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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

At the end of my tether - why doesn't he care?

25 replies

wishicouldseethefuture · 26/08/2014 10:22

I will try not to waffle on with this but I really need some outside views on this as I don't really want to speak to anyone in rl yet. I've been with my DH now for about 14 years, married for 8 and we have two children. Despite having a family my DH regularly goes out drinking - 3/4 times a week although sometimes, usually when I've said something, he'll cut it down to 2 times a week. He will always say he's not drunk but I can tell how much by how he smells of beer and by how he acts. I dont like him helping with the children when he comes back after being there although I know he thinks I'm being silly/over the top when I say this. He works and I'm now a sahm although did also work full time up to last year. I always paid the bills etc out of my wage so he never in my mind appreciated what we needed to pay out. We've been in debt now for about five years - it's all in my name since I was the one with the high paying job, good credit and owned my own place. I bought this when we were kind of split but getting back together. My credit is now shot to pieces and I'm selling the property to clear this debt. Going back to the drinking, I appreciate he is under pressure but I can't understand why when I say to him I can't live like this he continues to do it. Since I'm now not earning and rely on him for money, I have to continually ask whether he has any and he gives me some when he has it. We've missed quite a few payments because he said he doesn't have the money but he can still afford to go to the pub and to get takeaways quite often. He doesn't ever cook and very very rarely does anything round the house - usually when I'm starting to do something he'll ask if I want him to do it. He's got a short temper and will throw things and break things when he's lost it - he's never hit me though. The worrying thing though is - and I've only realised this in the last few days - my eldest son has been having tantrums this last year where he shouts and throws things which ironically DH says we have to nip in the bid - but this is exactly what he does! We also differ in our attitude to discipline - he's pro smacking whereas I'm against that but I think he thinks I'm too soft. When he's out drinking he says he'll be back by a certain time but there's always some reason why this doesn't happen - he doesn't text to say he'll be late and now doesn't apologise or explain when he gets home. I think he's now just thinking why bother when I'm p'd off anyway! I've said now a number of times I can't live this way and he needs to change but he's still doing it. I know it's probably coming across as if I'm listing all his faults - he is good with our eldest occasionally and does do the occasional thing round the house and make the occasional cup of coffee. I know that I can't be that easy to live with - I get moody but usually only when there's a reason. I do go on about money as well but someone has to. Please could I have some objective views as to this situation - I'm seriously considering my options at the moment but I'm worried about the impact on the children.

OP posts:
MargaretRiver · 26/08/2014 10:26

Why did you quit your job and become reliant on such an unreliable person?

Can you go back to work?

You need an exit strategy

YvyB · 26/08/2014 10:26

So... you're asking 'why doesn't he care?'
I think you're asking the wrong question.
Don't you really need to be asking 'when and how shall I leave so I can build a stable, financially secure home for my dcs?'

AnyFucker · 26/08/2014 10:26

he has an alcohol problem, doesn't he ?

the impact on the children of living with an alcoholic full time over their formative years will be much worse than the short term pain of splitting with him would be

CogitoErgoSometimes · 26/08/2014 10:28

"I appreciate he is under pressure but I can't understand why when I say to him I can't live like this he continues to do it. "

Because he's selfish, lazy and has no respect for you. I think, unfortunately, that you've been carrying him for a long time and that his irresponsibility and poor attitude has been hidden in the process. Now that you are having to rely on him, it's exposing him in his true colours.

Short tempers, shouting and throwing things is Domestic Abuse. Saying 'he's never hit me' is indicative of how far things have sunk. In a loving, caring, healthy relationship, hitting shouldn't even be on the radar.

FunkyBoldRibena · 26/08/2014 10:28

Go back to work. Kick him out. Get a strategy together for dealing with the debt.

Really, this is not good. You would be better off alone.

LEMmingaround · 26/08/2014 10:29

What do you get from this man? Apart from fuck all.

Is the house sold? Could you get some advice re the debts? We have a debt management plan that means all interest is frozen on credit cards. Credit rating fucked but we kept our house.

YvyB · 26/08/2014 10:33

Btw, I have worked with children and teenagers for 20 yrs, and 'leave' really is my objective opinion. One stable, relible parent is all a child needs to feel safe and thrive. On the other hand, a parent in the home who drinks regularly, takes financial risks and puts everyone's future in jeopardy causes so much damage. I say this as a full time working single mum too. Not only is my life easier but when I asked my ds if he missed having a father around (his 'd'f chose to go NC 5 yrs ago as a protest that I was building a new life for us!) He said, "mum, you've been MORE than enough" then, when he saw my face, he added "I only mean in a good way!" :D

Your security is SO important. It's the foundations for your dcs to build from as they grow up.

wishicouldseethefuture · 26/08/2014 10:35

I know I look a bit of a fool for relying on him when he's not so reliable -I was made redundant last year and due to being pregnant probably wouldn't have found another job but admittedly didn't try. DH was very much you've supported us all this time, take a break and be with the dc. He did - and foolishly I believed him - say there wouldn't be a problem and he would easily bring home the equivalent of my wage each month which hasn't happened. I agree with your comments regarding I should be thinking how to leave - this is why I'm considering my options. I've seen a job that I could go for and will be applying for that shortly. Whether I get it is another thing. Regarding him being an alcoholic, I don't know - he has cut it out for short periods but will always go back to it.

