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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

Husband asked for separation/divorce at Xmas.

59 replies

separated · 16/01/2012 22:58

We had split in May 2010 when his aggression/verbal abuse caused me to cold shoulder him for a few months. He blamed everything on me and said he wanted shot of me, essentially. This was after him moving to the spare room and giving me a detailed character assassination. Basically, I made a charge against him and he was arrested. The charge was over his assault on me in our kitchen which was physical but mostly just threatening. He said that if murder were legal he would have killed me by now. He also slapped my one cheek 3 times whilst pinching the other. It was extremely frightening. We had been arguing and I thought he was leaning over to kiss me.
Anyway, no evidence, no charges but they advised him to move out. He was gone for 2 months. After that time we talked and patched things up. Be never apologised though. Be refused to accept any blame. In fact he denied it happened. He gave us a year's trial. That ran out in Sept '11. I thought we had got through it. We were intimate again, on his terms as he still chose to sleep in the spare room.
I did everything I could to make it work. I addressed my faults. J spent much less time online, I stopped seeing my sister as he hates her etc. Apparently he realised in September that he no longer felt much for me. He cannot forgive that he was arrested and his dna is on file. I wondered what had changed. Sex dwindled. He gave me much less eye contact. He got cross if I answered a question when our daughter should have been answering. We went to a party at Xmas and I have never felt so alone. There was nothing there. He treated me as if I were a stranger. I asked him to talk to me that evening.
He cried and said how he had been feeling. He had planned to pack a few things, give me half an hour's notice, tell someone close to him what was happening, then leave.
The reason he planned to do it that way was so I didn't have time to make a false allegation to the police. Again (obviously it wasn't false but that's how he sees it).
So that almost brings it up to date. I have begged him to keep trying. I even phoned thr police to say that whilst my statement was true, I didn't know the potential effect sn arrest would have on his career.
So tonight I find myself having to sign the statement of arrangements for our children. He is the petitioner. We have 2 teenagers.
He has been moody, aggressive at times with myself and our son and is extremely manipulative. And still I am sad.
We were together for 20 years, since I was 18.
For financial reasons we will have to sell the house, pay off debts and start again. No money for deposits for houses etc.
I feel sad for the loss of my planned future, angry that this has happened again, angry that he accepts no responsibility over how abusive he was. But he had good points too. He can cook, clean, anything. The truth is that he can manage without me. I've never really been of any use.
A bit of me is hopeful that I can, in time, find someone who really loves me. He didn't. He accumulated bitterness over the 30 years and never forgave anything.

I cannot believe I have come to this point in my life where I am about to lose everything. I

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MildlyNarkyPuffin · 17/01/2012 02:46

It's ok to mourn. If you've been with someone for so long, when you see your future their presence is built into the picture. When they are removed from that picture, the whole thing shatters and it's hard to imagine any future at all.

You'll get there. It's great that you've got your sister and friends around you. When you feel ready to you can try the anti depressants. If you're worried it can be helpful to tell keep a diary of your mood so that you can look back and see how they're working for you. You could also tell someone you trust what your doing so that you can get an outside pespective on how you are doing.

For tonight, stay off MN and try to just let your body rest even if you can't sleep. Or read the Center Parcs bumsex thread Grin

MildlyNarkyPuffin · 17/01/2012 02:48

Random 'tell' and your instead of you're. Good job the grammar police are asleep.

separated · 17/01/2012 02:53

I have avoided that thread thus far!
Thanks folks for your input. Hugely appreciated.
I shall attempt sleep yet again; I feel emotionally exhausted. X

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ToothbrushThief · 17/01/2012 07:42

I could have written this thread when I parted from my abusive ex.

Since then I've had tough moments, grieved a lost 'love' (I did love him and we had moments of joy and love), worried if he is ok, worried about the kids, been scared for myself, financial and legal fights, issues with the kids....

