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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

Can I really be considering divorce?

55 replies

Deeplysad · 13/09/2012 21:15

Have name changed for this, would hate to be outed in RL. Sorry its long

Bit of history. Was with dh for 15 yrs when we got married this summer, We have 2 dc aged 4 and 5. We got together young (Iwas 16) bought a house (when I was 18), got in loads of debt, in a big mess. I worked a night job in a call centre as well as my daytime banking jobs and was eventually promoted to a managers job, paid off debts, gave up 2nd job. dh had unskilled but regular workA few years later, I was 26 by then we decided to start a family. When I was pg with eldest dc dh decided to leave his job and start his own business as a window cleaner and asked to remortgage house which we did. (£10k) when I was pg with dc2 I left my job, the cost of childcare meant that I decided to stay at home until younger dc was 1 then start 4 yrs retraining as a teacher as i really hated my banking job. I had £10k in the bank and no debts,so thought as long as dh had some income all would be ok, we'd just scrimp for a while. (I only mean 9 mths from when my mat pay kicked in until I could get student finance)

I didn't know he was making no money and running up massive debts. The first I knew was when someone arrived to reposess the van he had bought on finance. I had a 16mth dc and a newborn in the room and he verbally (there is no other word for it) bulied me to pay what he owed on my credit card. this happened again a few months later. This was in 2008. The 'business' dwindled until he was making no money (about £50pw) but was working every day. He also manages a mens football team at a serious level, does not get paid, but I reckon puts about 25 hrs a week in. He still hasn't got a proper job, I am a year away from qualifying as a teacher and i think he expects me to rpay the debts a- about £40k. He says he doesn't wan't the dc in out of hours care an would rather one of us was there to pick them up from school, but whilst I think there is some truth in this (he is a really affectionate dad) I also think he doesn't want to work hard, or have to miss football commitments because he can't have time off work.

He also does very little around the house. On Tues night I had to reseal the leaking bath at 11pm after being on a placement in school all day, doing homework, tea, bath and bedtime on my own because he had started it on Sun, not finished was (as always) out at footy and we need to get baths.

I am only 31 and feel like an old woman, worn down with worry about debt. If I'm really honest I am only with him for the kids' sake, I don't want to rip their world apart. God knows why I agreed to marry him in the summer (this didn't cause money issues, it was just at the town hall with no guests), I guess with hindsight I thought it might turn a corner. Hugely naive I know.
I don't know what to do. He's not a bad person, he's an affectionate dad, he he's not abusive in any way to us. He's just so bloody lazy and selfish.

I am so tempted to ask him to leave. About £15k of the debts are in my name (£5k that he asked me to put on the card that day, £10k uni debts) I own the house (although only about £10k equity) and both our cars- not worth loads, about £1000 each.

At the moment I am waiting for a student finance payment that is late and we are literally living on beans on toast. Tomorrow I have got to grovel to my daughters pre school to wait for payment of this terms fees until it comes in.

I feel absolutely defeated.

Any advice would be appreciated- I just don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Offred · 13/09/2012 22:39

No, you can't tell and he may feel angry and want to fight but it is always better if you know where you stand. How long have you been married?

Deeplysad · 13/09/2012 22:39

I'm going to go now. I could stay here all night debating it, but I'm the only one who can make the decision and I do need to make a decision. Thanks so much for your time and for listening to my moaning

OP posts:
Deeplysad · 13/09/2012 22:40

sorry Offred just saw your last post. We got married in June.

OP posts:
Inadeeptrance · 13/09/2012 22:40

He is incredibly lazy, selfish and irresponsible. He is also unlikely to change. Why would he? He's got a great life. A wife who works her arse off and does everything, no responsibility, he fucks off to football whenever he wants and it's ALL about him!

Marriage is supposed to be about being a team, he is a selfish millstone around your neck, who will drag you down and down until you drown.

What do you get from this marriage? Where is the partner who is supposed to share the burden? In your marriage, he IS the burden! You sound an intelligent, together woman who can make something of her life. You won't though if you stay, he will go down and take you with him.

Time to get legal advice I think. Figure out your options. Tell him he gets a job and sorts out his debts or it's over. If he cares enough about you, it may be the kick up the arse he needs. I rather suspect he will give it a halfhearted attempt then give up. If he does, you have your answer. Please don't waste any more of your life with someone who has so little respect for you.

Offred · 13/09/2012 22:42

When did you find out about the debts?

Deeplysad · 13/09/2012 22:43

Inadeeptrance- thanks- I am starting to feel like this... if I'm truly honest I think I know we're pretty much at the end of the line and I'm just finding it difficult to face up to it.

OP posts:
Deeplysad · 13/09/2012 22:44

offred- about 3- 4 years ago, little by little.

OP posts:
Offred · 13/09/2012 22:45

Presumably you have consummated the marriage? It may be worth wracking your brain to see if you have any possible grounds to have the marriage annulled rather than separating and then divorcing. If that's what you choose. You may feel stronger after sleep.

