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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

Marriage is falling apart and I have not got one person I can pick up the phone to

70 replies

icepole · 18/08/2012 20:49

Says a lot about me. It must do. Over the last two years I have realised that people who I thought were good friends did not feel the same way about me. Sometimes this realisation has been quite shocking to me. I have been wondering around like an idiot, believing that people felt the same way about me as I did about them when actually I factor little in their lives. And now I am here today, and I need to talk to someone. And there is no one. Not one person. My Dad is dead, I would have called him. My mother is toxic so no point in calling her and there are no friends. And my husband is horrible to me each weekend when he comes home and I feel exhausted. And I hate my job. And I have had enough of it all.

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Sunflower6 · 18/08/2012 21:42

Icepole you are not alone. My husband left me four months ago due to my depression. I have spent today in floods of tears and feeling so alone. I wanted to pick the phone and call someone but had no one to call.

icepole · 18/08/2012 21:42

DD is 19 months. It is tomorrow afternoon. I have contacted the company to see if she can come - it is for 2-5 - but no reply. I would just rather be self sufficient tomorrow so I don't have to deal with him.

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thetrackisback · 18/08/2012 21:50

Big hugs to you(()) I have lost both my parents and this happened at27 and 32. I am lucky because I do have a group of friends who I love dearly but when my dad died they ran for the hills!! They just assumed that I didn't want to talk they felt awkward and embaressed. When my mum died I had people actively avoid me so they wouldn't have to acknowledge it. I fear you might be internalising it's you when it is just how people deal with death.
Losing a parent is a big deal and it can take time and energy in building your life without them. I think when I lost my mum it was the loneliest year of my life. My husband couldn't stand seeing me sad so he emersed himself in work and I was left at home most nights by myself. My boss was bullying me and I was in a crap job and I was in a real rutt.
My husband confronted me with this sadness and told me we had to move forward (so we had a baby not advisable in some situations) which turned it round for me. I've managed to build a life around my family and I'm happy. All I can say is you just need to change something/ anything that will open new opportunities. A class or a hobby and stick to it. This can be with your kids or without. Let relationships and friendships build slowly. I know you feel socially awkward but you can get better at this with practice.

I would also suggest some counselling to help you deal with the issues with your husband. It's sounds like you have issues with assertiveness. I did too and counselling has helped. It can get better for you but you have to make it happen.(with lots of help) please let me know if I can help in anyway. (())

MissFaversam · 18/08/2012 21:52

Oh so he's using the house move as his trump card then knowing how importart it is to you.

What would happen if he didnt go through with it? But you still moved back anyway? Do you have any money of your own?

MissFaversam · 18/08/2012 21:55

Sunflower (my favourite flower by the way). I'm on the other end of the phone for you if needed same as Icepole.

Will PM both of you with my number just in case. You are welcome to just call and say hi, it would be an honor to speak to both of you.

icepole · 18/08/2012 21:58

So sorry to hear about the loss of both your parents so close together. This last year I was really fighting to make changes, I did a course, I started my own business. The business is on hold as I just don't have the support from DH and I am too tired to fight for it. The course has finished and it opened up some new doors for me which were really exciting but struggling to pursue them for the same reason. He doesn't value the things that I am passionate about, doesn't see them as a priority.

Strangely we also had another baby and it really did help me after Dad died. She is a special baby, very joyful and often helps to break the stress in the house.

I just feel so sad at the moment. I don't actually know what to do with myself. We have a lot of debt so I need to work full time, I don't like my job and marriage falling apart. Feel trapped. This time will pass I suppose. I just feel like my life is slipping away from me. I wonder also if it is something about feeling like you don't have a parent anymore. My mother is alive still but she is very hard work and not really a support, often the opposite (history of alcoholism and all that goes with it). Sometimes I get overwhelmed with a need to just have someone to look after me for a bit Blush

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thetrackisback · 18/08/2012 22:00

Some men are just shitty. It is so difficult . Why is your relationship with mum toxic? Xxxx

icepole · 18/08/2012 22:05

Sunflower - (my son's favourite flower!) - that is just awful. I am shocked that someone could be so cold to leave when their partner is sick.