Since then:
... my family and friends have come back into my life - a real joy and I had not realised how pushed out they had become
.. I've stopped walking on eggshells
... I feel heaps better about who I am (heaps and heaps)
... my finances are under control and despite envisaging financial ruin I'm actually better off
...I've seen him for who he is and what he is. I no longer feel pity/sorrow and want to make him better but feel free to walk away
...he started another relationship almost instantly (I felt curiously rejected but also strangely relieved)
...I met a lovely man who cherishes me. We have had some brilliant times that beat the previous 22 years hand down for happiness.
...mostly I feel honest. I'm no longer hiding my life. I can be honest with everyone and not cover up for him. My kids are much much happier. I went through a stage of sadness for how much of my life I wasted with him.

You will get there.

FlangelinaBallerina · 17/01/2012 08:18

OP, congratulations! Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and you've got a lot going for you. You're still young, 38 is nothing these days. You have your two DSs, good friends, your sister, and you've successfully arranged counselling and anti-depressants for yourself- well played. The world is your oyster. Good luck to you.

screamadelica · 17/01/2012 08:27

Hi Separated....You have got some excellent advice and I just wanted to add my best wishes. I too have separated from abusive H just before xmas. I am grieving for what could have been....

I tried so hard to save my relationship but like you it was all futile. I have to think of Dc and me. It has made me ill. I used to say sorry all the time too.
I am trying concentrate on re-building my self, im emotinally drained from living in fear....i still jump when the front door opens. He didnt hit me but he was very threatening and used to push me around..he once pushed me backwards down the stairs in front of Dcs. He flies into a rage if I say something he doesn't like...

I do feel optimistic about my future but saddened by the fact that I have ended up in this mess.

Keep posting on here, its become a lifeline for me, the support you get is amazing. There is a thread called support for those in E A relationships..you may like to join in....Take Care Separated, I wish you a bright future x

separated · 17/01/2012 19:41

Can't stop crying. Exhausted. Had no more than 2 hours sleep in total last night. Just want it all over.

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LifeHope11 · 17/01/2012 23:27

Hallo Separated, just wanted to write that I am thinking of you and send you my very best wishes. Nothing really to add to the excellent advice you have already had here but hang in there, this is the hardest time but I am sure you will come through it and a brighter, happier future awaits you. I wish you all the very very best.

ToothbrushThief · 18/01/2012 06:53

It will get better. Divorcing you is the best thing he has ever done for you (strange though this may seem). Don't try and apportion blame. Think of the future. It will be happier.

The hopes you had were a fantasy.

The reality was a lot different.

Think of your DC and make life good for them. They need you to be strong right now and being strong for them will help you get back to the person you were. Enjoy the little things. Focus on a small happy event each day rather than the enormity of a future which you can't envisage

separated · 18/01/2012 07:21

Thank you. That's really good advice. I shall try.

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Rebekmah · 18/01/2012 12:51

Hey Separated, just wanted to send you hugs (( )). ExP is in process of moving out and although not anywhere on the scale of your ExH, he was unfaithful and a serial liar. Am 38 too and am scared about my future and my DCs and am mourning the relationship, but I know this is what I have to do for my own sanity and self respect. Just take one day at a time, thats what I'm doing right now. Take care x

HoldMeCloserTonyDanza · 18/01/2012 12:58

Hi sep,

I had just joined MN when I read your old thread and for whatever reason it's always stayed with me and I always wondered how you got on.

One thing I want to say is that what was so impressive was how much calmer and happier your life was without him in it. Honestly it is such a shame you can't read back through it because it was amazing how you rallied and built a new, better life for yourself. You CAN and WILL do it again. What shines out from your posts is what a lovely person you are. You have great kids, a great sister, good friends and life is only going to get better for you. He has you convinced you can't function without him but the truth is you can and you will be a better, happier person without him.

Last time it was seeing you so happy and independent that made him want to come back and destroy you all over again. He has your self esteem at rock bottom but with time you are going to see that he has been an albatross around your neck, holding you back.

