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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

I am at a loss, I really need some help.

56 replies

FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 11:12

I have name changed. Not sure why now I think about it. I thought it was because my DP knows my username, but it might be a good thing if he read this.

I'm sorry in advance if this is long winded. I seem to have lost my way, lost all enthusiasm, plus my inner radar which tells me where to go with all this and what to do is wonky.

My DP and I have been together for over ten years, we have 2 children, 2 and 5.

He cheated on me on a Royal scale years ago, poured an absolute ton of shit on my head etc. Some unbelievable stuff. We dealt with it, alone, then back together. We've had counselling over the years, once or twice. Not that impressed with it.

I loved him madly before I found out about the cheating. I then worked at still loving him the same way, and it seemed ok. He worked at it too, did all the things I expected of him, needed him to do etc. Life settled down. I had a baby, things seemed to get even better. Actually, not "seemed", they were better.

Fast forward to the last few years, and we have been involved, joyously, in the child rearing thing. Knackered, no time together really. When we do get together it tends to be through me organising it ie babysitters etc. No great surprise there.

The only issue I have had with him, that is like a hangover from the bad old days, is with him going out, saying he'll be back and then not coming back at the given time. Well, I sat on that early on. It used to go on on a weekly basis pre children. He came to understand (eventually) that our relationship would be over if he didn't sort it out and that for me, it has never been about the actual going out. It's about trust. That bloody word. Without it I don't see how a relationship can function.

I worked really hard to deal with the fallout of his cheating. I do not bring it up now, not interested, we've moved on. However, it's relevant, in my mind, because pre cheating, I never questioned a thing, Mrs Do-as-you-would-be-done-by etc.

So, my trust in him has been dented, but it's still there, soldiering on.

Anyway, putting this in bold as I'm at last getting to the point here, last weekend he did a shitty thing, and I want to know, in your opinion, bearing in mind the background I've summarised, if you think I am overreacting (he thinks so) (he would).

I take our DS to a sports lesson every Saturday morning, quite early. DP therefore looks after our 2 yr old at home of course (not practical to take her, or wise-she'd be utterly miserable that she couldn't join in).

Friday night he decides he's going out. Not a problem. We then have a discussion-brought up by him first-about him being back later friday night because of DS' lesson.

I have no reason to think anything of it and off he goes.

Of course, he stays out all night, no phone call and no-show in the morning.

(BTW, I have no doubts about where he was or who he was with, we live in a tiny village and he basically got pissed and fell asleep somewhere which is often his modus operandi when drinking).

I don't bother calling as his phone will be out of signal, so I take DS and DD and sure enough, my little girl is very upset that she can't join in. This could have been avoided and when he phones I call him a wanker etc.

Since then, I have actually switched off. I wonder if this is the final straw for me. There's lots more(including not much sex for a while, I don't really feel the same since my 2 yo was born), but god I've rambled.

Do you think I should just let it go again ? I feel like I have a DP who, when the crunch comes, will ultimately put himself first and f**k off me and the children, which is what he did on fri night.

I just don't know what to do. All this week I have been dreading going home after work. BTW, he just thinks he should keep his head down and it will all blow over.

I think he might continue to let his children down all their lives and it is this I want to avoid Sad

OP posts:
FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 11:42

We have practical problems to surmount too, though I appreciate that anything can be sorted when it is necessary.-He's a SAHD while I work FT and I think an upheaval like this will mean I have to leave my job (I work an hour away from home and school etc). I'd have to go PT somewhere nearer I think.

OP posts:
FioFio · 29/06/2012 11:44

If he is sahd and you do want to split I would explore the legal ins and outs before doing anything (I hope I am not being presumptuous)

FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 11:44

Ha Elephants! Well, he is used to dealing with them, I have to credit him with that. See SAHD comment above. I am out this weekend as it happens. Being an adult, I will be sticking to my plans to come home!

OP posts:
FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 11:46

Not all FioFio, thank you. We are not married, and if we did split, I would hope we could work it out between us

Looks like the consensus is I've not overreacted then eh?!