The situation with the house is that he is going to live in it while he is working away during the week, start to get it sorted (it is a big mess) and I am going to look for a job in that area but in the mean time live here. Because the house is so run down we are getting it fairly cheaply - it needs a lot of work. I can't buy it on my own. I wonder if I am being dishonest because in my head I am thinking just get to the house and get settled there and then he can fuck off because I will have my brother there at least and an old school friend will be about an hour away. But on the other hand it isn't a good move for me in terms of the career I want and the house is a disaster. I have a job here, one I don't like mind you but better the devil you know. I feel like I am trying to make all these big decisions like where to live, about jobs and my marriage and I have no one to talk to about it.

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icepole · 18/08/2012 22:10

My mother was an alcoholic when we were growing up. She is, touch wood, sober at the moment but still likes to make everything about her. She is not a well woman in many ways sadly but this can make her very hard work. She needs to be in the middle of everything and her behaviour can be pretty awful. I can't talk to her about things because she either gives shit advice (like when I told her dh didn't want me to do the course last year she agreed with him) or she just turns things so that it is about her because she suffers more than everyone in the whole world don't you know.

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CrikeyOHare · 18/08/2012 22:13

Ice So was mine. A shit way to grow up, indeed :(

icepole · 18/08/2012 22:17

Very shit, sometimes I think I don't fully realise the damage that did to my self esteem. It was a very dysfunctional upbringing.

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thetrackisback · 18/08/2012 22:18

I know the feeling of feeling trapped but just remember you aren't. You need to see what you can change first. I think first thing first is tackling the issues with your husband as he seems to be holding you back (and dragging you down!) Get to the doctors on Monday and tell them everything and get referred for counselling OR ring relate and get referred for individual counselling.
I know the sadness you feel it is all consuming but it can get better for you. You mention a brother. Can you turn to him? Can you go and visit him or at least ring him. My brother struggles with emotions but he has a shared experience and knows better than anyone how I feel.

icepole · 18/08/2012 22:26

I have 3 brothers. 1 has drug problems, suffered most I think when we were growing up. The one I mention isn't one to chat about emotional stuff, my other brother yes, I can talk to him. At the moment he is on Afghanistan and so not it's not possible just now. He is a good support when he is here though.

Dr not a bad idea, I need some kind of support. When I will go for counselling I do not know! I might be able to get it through work although I am wary of doing so as I am job hunting and don't want to risk anything that might impact a reference.

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Doha · 18/08/2012 22:26

Whereabouts in Scotland?
I am near Glasgow....

icepole · 18/08/2012 22:27

I am not that far from Glasgow! Between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

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icepole · 18/08/2012 22:29

I am going to have to go sleep as my dd will be up very early and my children take turns to torture me in the night. They are very skilled that way.

I will check replies in the morning. Thank you all, I feel lighter for having posted.

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MissFaversam · 18/08/2012 22:37

Good night sweetheart and remember you have two gorgeous bundles that always make the biggest and best difference. Not forgetting the possibility of new friends from here xx

thetrackisback · 18/08/2012 22:41

I have done both. Work referred me after my mum died and it was brilliant and totally confidential so won't show up on a work record. It could be quick too they might be able to get you in soon. There is no shame in getting help it shows you are strong and sometimes you know the solution once you've told someone. I think you sound very resourceful and driven and you can ake things better! :-)

icepole · 19/08/2012 06:44

He slept in the other room last night. Part of me wants to scream fight for me! He doesn't love me anymore, in feel very broken. No reply from aunt. I don't know what to do about anything. Sign that paperwork ? Not sign it? I feel sick. Tomorrow back to work (am a teacher, been off) no kids tomorrow thankfully.

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AllOverIt · 19/08/2012 06:59

Icepole - just wanted to say that I'm here and listening. So sorry to hear about your situation. Sad

HighJumpingHissy · 19/08/2012 16:08

My love, your problems sound complex, but as you are beginning to see, not ONE of them is down to you.

