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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

Are we beyond saving?

6 replies

VickyandAlistair · 15/06/2012 14:31

Hi I urgently need some third party perspective on myself and dh's marriage.

Bit of background info : We're known eachother 7 years, been together for 6, and married for 4. We have a ds who is 20 months. We've had 'problems' ever since I became pregnant really - ds was unplanned (I'd had a tummy bug and accidentally missed one) and when I found out I was expecting I was very shocked and for a while even wanted to terminate (I dont mean to upset anyone who reads this who is ttc or having problems conceiving, this is just my personal experience) but dh was dead set against that idea, so I went ahead with the pregnancy (and thank God I did, my ds is my reason for living, I couldn't adore him more) but it created a deep set feeling of mistrust and resentment between me and dh. He couldn't believe that I could contemplate such a dreadful thing (in his opinion) and I couldn't believe that he could make me have a child which I wasn't emotionally, financially or mentally ready for yet. We have spent some time in counselling, and we have worked through these feelings, I just feel that they started the 'rot'

We both adore our ds beyond all else. All else including eachother it seems. I freely admit that I love my ds more than my dh. But I know that is wrong. My dh and I don't have a happy marriage anymore. We bicker, we argue, we don't treat eachother with much respect, and the physical side of our relationship is poor at best. There was a time when we couldnt keep our hands off eachother, but now I have to force myself to sleep with him once a month. I seem to involuntarily shrug him off when he tries to cuddle me without even realising I'm doing it.

We recently went away for a couple nights to a nice hotel, left ds with my dad. And while we had a good time, we laughed, chatted, even made love.. at night I still turned away from him and wished things were different.

Thing is, I do want us to work. There was a time when we were in love. And ds worships his daddy, and us as a family unit. We don't get a lot of privacy at the moment, due to money issues we are staying at my Dads house, been here since Oct, earliest we'll be out is March. So it can be a bit awkward, as my brother lives here too.

The last thing (and thank you so much of you have read this far) is that I am not what you would call a strong person. I suffer with depression and anxiety quite badly, I take pretty strong anti d's for it, and I think I would struggle as a single mother. I also have emetophobia and I get so afraid when ds is sick. I don't know how I'd cope if I was alone with him.

WWYD in my situation? Thanks so much.

OP posts:
HotDAMNlifeisgood · 15/06/2012 14:46

I don't know, sweetheart, but I just wanted to give you a hug as you sound so down.

Question: is your husband in any way holding it over your head that at one point you wanted to terminate the pregnancy? With DS in your life and you a loving mother, I imagine those are buttons to push that would hold huge sway with you.

Also: how big a part do you think is played in your marriage doldrums by just the sheer fact of having a young child who sucks in both parents' time and energy?

VickyandAlistair · 15/06/2012 14:53

Hi, thanks for replying..

I don't think he is. At least, I hope he's not. We did discuss our feelings about me considering termination during counselling, the counsellor said that because there was no way to go back in time and change things, that we should just let them go and move on..

And yeah, things have definitely been harder since ds was born. But I know that is very common, we have less time for eachother. I just dont think that marriage should be THIS hard.

OP posts:
LemonTurd · 15/06/2012 14:54

He needs to drop any anger/resentment he feels about you considering a termination. Now your DS is here and you both love him, it's irrelevant.

Is he anti-abortion generally?

timetosmile · 15/06/2012 14:54

My ha'penny's worth....

You have a beautiful son who you both love dearly, whose conception aroused a mixture of emotions in you, and 'shifted' they dynamic of your relationship with DP.

You are probably exhausted looking after DS and may well have an element of postnatal depression too which is colouring your perspective.

As well as the added stresses and strains of not being able to have a big shrieky row with each other if that's your thing because of staying with family.

I think you have a good a prospect for the future than anyone else in your current circumstance..so please take heart!

Why not think about Relate, or going to see your GP to discuss any counselling for yourself. Have a look at the 'Living Life to the Full' website which may be helpful, as well as CareForThe Family website which has loads of amazing resources to help strugglers who 'want it to work'.
Think about a marriage course ( a lot of local Churches run them and they are not at all 'religious') or getting 'The sixty minute marriage' by Rob Parsons.

In my job (healthcare) I see 3-4 women a week who could have written your post, so don't feel that you are in anyway a 'bad' person xx

VickyandAlistair · 15/06/2012 15:04

He is anti-abortion in most cases, unless the conception was rape or something. I didn't know this until I fell pregnant.

I did have PND timetosmile, which resulted in my anti'd dosage being upped. I also couldnt get the hang of bfing which didnt help.

I will have a look at that site, thanks

OP posts:
amillionyears · 15/06/2012 19:20

I think your want your marriage to work.
And actually your nights away,you had a nice time and made love,and you normally only do that once a month.So I think it was actualy a good success.It is going to take time to repair and heal your marriage,it wont happen overnight and there may well be setbacks.
2 things really.the lack of privacy is bound to be a big issue.On the other hand,you have ready made babysitters.Could you not go out together more often,just the two of you.Eevn just the two of you walking together when your child is in bed.Or go for a ride in the car,whatever.
Secondly,what does he think about your marriage.Your DH hasnt left so you both have an opportunity to work at it.

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