Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

this isn't difficult is it?

16 replies

MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 14:40

want to draw a line under relationship with someone, we have a (12 yr old) child together but have lived separately since she was a baby - theoretically we should be able to finalise a split and agree things like maintenance and contact but whenever I bring the topic up he reacts in one of two unhelpful ways:

  1. conversation ensues during which I agree a formal split is not really what I want, and that actually entire arrangement is tilted in my favour and end up feeling a bit shit about not appreciating everything he does for me etc
  2. 'we are not having this discussion' and leaves, or if leaving not an option (eg in car) turns radio up

is there a very obvious way of having this conversation that I am overlooking? I think I need his co-operation but maybe I don't?

OP posts:
livinginazoo · 16/05/2011 14:54

It is unclear, whether you live under the same roof or not, date other people, what do you mean by separate lives? And why are you often in the same car as him? To me it sounds like you have it bang on the nail with your last comment, if you don't want a life with him, tell him, don't accept a discussion about it, and make plans to move out/leave, start thinking of yourself as single and tell him you will be dating other men. 12 years of a quasi-relationship is no life!

MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 15:39

thanks

by 'have lived separately' I mean I live in my house, he lives in his - we go out together sometimes either as a couple or a family, that's how we are occasionally in the same vehicle. To begin with we lived together (at mine, as have two older children, school etc) and it was horrific but that's my problem I think, didn't like living with my husband either

so just need to say 'it is completely finished' and act accordingly? feels like have been saying this for about ten years, it gets muddied by my history of admissions to psych hospital, him managing my finances and my general all round uselessness

OP posts:
MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 15:42

(just for avoidance of doubt I mean I am more likely to 'use' my diagnosis as an excuse to not take action, it's difficult to trust strong thoughts and feelings about things)

OP posts:
TechLovingDad · 16/05/2011 15:44

I'd start by telling him he needs to grow up and deal with it. Then remind him that the situation isn't what's best for your dc.

MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 15:56

Not on the firmest ground when it comes to lecturing others about growing up and dealing with things, nor probably with the 'what is best for the child' thing but that could be a good way to frame things, thank you. Although of course am thinking about what is best for me, daughter would probably prefer things to stay unchanged.

OP posts:
ChasingSquirrels · 16/05/2011 16:02

this isn't just about him being "unhelpful", it is about you not taking the steps you need to take.

Just move away, stop engaging with him on any matters other than your child, stop going out as a couple, consider strongly stopping going out as a family, take back control of your own finances, tell him you need to agree child maint (if you do) within a certain time period and if it doesn't happen that you are going to CSA - and do that, suggest a realistic (for all of you) contact arrangement and if necessary mediation to agree that.

MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 16:13

do you mean move away geographically or in some other sense? I'd prefer not to move house until have paid mortgage off (I won't get another) and daughter has finished school - about six years - although is a constant temptation, sell up and go somewhere, anywhere

the finances are the biggest obstacle really, I don't even know how to get at my own savings or how to log in to do tax return. It was a great help when I was unwell but hopefully I can make other arrangements now, get an accountant to do things maybe

OP posts:
MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 17:06

it looks possible on the screen but feels completely impossible if I think about it for more than a few minutes

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 16/05/2011 17:08

consult a solicitor and get things on a legal footing

he can't ignore that

a good solicitor will takes you through things step by step

MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 17:15

I hadn't even thought of that, because we are not married I suppose, it's a good idea although I can imagine it provoking some ugly scenes. Will try the conversation one more time, although annoyingly just have to wait for him to show up or make contact - but yes, will get appointment with a family lawyer anyway. Thanks.

OP posts:
oldenoughtowearpurple · 16/05/2011 17:21

er- have you read any of the advice above? you are going to wait for him to show up when he feels like it, then 'try' once again to talk to him even though previous efforts have led to him stonewalling you.

And he is handling your finances? He has access to your savings and you don't? And he absolutely refuses to acknowledge your desire for a split?

