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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

Please help...I feel like my marriage is over...

73 replies

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 20:29

It was our 3 year wedding anniversary on Sunday (we've been together 6 years) and DH has walked out today saying he needs space.

He is a recovering alcoholic (gave up drinking a month or so ago) but also addicted to cannabis (in my opinion...I don't have an issue with the social smoking of this drug so please, I'm really not after judgement).

We've been snappy with each other for a few weeks. My defence mechanism is to cry...I'm shit at arguing I really am, I try and hold it in but I can't. I don't make a big thing about it, I take myself off quietly and try to hide it but he seems to think I'm guilt tripping him.

Here is the text he sent me earlier

"Truth is, I'm not really feeling how I did before. I've started to notice since I sobered up how selfish and wrapped up in yourself you are, and the fact is that every time I tell you anything, you cry. Today isn't the first time you've done it, emotional or not, I'm not being held to ransom any more. Stay at (friend's house, we were there with our daughter when we argued and he stormed out) if you want but this is your home not mine. Sorry if what I've said is not what you want to hear but it's the only chance I've had without you crying and me having to back down because of that."

I can't see how I'm selfish...I really can't! All I do is think about him and our daughter. I get upset because he talks to me like shit! Then when I cry he says thing like "well if I'm so fucking horrible I might as well leave you both then", which makes ME back down and beg him not to go. He says horrible things to our little girl when he's stressed and I'm finally standing up to him over it. He still seemed to make that my fault as well by saying I don't step in enough to stop him getting stressed (she's 2 and hard work...I still manage to not shout and swear at her though).

I've just had enough I really have. I love him so much, all I've done is support him. Through his drug and drink problems etc. He's trying to get a career in the music business and I've been nothing but supportive. He lies to me about money and I don't confront him because I hate confrontation. I'm selfish?? Seriously??

I've been battling depression, I've been put on anti-depressants which haven't really helped and I've been trying to find my feet on, and my Mum has terminal cancer, we don't know how long she's got...so I may have been preoccupied...but I don't understand what I've done wrong.

The icing on the cake was this. He took the key and said he was going home to pack some things as he needed some space. I was at our friend's and she said he could stay there tonight if need be, which I told him. I was there trying to hold it together in front of our two year old. He knocked at the door, gave my friend the key and just left, telling her to tell me he didn't want to cause a scene. Our daughter heard her Dad (who she dotes on and asks for all the time when he's out) and then he's gone...so I have to deal with that as well. Then he texts me saying he didn't want to "make it hard for me and DD".

What a fucking coward...I'm so upset and angry, I don't know what to do. I've just settled my daughter and I'm indoors on my own with a bottle of wine, I feel at a loss. Parts of him I love more than life itself but I can't do this anymore. I always have to be the positive force in the wake of his moody negativity and it's fucking exhausting.

I've tried to put as much info as I can, I don't want to drip feed, but there is stuff I've missed out. I need to vent and I have no-one to talk to. I can't talk to Mum, she's too ill and thinks we're blissfully happy.

OP posts:
beepoff · 01/10/2013 20:36

It sounds like you've been a saint. He sounds like the selfish one. Selfish and mean. How dare he blame you for his outbursts at your DD.

I think you'd be well rid if I'm completely honest. It must be really hard to let go when you've invested so much of yourself into him but it sounds like he doesn't respect or appreciate you at all. I'm sorry. You and your daughter deserve more.

Albert27 · 01/10/2013 20:38

I'm sorry but he sounds like an arsehole - sober or drunk.

Why do you love this man? It seems he makes you feel like total shit and that kind of man is not worth loving.

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 20:43

I've put up with a lot. He's never laid his hands on me or DD and I don't think he would (honestly) but it doesn't mean the words don't hurt. He has real anger issues, he has a lot of shit from his past which has made him this way I think. His Dad beat him badly for his whole childhood.

All I've ever tried to do is get him help, I've made appointments for him, I've gone with him, I've tried suggesting things to help but it's like he doesn't want to deal with it...

And when I look back at that it seems like I'm justifying his behaviour...why the fuck should I?

When he's good, he's amazing, he's like my best friend, and he does do a lot for us (around the house etc) but no matter how much I keep telling myself the good times are worth it....it's wearing a bit thin to be honest.

OP posts:
ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 20:45

He does have good parts. We have good fun together most of the time, he's helped me through so much, he's been very supportive at times (we had a miscarriage years ago and he was fantastic when I needed him). It used to be that the occasional argument didn't matter in the face of all the good stuff, but now the bad times far outweigh the good. I'm so scared, I don't want to deal with this, I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 01/10/2013 20:48

just let him go, let all of it go

Enough now. This man is going to drive you to a breakdown. No man is worth that, not ever.

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 20:50

I'm just so sad

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 01/10/2013 20:51

What the others said. Concentrate on you and DD, then your Mum, and a million other people before him. He needs space, that's a laugh.

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 20:53

I know you're right...I've been lying to myself for so long, and everyone else, I've never told any of these things to anyone.

OP posts:
ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 20:54

He just fucks off, leaving me in tears in front of my friend and my daughter and says it's MY fault as I'm too sensitive and I've "got and audience"

He doesn't want to cause a scene? He couldn't even look me in the face and say he where he was going. I keep swinging from devastated and upset to so fucking angry.

Sorry, I know I'm ranting and rambling...it feels a bit weird letting it all out

OP posts:
Matildathecat · 01/10/2013 20:57

Could he have created this situation to use as an excuse to start drinking again?