Your H is vile, he begrudges parenting his own children, has no interest nor investment in your happiness. Your anniversary anecdote is so sad, you deserve to be treated so much better than this.

Your mother has in a way created this dynamic, your upbringing was so dysfunctional as to hammer your self esteem into the ground. If you were in an equal and democratic relationship you would be able to remind your H that YOU do your fair share of staying in when HE needs to be out, so therefore it's HIS turn. he being fair and decent would totally get this. He is neither, your self-image is in tatters, partly due to your parents, partly due to him. He has no right to get pissy with you about anything.

Your Aunt grew up in the same dynamic as your mother did. Your mother is an alcoholic, that may have been caused by her own dysfunctional upbringing. Your Aunt may be cut from similar cloth. Her failure to respond to your text speaks volumes about her.

You can use this pinch point as a catalyst, a turning point, a time to draw a line in the sand. Standing up to your H would be a good idea. If the house sale fell through, someone else could buy it, your mother would be fine, she might have to move, but there would be money there to do it. The reason your H is using this house purchase as a weapon is because he knows you are scared it won't happen and you in turn will invoke the wrath of your toxic mother. He is literally torturing you. If you shrug, and stop caring whether he buys or doesn't buy, refer all enquiries of it to him and say that he's taking all the decisions, and you know nothing, IF it all blows up, it won't be YOUR name in the mud. Usually when someone of the ilk of your H realises that HE is going to look the baddie, he will usually buck his ideas up...

I know that you have probably had a life time of being to blame for everything, and being outnumbered by toxic people in your life often convinces us that it MUST be us that is the problem. It is not. You merely grew up in a dysfunctional dynamic, and since then, as a result of what has been done to you, have only attracted toxic people into your life. They see you as a target and make a bee line for you.

What to do?

Your end goal has to be to get away or distance yourself from those that damage you, actually putting all of that into practice is a long road.

Start by looking at how people treat you and start to say NO. Start to refuse to let people let you down, and start demanding a little more equality/respect. Little tiny steps to begin with. INSIST your DH keeps his promise, or say that you will pop next door and ask a neighbour to come and watch your DD as he has let you down again. If all else fails, take your DD to the play, there is nothing else you can do, if she kicks off, you can leave, take her out, and then come home and take your H head off Grin You can do all this. Really you can. I know how hard it is to see that when you have been terrorised and bullied for so long, but really you can.

No, it won't be easy, but it is VITAL for your happiness and ultimately the happiness and success of your children. Once you start to be a little braver, dysfunctional people see that they will get no-where with you and you develop your own Toxic Person Repellent Grin

There are many, many of us here who have similar experiences to you, and as someone lovely up-thread said, we do care, very very much. Let us help you find your voice and your strength.

MN has been a lifesaver to me, in many ways, you can learn so much and really transform your life, you just have to trust and be a little brave.

HighJumpingHissy · 19/08/2012 16:12

I also wanted to say this.

Sometimes things happen in our lives that look as if they could be the worst thing ever.

They are not. Things happen for a reason. Don't fight these things, you will be better off afterwards.

icepole · 19/08/2012 17:18

Highjump that was a great post thank you. I should have really predicted this but today was a great day. He didn't just look after dd he came with us, we had lunch a whole day out. He is talking about holidays and all sorts of nice things. Part of me is thinking it is the stress and then it will be nice like this and another part of me is thinking this is the cycle thing that they always talk about and you are in it. He pushes until you feel you are going to go and then it is all lovely again.

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MrawMraw · 19/08/2012 20:44

icepole, I'm in Glasgow and would be happy to meet up or help out. Message me if you like.

I think sometimes we get stuck in a rut, stuck in situations which due to low mood / depression and maybe low self esteem we can't see clearly enough or trust ourselves to make decisions. I know I've been there at a few points before. Usually if you take steps to improve your own life and look after yourself then things become clearer and you may feel more able to make decisions about the house, your job, your marriage.

x

HissyByName · 20/08/2012 18:30

That behaviour is designed for you to feel pitifully grateful that he's doing what ANY normal decent bloke woult do without thinking.

The stress is what HE is creating. Observe him, be honest and truthful with yourself.