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

Our marriage is in crisis - don't know what to do

11 replies

sw25 · 14/05/2011 03:21

Don't really know where to begin, but feeling pretty desperate right now.
Last week I discovered my husband had sent some flirty emails to a girl he met in a bar on a business trip in America. I also saw some other awful email conversations between him and some male colleagues, discussing where they were going to go drinking that night and talking about how they wanted to find somewhere full of women (although 'women' wasn't the phrase used - far more crude). It was like I was reading words from another person, not my husband.

Needless to say, I was devastated, particularly as he'd told me that it was a client drinks that he simply HAD to go on (it blatantly wasn't). For the last five years, my husband has been going out drinking after work quite frequently. He works in advertising and insists it's part if the culture of his work to have booze around and to go out. I don't have a problem with him going outoccasionally, my problem is about his total lack of respect for me. He continually tells me he's going for a quick pint and will be getting a specific time train home. I then make dinner to coincide with when he gets home and plan my evening around this. He then proceeds to stay out till all hours, gets drunk and then phones me at 1am asking for a lift back from the station. I've tried to tell him how upset and how inconsequential it makes me feel, often resulting in arguments, but he continues to do it. Im at my wits end.

So this continued disrespect alongside the recent email discoveries is sent me into a world of pain. We went to our first relate session this week and he has made an effort to call me more and let ne know what he's doing. However, tonight he has resorted back to the old behaviour. Went out after work, said he was getting the 7.09 train which quickly became the7.39, then the 8.09... He got home at 9.30 in the end - dinner ruined and me feeling so hurt and disappointed. I'm close to giving up - he doesn't think he's done anything wrong and says he's had enough. He's had enough!!! What about me? Should I just accept that he'll never change his behaviour or should I make an appointment with a solicitor? We've been together 15 years, and I can't believe I may have invested all that time into a relationship that is going nowhere. Any advice appreciated - I can't sleep and keep having panic attacks.

OP posts:
Slightlyreluctantexpat · 14/05/2011 03:35

This sounds fairly bad, sw25.

I wouldn't be making dinner for him, or waiting for him to come in, or giving him a lift from the station at 1am. I would tell him that I am eating at 8pm - or whatever - and his is in the fridge. Actually, I would stop working my evenings around him at all.

But it's a bigger problem than ruined dinners, and I don't have much experience that will help you. Hope some other night owl comes along who does. :)

Bluebelle38 · 14/05/2011 03:42

Hi sw25, how old is this guy? I used to work in a similar field and he is acting the way I did in my 20s.

So he is flirting with other women online and also making derogatory comments about possibly hooking up with other women. Hmmmmm. It shows a total lack of respect to you.

Do you think he has a drink problem?

The fact he is turning this around on you is ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but I'd be so hurt in a relationship like this (have been there before).

Only you know if he is worth it. Sounds like he thinks he can just do as he pleases and to hell with how you feel :(

empirestateofmind · 14/05/2011 04:06

sw25 I feel for you. It sounds like he is a teenager. Why is he so inconsiderate all the time? A one off is ok- but I would be unimpressed if DH did this sort of thing more than about once a year.

Would he treat anyone else like this? If not then why is he doing it to you?

Book the appointment with the solicitor and then tell him- if he is interested in saving his marriage he will pull his socks up. If he doesn't change then you have your answer.

Thomas1969 · 14/05/2011 05:58

I would be furious. He knows what hes doing to you and doesnt care. If you'll excuse me, that makes him a fuckwittedtwat. I dont fink im calm enuf to offer any good advice. If it were me, when he calls me to pick him tp i'd say 'sure. On my way' and go to bed. Leave the bastard there all nite. He'd find his cooked meal in his briefcase. Jesus, the more time i spend on mumsnet the madder i get. Sorry, i'll go now

Slightlyreluctantexpat · 14/05/2011 08:13

Quite so, Thomas 1969 (+Empire, & Bluebelle)..

buggerlugs82 · 14/05/2011 09:22

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

leicestershiregirl · 15/05/2011 11:33

Do you think he has cheated on you? If he hasn't it certainly sounds like he might, that maybe psychologically he's got one foot out of the relationship already. But you've got him to go to Relate and that's a good thing. I would pursue relationship counselling a bit more before calling a solicitor, but make it clear to him that you consider your marriage to be in crisis and are thinking of leaving if things don't improve.

And I totally agree with the previous posters who said no more cooking him dinner if he's not home on time or picking him up from the station, starting now!

Your pain comes across in your original post, which is understandable - you've been together a long time. Whether you stay or whether you go you've got a difficult time ahead of you - I wish you the best of luck.

FabbyChic · 15/05/2011 11:42

I think he wants to live the life of a single man, and that is what he is actually doing.

He sounds like he also has a drink problem, if he needs to drink on a daily basis.

You are going to have to lay down some ground rules if you want this relationship to survive and that is that he does not go drinking on a daily basis, that when he says he will be home he is home.

You also need to make time for yourself and get yourself a life outside of the relationship, he clearly has one.

Have you spoken to him about the emails? Asked him what the fuck is going on? Tell him you aren't stupid, that you might have been but it is time to wise up and put up, he either wants into the relationship or he wants to be single, he cannot have his cake and eat it too.

sw25 · 22/05/2011 00:48

Thanks so much all of you. I think this may actually be a positive turning point in our relationship. Since I discovered the emails and went ballistic about him disrespecting me yet again, he seems to have had a reality check and realised how much he's been neglecting not only me, but his entire family. He says he loves me more than anything and will do anything to make our marriage work. I've told him this is his last chance and if he fucks up again, I'm off! He's nearly 40 so it's about time he acted his age. I realise my previous post made me sound a bit of a walkover - I assure you I'm not. I know I deserve better and won't stand for his behaviour anymore. Just wanted to thank you all for your support. This forum is a lifesaver! X

OP posts:
empirestateofmind · 22/05/2011 02:14

That is good news sw25, I hope it all works out well for you.

nomedoit · 22/05/2011 02:40

I strongly suspect he has a drink problem. Why not suggest he gives up the booze and see how he reacts. If he does have a drink problem, he will need to get that under control before he can address everything else.

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