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 01/10/2013 20:58

Keep posting on here, go easy on the wine, there are good people here who can offer practical advice.

ImperialBlether · 01/10/2013 20:59

It sounds as though he likes to blame other people for his own shortcomings, doesn't it? Who does he blame for his alcoholism?

Do you think he's designed this whole argument so that he feels justified in going out for a drink tonight?

Albert27 · 01/10/2013 20:59

You do know what to do - it's just bloody scary to admit it to yourself. You need to get shot of this man. This man will indeed drive you to a breakdown and you deserve a helluva lot better than that as does your DS.

He is totally toxic and draining you of your soul.

Leave him now.

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 21:00

I don't know Matilda, part of me thinks he might have some resentment towards me and DD because he sees us as the reason he stopped drinking. I didn't give him and ultimatum, he decided on his own, but I know most of the reasons he gave up was because he didn't want to let us down.

I've spent all afternoon questioning myself trying to see if I AM being selfish and not seeing it. I know depression can be quite selfish but I've tried really hard not to be. I got some sexy underwear and stuff to surprise him on our anniversary, because we haven't had any time to ourselves, but things got in the way and he kept making excuses to not be here, now I just feel like a dickhead.

OP posts:
ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 21:01

You guys have no idea how this is making me feel, I'm sat here with tears running down my face...I always feel like everything is my fault.

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 01/10/2013 21:01

I'm a bit loathe to say this but maybe he is struggling with not drinking and focusing those feelings on you. But im sorry, there was one thing you said - he says awful things to your DD. FFS, she is 2 years old!!! He is doing you a favour, you might not realise it now but he has ground you down and persuaded you that you need him. Actually the cannibis is NOT OK, the strains these days are far stronger and there has been evidence for paranoia and agitation when taking this. He sounds like a tool.

Give him the space he needs - loads of it, you'll be surprised - you'll feel better.

Sorry to hear about your mum :(

LEMisdisappointed · 01/10/2013 21:05

It is NOT your fault, yes living with someone with depression is hard work - i suffer from depression and DP does struggle and soemtimes he can be less than patient. He doesn't however behave like a cunt and blame everyone else for his own issues like your DH.

If he can't give up drinking for himself then he wont be able to do it for you - you need to make that abundantly clear to him, but you know what, its not your problem, its his, dont let him make it yours.

To be honest he sounds like an immature little boy!

It sounds like he has had you like a puppet on a string, its time to cut those strings - seriously, you, and more importantly, your DD deserve so much more than this!

Albert27 · 01/10/2013 21:09

My sweet, it is NOT your fault at all.

You need to see this man for what he is. I agree with LEM - give him the space he needs to get better so that you too can recover. You will be surprised at how the weight is lifted off your shoulders.

You absolutely do not need to carry this man anymore and certainly don't need to carry the guilt/blame that you feel for his inadequacies.

Do it for you and do it for your DS.

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 21:10

Thanks LEM, I'm so close to my Mum, it's devastating to think I could lose her soon. She's amazing and it would break her heart for her to know I'm like this.

I gave up smoking weed years ago as it made me paranoid, but I don't mind people who smoke it. What I DO mind is him hiding money to pay for it and him getting us into debt over it. I keep trying to justify the things he does and I don't know why. I see a side of him that I love, but then there's all this other shit. People always say we seem so in love but i haven't seen a look of love from him for weeks. I know getting over addiction is hard which is why I've cut him slack.

The way he talks to DD breaks my heart sometime and he did it in front of my friend the other day (same friend who supported me today, she's amazing). She went mad and pulled me to one side saying I shouldn't put up with that. She's a really bright little girl but she does whine a lot. But like you say, she's only 2 FFS, God I've seen so much worse, she's an angel really, good natured and never spiteful, maybe a bit cheeky but what 2 yr old isn't?

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 01/10/2013 21:14

all two year olds are cheeky and demanding, he is just a weak and pathetic man for not being able to cope

Albert27 · 01/10/2013 21:15

TBH she sounds better behaved than your husband!

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 21:16

I'm terrified...I got with my ex when I was 15 and stayed with him until I was 23...then I got with DH quite quickly (I know that sounds bad) and I'm now 30...I haven't been on my own my whole adult life...

OP posts:
ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 21:18

I feel like I justify his behaviour because of his problems and his past...I know I shouldn't, but I do. Then he'll do something lovely and make me feel on top of the world...he does have a good side, despite all I've said.

OP posts:
Albert27 · 01/10/2013 21:24

Is that what you're scared of - being alone?

Because it doesn't sound very much like you've really been in a true partnership with this man for a while. He drinks, smokes pot, lies about money and yet blames you for his problems. That's not an equal adult relationship based on love and respect.

He is being cruel and unkind to you and your DD. TBH, I would be more scared of staying in a relationship with this man than I would about going it alone. It's hard (I've done it) but you're clearly a brave woman for recognising the problems in the first place.

Be strong, lean on your good friend and get away from him. You're only 30 - you will be better off, happier and you have your whole life ahead of you still. XX

ScarletLady02 · 01/10/2013 21:27

It's not just being alone. He does (well did) make me feel amazing most of the time and helped me get over a load of issues left with me by my ex. It just seems like he gave me a load of new ones.

I don't know if I'm ready to give up the good bits...even though now I've got all this out I know I have to...my friend said I need to focus on what's best for DD and it isn't this.

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