OP posts:
ElephantsStreetParty · 29/06/2012 11:47

Hmmm...that will teach me to make assumptions!

Perhaps that's the problem then, that he's used to having them together and can't see why you're so upset about it. I KNOW that's not really the issue here though.

mummytime · 29/06/2012 11:48

You are not his mother, you should be his partner but is he treating you like that?
I'd say NO!

I wouldn't have taken him back to start with.

I would not put up with any more of his drink problem, he has one whether he admits it or not. My DH has on a couple of occasions stayed out without prior agreement BUT he has phoned and discussed it with me, and if I was desperate he would have moved hell and high water to get home. I wasn't so he crashed at friends' flat.

What do you want for your kids? Do you want them to think that men can act like teenagers for life?

An ultimatum is only worth it if the consequence is carried out.

The final straw that breaks the camels back is often pretty small (I dumped a BF once because he left my parents home without thanking them).

FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 11:54

I agree re the drink. He has no self control, no "stop" button. He thinks it's all about letting off steam after looking after the children all week, doesn't see anything wrong in it. It drives me mad.

I just think this is the last straw. I'm not even sad about it at the moment, just numb. That will probably come later I suppose.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 29/06/2012 11:54

Is he happy being a SAHD? are you happy with him being a SAHD?

Guiltypleasures001 · 29/06/2012 12:06

The thing that strikes me op is this...if he is out of range because he is pissed in disposed phone signal etc etc then if the shit really ever hit the fan and you had an emergency with god forbid the little ones, he would be totall useless and uncontactable or so it seems.

and before you say well ok i could find him with a bit of effort phone round etc, i wouldnt want the hassle and extra worry shit of doing that when a shit storm was already going on.

once in a blue moon ok semi regular because he cant keep control of how drunk he is getting is selfish, inconsiderate and potentialy dangerous, to you him and especially his kids. he either grows up or kick him out, personally I wouldnt have forgiven the cheating, but I havnt walked a mile in your shoes, so not my bees wax.

I think you are having serious doubts, and all the effort is being made by you and only ever instigated by you. the kids aside babe, you deserve so much more.

x

Guiltypleasures001 · 29/06/2012 12:06

Apologies for the fact that the Y on the keyboard is sticking like hell and driving me mad.

FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 12:07

Agh MN just booted off my post.

He's happy yes. He is very very hands on. I'm not going to say "blah blah but he's a good Dad" as when an OP says that about their dp you just know he's an arsehole.....But then....!

I would like more time with DCs, but I have negotiated a bit of time off work for a short while to do this, so that's ok too.

I think he has the normal frustrations of the SAHP.

OP posts:
ChitChatFlyingby · 29/06/2012 12:11

Why don't you turn the tables on him? For once stop being the adult. Go out, and don't come back when you tell him you will. He doesn't really know how you feel because it's never happened to him. You've always been the responsible one. Stay out (and taking history into account I'd be tempted to keep him guessing as to where you actually were) all night and don't come home until much later the next day.

FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 12:20

ChitChat, I hear what you're saying, but it's not me. I like being at home, with my DCs, and I really can't be arsed with game playing and the like. Plus he genuinely wouldn't mind-he is so not the type to get arsey about that sort of thing (bloody good job, or there would be hypocrisy to add to his faults!)

OP posts:
QuintessentialShadows · 29/06/2012 12:27

I agree with chitchat.

Just do what HE does. HE does not need to know that you are booked into a spa hotel for the night, enjoying leisurely swims and an early night. Rather than laying drunk in the gutter....

Hmm

Your dp is a bit of a shit, even without the affair, it seems. You are not overreacting.

