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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

Why does he stay?

58 replies

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 12:40

Married 20+yrs, mostly volatile. I've always felt I couldn't leave because family would say 'told you so' (married in haste) & I hated the thought of shared custody.

Kids are doing exams in the next few yrs so don't want to leave and be the 'baddie'.

We spend very little time together, but any we do is instigated by me. Sometimes I like him sometimes I hate him ( am governed by hormones)
Sporadic sex - partly a control thing by me as he controls finances. Bad of ne, I know.
He's given up instigating sex now after years of rebuttal.

I know we'll probably split after kids in uni but why does he stay?

He says (when I ask) that he doesn't want to be with anyone else, yet I'm not particularly nice to him sometimes so not sure why he diesn't clear off?

I do all housework/kids arrangements, so naybe he's happy to live like this?

OP posts:
arsenaltilidie · 20/05/2014 14:07

You even admit you are hot and cold with him and you are particularly not nice to him.

Yet some posters are calling him the abuser.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/05/2014 14:07

"I just think I'll be able to leave when the DC aren't going to be living here"

And what if you are wrong which is very likely.

I do not need a crystal ball to tell you that you likely won't leave then either because he will by then have crushed you completely. You will certainly have no money and he will have likely completely managed to make you totally dependent on him in all areas. He could be suffering from ill health and then you could end up being his carer.

AnyFucker · 20/05/2014 14:09

51, I thought my kids would be moving out and going to Uni when they were 18

Newsflash: it doesn't always work out like that. My eldest is working and still at home for the foreseeable future. There will never be a "right" time to change your life. Imagine looking back on this thread in 5/10 years time and thinking about how you could have been happier on your own/with a better man, but you are still there....frozen and miserable as fuck.

AnyFucker · 20/05/2014 14:12

Arse, if you want to blame this woman for the fix she is currently in...why don't you just come straight out and say it ?

I would blow "hot and cold" and "not be nice" to a bloke like this either. Do you think she should have been ?

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:13

I usually pick my times to row (God, that sounds bad) with him when the DC aren't around. Consequently, lots of things don't get discussed because the kids are around.

I'm not saying the kids never see any arguments because sometimes they do, but I'm conscious of not wanting to row in front of them all the time.
I know the kids will pick up on the undercurrents though.

We don't have to spend lots of time in each other's company as he works shifts, which helps.

OP posts:
xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:18

The strange thing is, I'm not a cowed timid little woman! I'm quite bolshy at times, have a strong sense of wanting the underdog to win and tell it like it is, hence people prob think my DH is a bit under the thumb.
To the outside world I wear the trousers in this rekationship.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/05/2014 14:19

You get nothing out of this relationship at all do you 51; that's why you have not answered that question. You cannot answer it, what does that suggest to you?.

They hear all the rows and shouting and sense their dad's coldness towards you as their mum even if they are upstairs in their bedrooms. Of course the children pick up on this, they are perceptive and you cannot even begin to protect them from his abuses of you. Do you want them to think that such ongoing conflict is normal, that this is how adults really behave in a relationship?.

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:25

I suppose I get a comfortable life. That sounds ridiculous really.

Also (and I truly don't understand my thinking here) I don't want him but don't want anyone else having him! Why? Why?Why?

I'd go mad if a girlfriend gave these as reasons not to leave now.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/05/2014 14:25

Abusive men like your H actively like outwardly bolshy women (but with perhaps also a shaky sense of self worth and self esteem) to take down with them into their pit of despair and self loathing. Such types also hate women, all of them. This is what your H has done and perhaps has done from the very early days of your own relationship.

Read the following as well:-

How might power and control tactics affect a woman as she parents her children?

woman believes she is an inadequate parent
?woman portrayed by abuser as unfit mother, cause of children's deficits
?fears having her children taken by SS

?is frustrated in attempts to create structure or be consistent

?children may have problems at school, in neighbourhood, fuelling her belief she is a bad parent

woman loses the respect of some or all children

?some children see her as legitimate target of abuse
?children disregard her parental authority, don't follow her rules
?children may grow to devalue or be ashamed of mother

woman believes twisted excuses abuser provides for his behaviour
?believes abuse is her fault so tries to modify her behaviour
?believes abuse is her fault so feels guilty about its effect on children
?believes abuse is linked to alcohol or stress
?believes abuse is culturally or religiously appropriate

believes men and boys should have more privileges and power in the family

woman changes her parenting style in response to abuser's parenting style

?is too permissive in response to authoritarian parenting of abuser

?is too authoritarian to try and keep children from annoying abuser

?makes age-inappropriate or unreasonable demands on children to placate abuser

?is afraid to use discipline because the children have been through so much

?left to do all the demanding parts of parenting while he engages in fun parts (that has certainly happened in your case)

woman's capacity to manage is thwarted or overwhelmed

?depression, anxiety, poor sleeping, etc. compromise her capacity to care for children and provide for their daily needs

?if denied use of birth control, too many children are born too close together

?may be denied sufficient money to meet children's basic needs for food, etc.