OP posts:
wishicouldseethefuture · 26/08/2014 10:37

Sorry drip feeding but should have said we don't live in the property I'm selling - it's too small. We moved out and are renting. My property is not yet sold - almost all being well and once sold it will clear the debt with a bit left over.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 26/08/2014 10:37

He puts his use of alcohol above your respect for him and above a functional family life ergo he is an alcoholic

Call it a "problem with alcohol" if that feels more comfortable for you, but the outcome is exactly the same Sad

CogitoErgoSometimes · 26/08/2014 10:39

There are various definitions and degrees of alcoholism. Personally, I think it's more about the impact on the family and the individual rather than units consumed. In your case the impact is significant enough to be a problem He's spending money you don't have and he's not pulling his weight a lot of the time, often because he's had a few drinks. Alcohol - whatever the quantity - is damaging your family

Lonecatwithkitten · 26/08/2014 10:42

Very first thing is where does the child benefit go? If it is to him then get it changed to your own account.
As someone who failed to acknowledge that my ExH had an alcohol problem, I can tell you your H's drinking is a problem.
You can not change it only he can. You need to start to build an exit strategy.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 26/08/2014 10:43

Your only option going forward is to leave.

Your children will be further impacted by you choosing to remain within this situation rather than removing yourselves from it.

Life with an alcoholic is always but always chaotic and what you describe is symptomatic of this.

doziedoozie · 26/08/2014 10:47

I can't see any redeeming features so use the 'bit left over' to allow you to move out and set up on your own. He can still be a good and caring dad if he chooses to (sounds like he isn't one now -perhaps this will shake him into improving and giving up the booze, the present scenario is not working and isn't going to change unless he wants it to)

wishicouldseethefuture · 26/08/2014 10:51

I do get the child benefit to my account already. I don't want to do anything in terms of ending it until the other place is sold - I don't want that being jeopardised. Plus it will then give me some money to make a new start.

OP posts:
wishicouldseethefuture · 26/08/2014 10:54

Usually by the time he gets home we're in bed so dc don't see him drunk unless he's in earlier or just in when they're in bed and he goes in to say goodnight. The eldest has however been there when we've argued and seen him throw something in anger.

OP posts:
Quitelikely · 26/08/2014 10:55

Do you want to call time on your marriage or would you like to stay together if he could change?

If I was you I would make it clear you are ready to give up unless he changes his ways, does he actually know you're feeling this way? If not maybe you could tell him and see what his response is.

AnyFucker · 26/08/2014 10:56

Your children are seeing, and hearing, and absorbing all of it. Please do not attempt to fool yourself on that score. It's a rationalisation that many people in situations liek this make, but the adult products of relationships like this always say they knew.

AnythingNotEverything · 26/08/2014 10:56

I cannot see what this man offers you or your children.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 26/08/2014 10:57

So they have seen him drunk or violent (him throwing things in anger is classed as domestic violence) before now.

That's even more reason to plan your exit from all this, before the children think that their dad's drunken behaviour is normal. Also alcoholism can be learnt.

Do you want your children to grow up thinking all this is somehow "normal"; that this is how adults behave in relationships?.

YvyB · 26/08/2014 11:00

Is your house big enough for you and the dcs? I think you need to get some legal advice before you sell anything - one way or another you need a roof over your head and your own one might be a better bet than renting. You are now job seeking so register with the job centre (you do this online) and ask to see the lone parent advisor in your local branch. Complete the online benefits calculators to see what tax credits you are entitled to.

I know a lump of equity might seem a quick and simple solution but it puts you in rented for the long term. See what help you are entitled to first. The debts can be restructured so you can reduce them over time.

Please get some legal advice so you know exactly the best way to extricate yourself from this man and ensure that he cannot claim any more of your assets.

wishicouldseethefuture · 26/08/2014 11:02

I've been asking myself the question of whether I want to stay if he changed and the answer is I don't know - I'm pretty sure if I said yes to that it would be for the dc.

My eldest saw DH throw something in anger one morning so he wasn't drunk at the time but yes he saw it and he has seen us arguing before.

OP posts:
wishicouldseethefuture · 26/08/2014 11:04

It's not a house I own, it's a small flat and realistically isn't big enough for us (think a big studio rather than a 1 or 2 bed flat). If the sale falls through though it is an option in the short term.

OP posts:
springydaffs · 26/08/2014 18:17

Sounds like he's an alcoholic and, if so, as with all addicts, their addiction comes first - it is their first love and comes before anything and everyone.

Oh op it's all pretty crap isn't it. Perhaps give Al Anon a visit to get your head in the right space to tackle this insidious homewrecker ie alcoholism. Your kids, esp eldest, can't stay in this environment - and neither can you.

Have you seen a lawyer to get some advice on where you stand financially if you split? Also to get some tips on the best strategy. First half hour free, you get through a lot in half an hour.

BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted · 26/08/2014 18:41

Get the property sold, pay off all your debts so you can start with a clean slate. Then kick him out.

The money he's pissing away in the pub every week could have been put towards getting out of debt but being out of the house away from wife and kids and getting drunk is more important to him. This is unlikely to change. I had such a father and he didn't change. Our mother would have been a thousand times better off as a single parent in charge of her own destiny, and we kids would have been, too. I can't tell you how damaging it is to realise that you don't factor as important in the eyes of a parent. You aren't important to him and neither are your children. Your function is as a dometic appliance to serve his needs and little else.

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