ChitChatFlyingby · 29/06/2012 12:38

Why does it have to be 'you'??!! Quint is right, it doesn't have to be a night on the tiles. It's just you seeming to let him down. Make him take both DCs to the activity on Saturday morning and deal with an upset DD. Let him feel what its like to not know whether his DP is hurt or just out having a hoorah, because he hasn't been told. Let him watch the clock waiting for you to get home but not knowing when that is. Clearly nothing else has managed to get the message to sink into his brain. If the alternative is to kick him out wouldn't some 'game playing' be worth it???!!!

If my DP had a habit of doing this I would have taken DD to where he was staying and left her there with him to deal with. Wouldn't have given a toss whether he was hung over, felt embarrassed, etc. He was supposed to look after her and he damn well would have. A few more incidents and the locks on the doors would have been changed and he wouldn't be able to get in without a massive amount of grovelling and making up for it. Any more incidents and he wouldn't be allowed back at all until he proved to MY satisfaction that he was determined to change.

FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 12:42

Honestly ChitChat and Quint I have done all those things in the past. Bar the bit about taking my dd to him on the morning.-I have thought about this in the past, but I don't do it because of course I don't want there to be a chance of the dcs getting upset.

If I sound wet, then forgive me. I think I'm exhausted really, I think I'm done. He is a bit of a shit Sad

OP posts:
ChitChatFlyingby · 29/06/2012 12:46

FourSquare - I think you're going to have to face the fact that whichever way this goes, your DC will face some upset. If you tip toe around trying to make sure your DC are never upset, then your 'D'P doesn't really ever have to deal with the consequences of his actions.

Oh and he's not a 'bit of a shit', he's a great big shit!!!!!

FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 12:51

You made me laugh ChitChat, you're right. When it comes to shits, size matters!!!

I suppose I'm angry that he's putting us in that position and I'm damned if I'm going to chase after him anymore. I absolutely loathe his lack of self control, loathe it.

OP posts:
FourSquareSilverCharm · 29/06/2012 15:41

Thank you all. Been thinking about it over lunchtime. I am going to show him this thread as a start, as I think he likes to imagine that I am the unreasonable one, and that I over analyse stuff.

I'm not sure where to go from there though, other than down the road to separation. God why do some people have to be so selfish, blind and stupid.

OP posts:
Teansympathy · 30/06/2012 09:08

Sorry you need to think of YOURSELF and beautiful kids , I would say DUMP the selfish twat, and look after your own , no more crap to put up with, a fresh start , stay strong you will get through this big hug to you.

AnyFucker · 30/06/2012 09:15

I think, in a nutshell, the utter selfishness that your H displayed when he gave himself permission to shit on you re. the infidelity, is still be played out now

So, in effect, you seem to be relatively convinced he isn't still shagging around, but the basic mindset is the same

FWIW, many women will not tolerate his behaviour without the cheating. The disappearing acts leaving you in the shit with the kids, staying out overnight for no reason whatsoever, the problem with alcohol where he prioritises it over family life

None of that is acceptable, and coupled with his history of very much putting his own needs first, it seems this man has changed very little at all

AnyFucker · 30/06/2012 09:16

being played out

hillyhilly · 30/06/2012 09:19

YANBU, my dh has done this twice (casino) but is under no illusions at all that the last time was the last time, if he does it again, he can leave.
I might add that other than this we are very happy, have a nice life and are never at risk of splitting but this behaviour is simply so unreasonable and inconsiderate that I am not prepared to live with it.
The two occasions were probably within a year of each other but he has not set foot in the casino since and has promised not to do so as he loses all track of time (also pissed), and I believe him.
The point is, that he fucked up, and has taken steps to ensure that it doesnt happen again as he doesn't want to lose the very good life he has. How about your DP? How does he feel about a totally new, separated life?

FourSquareSilverCharm · 30/06/2012 09:43

Thanks all. I can't post properly til later but I am reading.

OP posts:
BelleDameSansMerci · 30/06/2012 09:54

As mentioned earlier, it's when they also let the children down that it becomes unforgiveable (or at least it is for me). I think it's easy to forgive someone we're used to forgiving when they hurt us - it becomes normal (however inappropriate that may be).

He is treating you with appalling disdain. Sad