?reactive rather than pro-active parenting, responding to crisis not preventing problems

woman may use survival strategies with negative effects

?may use alcohol or drugs to excess
?may maltreat children, physically or verbally
?may leave them with inadequate caretakers to get a break
?may avoid being at home (e.g., working double shifts)

woman's bond to children is compromised

?children may be angry at mother for failing to protect them or evict abuser
?mother prevented by abuser from comforting distressed child
?one child assumes care-taking role for mother
?children anticipating a mother's deportation or leaving may become anxious or may emotionally disengage to protect themselves from impending loss

woman gets trapped in competition for children's loyalties

?abuser attempts to shape child's view of himself as good and mother as bad
?abuser is fun parent who has no rules
?after separation, abuser entices children to support his bid for custody with promises of great life at his house
?abuser has more money and can offer more material goods and nicer home

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:28

Sorry Arsenal, CC bill incurred due to paying for furniture a few years ago and general living expenses due to overtime being scaled back and my earnings dropping by 250/month.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/05/2014 14:33

"I suppose I get a comfortable life. That sounds ridiculous really".

Describe a comfortable life.

Is that really all you can write?. Not much is it?. Well your life is not comfortable at all. Its pitiful if you call any of that in your first paragraph a comfortable life.

"Also (and I truly don't understand my thinking here) I don't want him but don't want anyone else having him! Why? Why?Why?"

Inbuilt conditioning from parents, the totally misplaced feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment at having so called "failed", perhaps thinking on some level that he could perhaps behave better with another woman (actually he would not because at heart he is abusive).

CogitoErgoSometimes · 20/05/2014 14:37

Why do either of you stay together? I bet your DCs have asked themselves the same question many times. My parents were also careful not to argue when they thought we could hear but there was no mistaking the miserable atmosphere in the house. Now mid-seventies and still as miserable, they never found a good time to leave either. Both I and my DB couldn't get out of there fast enough. We had to 'celebrate' their golden wedding anniversary recently and I hope I never again witness a more fake occasion commemorating a whopping great waste of two perfectly good lives.

It's not a rehearsal...

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:38

Attila, quite a few but not all of what you posted there is true in my case.

My kids are high achievers and have never been in trouble. I am made to feel like I'm the bad cop in our scenario. Husband certainly likes to be the 'fun' parent for sure.

Not sure on the hating women bit, he is popular with women of all ages - is seen as a charming/handsome man. Mind you, his ex emigrated to Oz after their split! He adores his mother who is the Matriarch (his father is dead). I clash with her so of course I'm 'awkward'.

OP posts:
HopeClearwater · 20/05/2014 14:39

What furniture, OP? For the marital home?

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:40

Also, meant to say thank you for posting that last bit of info Attila.

OP posts:
xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:40

Yes HopeClearwater.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 20/05/2014 14:52

So, you spent "your" money on furniture for the marital home and "living expenses". You mean food for the family, sanitary protection for yourself, basic household items needed on a regular basis etc

he let you build up a CC debt for that...and both of you see it as your debt ?

Clear financial abuse

I will say it again, see a solicitor and educate yourself what you are entitled to. You will be very surprised. Assets, as well as debts, are from the marriage

I imagine, on divorce, you will be no less well off than you are now. Perhaps in a smaller home ? So ? I would rather live in a 2 up 2 down than compromise myself for a man.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/05/2014 14:53

(re the information I put up on how power and control tactics affects the woman as she parents her children)

I want to make you think about what is happening to you here.

It does not all have to be there, the fact that a lot of it is resonates with yourself and your home situation is extremely bad.

He is using the children against you as well; he will and does manipulate and use them to his own ends. They cannot see it. This man is a highly manipulative and cunning individual. As for the women who see him as charming abusive and manipulative men do come across as such as well; they are charm personified to those in the outside world.

You still have a choice re this man, you are not completely powerless here.

AnyFucker · 20/05/2014 14:53

Nothing wrong with 2 up 2 downs I hasten to add.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/05/2014 14:55

Presumably as well the interest charges on said credit card debt are high as well; this means it will become even more expensive to pay off.
He cares not for your debt, you as a person or these children. You are all there in his eyes only to serve him and meet his own needs.

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 14:56

It is my dream to have my own little house.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 20/05/2014 14:56

That dream is completely obtainable. Do you get that at all ?

AnyFucker · 20/05/2014 14:59

Do one thing, love. Go see a solicitor and find out exactly where you stand financially.

Or start off by looking here and here

xx51xx · 20/05/2014 15:03

I do AnyFucker. I just have to make the first move and admit to people the marriage has failed.

I wish I didn't give a damn about what people think. We appear to be the Perfect Couple to people. I hate having to admit defeat.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 20/05/2014 15:09

So, will you continue to cut your nose off to spite your face for another 20 years

It takes a bigger and better person to admit something is not working and take decisive steps to end the misery for everyone

if he is too weak to do it (or realises all too well which side his bread is buttered on) then itis down to you

what do you want

one life we get

why would you live it by the thoughts of other people ? Do they see you cry in bed at night, see you having another glass of wine to numb yourself, see you wondering how the fuck you will get through another day never mind another decade ?

who cares what anyone else thinks. I suspect that your facade of "perfect couple" is not as solid as you think it is. Do you think the people around you notice nothing, have no second sense, do not pick up on unspoken cues about you and your husband actually don't like each other ? Think again. When you make that break, that is when you will hear the truth from them.

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