Deeplysad · 13/09/2012 22:48

offred- I will look into it,I will find out tomorrow. I am going to head of to bed, but thanks (everyone) for taking the time to talk to me. Feel a bit more sane now.

OP posts:
Offred · 13/09/2012 22:51

Hope you get some good sleep. Things always feel much worse late at night. X

Feckbox · 13/09/2012 23:35

But perhaps just once

Deeplysad · 15/09/2012 20:34

Wondered if anyone is about? He's left.

Started talking to him last night, got nowhere. Went to see my mum today and confided in her. She knew we have having probs but not the full details and she was lovely and supportive. That made me feel a bit stronger.

Started talking to him tonight, hoping to make him see sense, but as I could feel the conversation ending the same way as always I told him I wanted him to leave. He said I don't blame you and left. I am actually a bit worried about him. Not feeling like changing my mind, just worried he might hurt himself or something stupid. I do still care about his wellbeing.

OP posts:
Offred · 15/09/2012 20:46

Oh gosh! That's very quick but I suppose not surprising exactly. Could you call his mum or another of his relatives or close friends and let them know if you are seriously worried but perhaps I wouldn't bother too much because part of the problem was you being too responsible for him. He needs to look after himself and you could do with letting him go.

Deeplysad · 15/09/2012 20:51

I feel a bit shell shocked- I had only meant to try and make him see the situation for what it was, can't quite believe its happened. I think I will text his sister in the morning, they are quite close, but you're right I need to stop trying to 'look after' him. Still can't quite believe this is happening. But I am actually feeling very calm.

OP posts:
Offred · 15/09/2012 20:56

Have you got someone for you to speak to in real life? It must be very difficult to get your head around such a sudden change. Confused

Deeplysad · 15/09/2012 21:00

He's just come back bloody in. Walked straight upstairs and shut himself in the bathroom. Don't know what's going on.But yes I could call my mum or sis. Actually just want a bit of quiet before I talked to anyone. After our chat today it wouldn't be a surprise for mum.

Will go now. Don't know if hes just come back to get stuff or what.

Thanks for coming back to chat Thanks

OP posts:
Offred · 15/09/2012 21:09

I did wonder if he might be back. I think you are cast in the mum role and him as the child. If you relationship were to continue this would very definitely need to change. I hope he hasnt just done a manipulative storming out attempt. I hope you can have a good and more productive talk. X

Deeplysad · 15/09/2012 21:45

He's come in. Asked me to think about it til tomorrow. Phoned someone he knows who is a manager at a supermarket and they are taking on with jobs starting 1st week Oct. Bit pissed off he hasn't done this before. Don't know if this is just talk or what really. I said its not just the job, its sorting himself out so he's not a burden. He said he gets that. He said desperately doesn't want to lose me and the kids. I said I just don't know, but that either way he won't lose the kids, I always want him to a big part of their lives, it would be davastating for them for that not to be the case. At least he doesn't seem angry or like he'd play silly games over the kids/ access/ custody etc.

I said I'm not sure what I want I'll think on it. I really am not sure. He's going to sleep downstairs- don't want him moving in and out for the kids sake. Will only give it a week or so though. If I'm not utterly convinced hes going to seriously change I do want out.

Am meeting my sis on Mon lunchtime so will chat to her.

Thanks again for listening x

OP posts:
Offred · 15/09/2012 21:51

That sounds a more realistic conversation. There would be nothing wrong with that effort he says he is making being too little too late and you telling him so and asking him to go if it is how you feel just so you know. If you have really had enough it won't matter what he does now about the job since you will have to stick with him a while through tough times while the debts are paid off even if he gets a job now.

It is a bit maddening that he can find work so quickly after letting you struggle so long on your own when faced with what he probably will come to see as a threat rather than a decision.

However it does sound like you are maybe not so sure you don't want to see how this pans out.

Offred · 15/09/2012 21:53

I also think he needs to make this change fundamentally for himself, if he does it for keeping you happy is it going to be a permanent change? He has a lot to prove. What a hard situation being so newly married and so long together. Confused

Deeplysad · 15/09/2012 22:05

I know.

I have to say I just want to give it a little time. Only a little though. See that the job materialises etc. That can't be much more than a week if they start at beginning of Oct.

I don't know if it is too little to late really.

I thought I would feel devastated after I asked him to leave but actually felt quite calm, which surprises me.

I guess I just don't want to make the wrong decision. If we split I want it to be a clean break, I don't want him coming and going as that would just be too confusing for the kids.

But if I am honest I would really like him to change and for us to make a go of it. Which is very different from just carrying on as we are.

I am having to be very firm with myself that I will not just let it drag on as before.

OP posts:
Deeplysad · 15/09/2012 22:14

Thanks again for listening. i'll head off in a minute as not much more to be done for now.

But you've helped me keep things in perspective... thanks x

OP posts:
Feckbox · 16/09/2012 00:37

don't back down. feeling your partner is not pulling their weight financially , or in whatever way was agreed will kill a relationship