Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Not sure where to go from here, or what I want

15 replies

feelingabitqueasy · 23/01/2014 09:39

Almost scared to post, because I probably dont want to hear the truth, but big breath...

Been with DP 19 years, we have a dd who is 9. From the outside all looks great, large house, nice cars etc. DP has own business and spends a lot of time there and works hard.

I gave up work with dd, gone back part time, do all house stuff. I feel a bit disempowered, as I rely on DP's money, mine is so minimal it buys dd the extras, pays my phone, insurances. I earned more, but was made redundant last year and retrained, still trying to get that going, but working in an associated field, to have some money of my own.

DP is hopeless with dd, it seems he just can't see how to interact with her naturally, as such he winds her up, he is affectionate to our pets, but can't be the same withe dd, he does very little with her, when I try and orchestrate something, I find he has taken her to work, or left her with his sil. Dd is wonderful, we are so lucky she is easy going and fun, but she is starting to 'switch off' to her dad, I see her go upstairs when he comes in, as he always tells her to turn her programme off. He tends to see negatives everywhere and finds it hard to just enjoy the moment. Personally I think he has some autistic tendencies and a few years ago, a family member also thought this, he would be horrified if I mentioned this.

DP is no longer affectionate with me, he never kisses, or cuddles, unless he wants sex, which to be honest is non existent nowadays, my fault I think, I feel frumpy and tatty (can't afford to have hair cut and coloured so often, although I do always look smart and take care of my appearance). I also found he had been watching porn on the iPad and it has put me off., he made little of it and seems to have stopped, but that's another tale. I also haven't been feeling too well I have had a cancer lump removed end of last year and have been going through the menopause for the last two years and trying to do this on my own - so many things, I found out I have a serious health issue that although is monitored yearly by specialists, I could also develop it more severely or just die suddenly. Dd has also been ill and has a condition that has to be controlled carefully for life diagnosed recently, not connected to mine by the way.

Christmas was hard, I did everything, all the buying, bought pressies on eBay for dd out my own money and am overdrawn, which worries me. DP puts money in an account for food etc., but this was depleted because we had friends staying, so extra food presses for his family (I can't afford to buy those, not expensive things, but it mounts up). I told him we were short, but either he ignores, or chooses to ignore. There is always extras, school trip, new uniform for dd, although I buy second hand through school a lot, music lesson etc., and I find it hard to budget it all. This month I paid for food out of my account, because I was fed up of telling DP that we didn't have anything left. Thankfully the money has just gone in!

This morning, I told him that there was a school trip and it was £100 two day PGL camp and he just said she should go - I am thinking where is that coming from? I know he will moan about writing a cheque and say that it should come out the food account. He has just paid fees for dance class.

I feel tired, overwhelmed and teary, outside all goes on and no one would know. I try talking to DP and he says not to be so dramatic. I saw nurse at clinic for routine check up and my bp is sky high ( despite tablets) she made me an immediate appointment for dr. I go tomorrow, usually I breeze in saying all is ok. It isn't though is it?

Sorry for huge post, but didn't want to drip. I have nc too.

OP posts:
FlatFacedArmy · 23/01/2014 11:23

You poor thing, you sound exhausted. It's not ok. You know it's not ok.

One thing that strikes me more than the lack of affection/interaction is the amount of financial control your DH seems to have on the family. If he earns a good salary, where does it go? Do you have access to those accounts or statements? Why are you buying presents for his family that you can't afford while your DD is wearing secondhand uniform?

It really sounds like you are coming to the end of your tether and you realise something has to change. What do you think that change might be?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/01/2014 11:38

The truth though can set you free of this at its heart abusive relationship model that is being shown to your child. Would you want her to emulate this as an adult, of course not.

What do you get out of this relationship now?.

I honestly think that things will only improve for you and your DD if you were actually to leave this man. He only cares for his own self, you and your DD do not perhaps even figure anywhere on his priority list.

He is no loving man to you or father to his child, he is abusive to you on multiple levels including financial. He is certainly financially abusing you - abuse is about power and control and this person wants absolute.

Please call Womens Aid on 0808 2000 247 - they can and will help you here and seek help to get away from this man. He will destroy you completely and drag your child down with him as well otherwise. There is no future in this relationship whatsoever.

Oh I doubt very much he is anywhere on the ASD spectrum actually as well. He acts like this too because he can, I am sure too he is very plausible to those in the outside world like many abusers are.

You do not want to be spending the next 19 minutes, let alone months and years living hand to mouth like you are currently doing.

Jan45 · 23/01/2014 12:31

What a weird situation, in that he appears to see his own daughter as purely your responsibility, emotionally and financially. Effectively you are living the life of a single parent, and as a single lady, perhaps you need to think about actually living a life that doesn't include him, he appears completely disengaged from family life.

feelingabitqueasy · 23/01/2014 15:54

Thank you for the replies.

Yes I do feel like a single mum, only difference is that I have someone else to think about other than dd and me to cook and iron for, although I suppose, because I only work three days, I see that as my job really.

I can't think how I could leave, dd would be devastated to leave our home and pets, he certainly wouldn't as it is his, he bought it outright - we are not married, so I haven't any claim on it - which is crazy really. We are engaged and kept intending to marry.....maybe that was another way to control.

I am not sure it is intentional this money thing, or whether he doesn't think. He said to friends at Christmas that I don't contribute to the home, yet I have spent the last 9 years, cooking, cleaning, caring and organising everything. I would love to get a job and have an equal footing, but with his hours and school run etc., it is very difficult. I have spent today with DD at the hospital, it is me who takes the time off from my part time job and I have a zero hours contract, so no work, no pay! I also burst into tears in the car park, someone took a place I was waiting for, we were late too and when I asked if I could have it, as dd had an appointment the man was really rude. It just felt the last straw. DD was brilliant, I just said I was tired, worried etc., and that makes people feel cryey!! I feel awful about it.