Good luck x

separated · 19/01/2012 19:47

Rebekmah, I wish you a smooth journey through all of this. It is scary! I hope you look back and see that it's the best thing that could have happened.
HMCTD, I cannot believe that you remembered my situation. You are right. I will keep trying to remember your words. My friends are being amazingly supportive. They are my work colleagues too and they are keeping me going.

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mjawch · 19/01/2012 20:12

Hi seperated
My husband left me at the weekend (6 yrs together). blames me for it all and then says "oh n abit my fault, probs 5%"
He has hit me (ages ago), mentally abused me and treated me badly. (I was no angel at all either, but hey ho.)
Until tonight, I was begging him to stay, upset and felt like my life was over. I have no job, 3 kids under 5 a shed load of bills, a few £K debt.
N now, I think I see light at the end of the tunnel, n its only been 4 days.
I have come to feel relieved. like a weights off my shoulders. All 17 stone of him!! gone.
I am only 23. N I am scared n lost. but I know I can drag myself through this and be a good, a better mummy to my kids.
It is gna scary as we have been in the same routine with the same person and its gna b hard at first. But we can do it. We both deserve better. xxx

separated · 19/01/2012 20:42

I'm so sad to read that.
I was strong initially, then the crying began again. Be prepared for some low days.

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HedleyLamarr · 19/01/2012 21:11

Hi again Separated. There will be low days but once you get used to not having this arse around you'll start to feel better, your kids will see that and they'll be happier. It will get better.

separated · 19/01/2012 21:46

You're right. Trouble is, it's going to take months before we are physically separated. I just want to hibernate until the possessions are split, the house is sold and I have a new home with (some of the time) my children.
Some days I just feel like it would be better if I was no longer here. Would be easier.

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separated · 21/01/2012 16:16

Getting harder rather than easier as he's beginning to get nastier.
He has no happy memories of the 20 years we have been together and says the relationship should have ended 6 months in, when there was someone else he knew who was really into him. Sigh.
Today we got to the end of our joint overdraft. Nothing left at all. So we talked about using the credit cards for essentials until his wages go in on Friday. Mine don't go in until the end of the month. We both urgently needed petrol in our cars today so I asked him where mine was - they usually sit on a shelf.
He said that he has it and I can't have it because it's an associate card and he doesn't trust me. In other words, we both have a card but the debt would be his. Not that I would ever do that to him.
Therefore, no petrol in my car and no possibility of getting any.
Husband has arranged estate agents for Saturday.

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HedleyLamarr · 21/01/2012 17:26

My word, he really is a nasty fucker. Life will be immeasurably better when you're shot of him Sad

separated · 21/01/2012 18:05

It seems that he is.

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HoudiniHissy · 21/01/2012 18:18

If that were me, I'd go and pawn the wedding ring for a tankful of petrol.

FabbyChic · 21/01/2012 18:24

Wat a peace of shit, tell him to take your car and put the petrol in himself then.

Dont buy him any food dont pay him a penny for anything your money is going to be needed elsewhere, its one thing wanting to split up but another to treat another human being with the contempt he is treating you with.

separated · 21/01/2012 19:33

Yes. It is just so awful here. A kinder person would have stayed with a relative to let the dust settle. But no, this is a living hell.

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RabidEchidna · 21/01/2012 19:47

I know you don't think so but you are better off without him

separated · 21/01/2012 19:59

I'm trying to remember/think that.

I'm so angry and upset that I have been the stable, calm influence in this house. I have had an extremely close relationship with my daughter and haven't chosen for the marriage to end. Yet, I have lost my husband, I shall lose my house and my daughter, who always likes to be fair, can't stand my husband being left out - despite admitting she wants to be with me, and feels obliged to spend equal times with the 2 of us when we go our separate ways.
Why couldn't she choose to do alternate weekends like many children do? He really doesn't deserve her loyalty; she has spent much of her childhood slightly afraid of him. He hasn't been aggressive with her like he has my son.
Yes I am sulking and being immature probably.

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