Honey, get down to that solicitor right now. This is all wrong.

ChasingSquirrels · 16/05/2011 17:21

I meant move away emotionally, stop relying on him for things etc.
But it isn't that simple is it, it is easy for me to write it but it is obviously very hard (and it sounds like for lots of reasons) for you to do.
But things like having access to your own savings etc should be things that are in place.
Would CAB be able to help?
A family solicitor might be a good idea in terms of a "plan" but I think maybe you need someone to help you action it? No idea what you do about that, but am wondering if CAB or similar could help you.

livinginazoo · 16/05/2011 17:25

OK. I can sympathise fully when you say you find it hard to trust your feelings, when mental health is involved it is so hard for the sufferer to know when they are feeling 'true' feelings and when they are 'distorted' thoughts. But look at your actions then. You have been a non-couple for a long long time, living separately. To me it sounds like your true feelings are to say no more. I assume you have spoken to a therapist at some point over the 12 years about this too?

A big question is, why why why is he managing your finances?

Do you really feel you are useless? Do you really let other people do everything for you? I doubt it. Does your health situation make you feel so? Or is it your life situation? If he was not around, do you honestly believe you could not make it from one day to the next just fine?? Do you work? You are paying off a mortgage or I assume so. You can get to your savings, just walk into the branch and explain to the manager, and it will get sorted (or make a call depending on what kind of place you have it in). He should not have access to your money under these circumstances. To log in, walk into bank and ask someone to show you how. Tax return, ask a friend to help, or hire an accountant to show you? I assume you could even ask in a job centre for help there on how to do it, or some such organisation? Everyone has a first time to do things. Unless you are illiterate (obviously not as you are typing away here), or innumerate (I assume not), it is just a confidence thing. Logging onto a bank account is logistically no harder then logging onto mumsnet!

If I were that unconfident, from what you have said, you should worry whether you have just become too reliant on him. You can do it alone. Many people do. And you can ask for help to do so. A history of mental health issues does not mean you are not just as good as anyone else and as or more capable. And perhaps a change is exactly what you need to help yourself get better. For example, with depression (just as an example of something I know a bit about) the literature I have read strongly says that no matter how much support and help you get you risk descending back down into the illness unless you make changes. The illness is your body's way or telling you that you are not happy and doing things wrong, whether in the wrong job, needing to learn how to re-establish boundaries, needing to pace yourself differently, needing to look after yourself better and value yourself.

You live on your own, work, earn money, own a house, raise children. You just need to believe in you. None of what you say sounds like a useless person, you do sound like you need time away from this quasi-relationship, so you can live life. So if you want out, just tell him I want out, and don't listen to his protestations. If you have made up your mind, his opinions don't matter.

MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 21:33

With the finances it's not at all a bad thing, it sort of evolved that way out of necessity. It will still be a good idea to have someone in some sort of charge (just keeping track of things) but that could be anyone - my eldest daughter or a friend maybe. I am useless with money and it would be stupid to pretend that in general I'm as effectual as I could be otherwise wouldn't be posting this. Am stupid not to have changed posting name for this though.

Haven't earned anything since last April and money is the only thing I rely on him for - not so much for actual income, there are maintenance payments plus DLA and ESA, but checking that things have been paid and paying them when I can't. I don't know what he gets out of the relationship but I imagine he'd be pleased to relinquish the responsibility. His reluctance to let go could be anything really, misguided sense of duty maybe.

OP posts:
MitchiestInge · 16/05/2011 21:35

Thanks for all your thoughts by the way, appreciate them.

OP posts:
MitchiestInge · 17/05/2011 15:06

Ugh that was not easy. Think the worst thing is the having been here and said all these things before and then somehow just getting drawn back in, wanting an easy life I suppose.

He will agree to any financial arrangements as long as it isn't drawn up formally, that is, doesn't involve solicitors. Which is probably my cue to make the appointment.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page