I need to talk to him and tell him how I feel, but I know he hates confrontation and I never manage to get out what I want to say. I just can't leave, I want to make it work and make it better.

OP posts:
Jan45 · 23/01/2014 16:07

Oh he's got a nerve, you don't contribute to the house, would he rather have to pay a child minder then? And, on top of running the house and looking after the child that belongs to BOTH of you, you also work 3 days a week, wtf does he want, an unpaid skivvy?

You could leave if you really wanted to, it can be done. Okay you want to stay and make it work, but he has to also, tell him how you feel, it doesn't have to be confrontational.

Jan45 · 23/01/2014 16:07

Write it down and leave it for him to read.

feelingabitqueasy · 23/01/2014 17:45

Yes, that would be an idea, I need to pluck up the courage to start this off, because I feel I am about to open the floodgates.

I am also wondering, if when I see the Dr tomorrow, to tell him how I really feel, I have never been one for making a fuss! I cried all the way home in the car today after dropping dd at school after the hospital. I feel so low.

OP posts:
redundantandbitter · 23/01/2014 22:53

I empathise with your money situation. I worked part time from home after being made redundant on mat leave with dd2. (My redundancy £'s went into the joint savings but 18 months later it was all gone. )

I struggled on little pay , buying xmas stuff on eBay , no haircuts or shoes . It's stupid , when I read it back , but you muddle through.

Anyone he's now moved out and married a work colleague (11 months later). And you know what? I have more money now than I have in years . Yes, I have got 2 jobs and 2 DDs , childcare and dog to be in sole charge of.. But it's doable. Tax credits make all the difference.

I was depressed and felt completely crap. My sekf esteem wad zero. Grateful that my boss took a chance and employed me , tweaked my hours, working days etc. but it works now. I look at where I was 4 years ago and I simply don't recognise that low, passive person

Yes, address the money issue. Write all the monthly outgoings down.. Classes etc and show him the shortfall.

Remind him you keep the place running, appointments attended and all that stuf.

It's daunting but you need to get him round the table, make you both a cup of tea and say 'I need to talk to you about the family finances'

Also , I think you can pay for PGL hols with childcare vouchers. So , if your H's workplace allow him to buy them pretax he will pay approx £70 for £100 vouchers .

feelingabitqueasy · 23/01/2014 23:09

Yes muddling through, that's how it feels exactly the same. I think I feel more vulnerable because I am so reliant, it is a stupid position to get in.

I am trying to pick my moment to broach it, not good that I am dreading it. I have done a spreadsheet for all the outgoings, nothing in the house account is for me whatsoever. I am also going to show what I paid for too, so he can see how far out he is. But he will moan at me for spending to much at Christmas!

Flat... You asked where his money goes - I have no idea, I have no access to his personal accounts. He keeps them at work. He just transfers money into the house account. I don't think I can ask, as feel it's not my business, not bring married. We have no mortgage and don't drink/smoke. We lost our family allowance, because he is a higher earner, so he must be squirrelling it somewhere. We do go on lovely holidays and he pays school fees for dd which aren't cheap.

OP posts:
shey02 · 23/01/2014 23:27

You should be a partnership here. Most nuclear households do not operate like this, he needs to see that. It's not okay for you to feel like a second class citizen in your own home. He appears to be just using you and I can't see what you get out of it other than a roof over your head. Which he would need to pay for anyway, should you choose to leave him........ Sorry. Hugs.

feelingabitqueasy · 23/01/2014 23:35

A roof is useful! Wink. Seriously though, It feels I have a place to stay, a lovely home etc, but no control as such. It isn't a partnership, he holds all the aces.

Tonight I could feel myself shutting off. Do you know, dd went for tests today at the hospital and he hasn't asked me how she got on and what was said. I have been waiting for him to do so all evening.

OP posts:
redundantandbitter · 23/01/2014 23:44

God , he sounds SO much like my DDs father. He never e asked about things like that. Sometimes I would volunteer the info, other times I would wait to see if he remembered/was bothered.

I was pondering this today, he wasn't abusive in the way so many partners are on MN but he just seen disconnected. Checked out. Never ever had sex (neither of us remotely interested) or any physical contact, never discussed either. We lived in the same house but Seperate worlds.whats the description?

I hated every minute. What about you? Do you think you still live this man and working on the furnaces and communication would make the difference?

Or is it too late?

redundantandbitter · 23/01/2014 23:45

'Furnaces'? Apologies for typos, it's late!

feelingabitqueasy · 23/01/2014 23:58

Yes, I've been waiting. Is it selfish of him, thoughtless, disconnected? I have always said if I want him to remember something, I need to go into his workplace and tell him, he is switched on there, almost like he switches off at home.

Sometimes I am in the middle of a sentence and he just cuts me off, like he just hasn't heard. I am beginning to think I am boring! Never asks about work, what I've done, how I am, parallel universe?

I think sometimes I love him, but then he irritates me in a lot of the things he does. For example, he did bath tonight and shouts down, these pyjamas don't look too warm.... They are long sleeved, long legged, brushed cotton - last night as dd was just dozing off, he came in her room, opened the window saying it was too warm in there,turned off her night light which she loves,totally disrupted the moment, so she is cross at him for disturbing everything, I am cross at him, as she was all sleepy and cozy. Too hot last night too cold tonight WTF?

I would like what we had back.

OP posts:
shey02 · 25/01/2014 13:52

Strange behaviour honestly.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page