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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

Am I expecting too much?

37 replies

oldandexhausted · 16/09/2014 19:46

I could really do with some opinions as to whether I am just expecting too much or whether my OH is being unfair. (particularly bearing in mind his age)

I'll apologize in advance if it is long.

There is a considerable age gap between my OH and I, I am in my early 40s and my OH is 70. We have 2 young children, both are biologically mine but were conceived using donor sperm. The first my OH agreed to, the second He now says he did not agree to. (He encouraged me to sleep with a one night stand, denies I told him I was ovulating and at 13 weeks suggested I have an abortion. I refused and at around 35 weeks asked who I was giving the baby away to.

For me my unhappiness with his behavior was brought to a head last night. I was feeling extremely ill with a nasty headache (so bad I was vomiting) and when I said I was going to bed (and for information we sleep in separate rooms and have done for several years with no intimate contact) having put both children to bed his response was, 'if you're that ill you'd better phone your mother, you're not going to put on me.' (My OH doesn't like my family, is extremely critical of them and has recently said he doesn't want them to come here.) There was no expression of concern or sympathy for me, no offers of help and this morning the same, he didn't ask how I was.

He says he feels he is an extremely good father yet never does overnights or early mornings, never has the younger child alone, will only entertain the older one for extremely limited periods, an example today was that I had a physio appointment (which he has been extremely dismissive of, telling me I'm wasting their time because I can still move around and look normal - he actually suggested I didn't bother turning up today.) He had the oldest child (4) with him at the cafe at the beach nearby while I had to take the younger (1) to my appointment.

He tells me I'm grossly overweight (9st 8 and 5'4") I stink, I'm making the whole house smell, I need to see a doctor ( I have in the past when he's said this, there's nothing wrong with me and I do wash daily) I'm neurotic, there must be something wrong with me and I need to get help. (last few incidences of this were: today objecting to him using the phone while driving - he actually said a few other rude things about my attitude to this too. A few weeks ago when I was getting agitated about making an appointment on time and another occasion when I wanted to get to the chemist to get a prescription and I rushed down 1/2 hour before they were due to close.)

He does have 2 previous wives who he describes as neurotic and the second as anorexic. I obviously only have his description as to what went wrong.

He is very critical of the state of the house mess/lack of housework/washing/ironing/dog needs a wash.

He no longer has any contact with his family/children and in every instance he blames them (although listening to what he has to say he may well be right)

We have lost contact with some friends, he suggests maybe it's me the took offence to.

If he wishes to sit in front of the TV or spend 1/2 hour in the bathroom he will, I get no such consideration.

To me his behavior seems extremely entitled and anything I say that contradicts him will be denied, minimized or turned around.

His behavior with our eldest child is concerning to me. He feels the only way to deal with it is shouting, if he has to repeat himself more than twice then he shouts and swears at the top of his voice, reducing said child to tears and often then storms from the room. He says he is out of control/rules the roost. He actually said a few weeks ago that child needs a damn good beating so that they are petrified to disobey. Our child has a habit of squealing when he doesn't get his own way.

He has threatened violence in the past but never carried it through. He also has occasional rages where he will throw things or try to smash things. Sulky silences normally follow.

I have no doubt if I were to show this to him he'd deny the lot or twist it round to my problems, maybe it is me? Maybe I just expect too much.

He obviously has good points. He does the breakfast and dinner in the evening and helps with the shopping.

I feel extremely sad and guilty to feel I may be taking the children away from him, he has expressed that he is content, he has his family around him.

Sorry it is so bitty, it's been very difficult to try to write this.

OP posts:
sugarquill · 16/09/2014 19:50

If his only good points and contribution to this family set-up is his help with the mealtimes and shopping, then I'm sorry, but a nanny does more.

I would get out - you don't owe this man anything.

ErmagerdANerknerm · 16/09/2014 19:52

I'd rather do the breakfast, dinner and shopping myself than have to live with such a man. Sorry. Those 'good' points do in no way balance out his bad.

It sounds fucking awful.

squitchey · 16/09/2014 19:53

Read your post back and weigh up the bad points (which sound horrendous) against doing the breakfast and dinner and helping with the shopping. Those aren't good points, they're just normal things normal people do without thinking.

FunkyBoldRibena · 16/09/2014 19:54

Those aren't good points! Those are the basics.

I'd just get out of there to be honest - that is no way to bring up two children.

colafrosties · 16/09/2014 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 16/09/2014 19:54

Why waste the remainder of your years living in this situation? Seriously....do you want your dcs growing up.thinking this is how a man should treat his kids and wife?

Hissy · 16/09/2014 19:55

He obviously has good points. He does the breakfast and dinner in the evening and helps with the shopping.

erm.. so would an au pair.

you're being abused. horribly, horribly abused.

he's coerced you into a one night stand and punished you for it (changing his mind/abortion)

he's threatened you. he shows you violence.

please get your children away from this man, the last thing they need to learn is how to have relationships like the way he does.

he is content only when making your life a misery. there's nothing left to your relationship, it's over.

please call woman's aid and get yourself out. I hope you can take him to the cleaners. he deserves nothing less.

CheatingSucks · 16/09/2014 20:01

He is abusive, no question about it.

If this is new behaviour then it sounds like the early signs of dementia.

YANBU but your OH is elderly (he is the same age as my grandfather!) and maybe 2 young children are too much for him to deal with.

oldandexhausted · 16/09/2014 20:34

He has other good points, just can't think of them at the moment.

He's always been like this, it's just got worse recently with him doing less and less and putting it down to age.

OP posts:
oldandexhausted · 16/09/2014 20:37

Thank you everyone for your replies. No, I don't want the children to think this is normal and I can't help but wonder if my 4 yo's behavior is in any way connected to Daddy's behavior.

OP posts:
ALittleFaith · 16/09/2014 20:54

Are you expecting too much? Erm, no! He sounds vile. It's so bad you can't even think of his good points. What's your circumstances? Do you work? Could you afford to leave?

aermingers · 16/09/2014 20:54

Get out. He's horrible.

Incidentally, my son's two grandfathers are in their 70s and they would not be capable of caring for a small child on their own for any length of time longer than a few hours. My Mum is 64 and she struggles after a day full and has to have a long lie down.

Bearing that in mind I don't think you are going to get the help you want from him and given his age this will not improve. He's a nasty man. Do you really want to get trapped into being his carer in old age when you could be spending time with your children instead? Do you want to turn into a skivy for someone who treats you like shit? The way he speaks to you divorce him and stick him in a nursing home. The rest of his wives and children seem to have already wised up to this; I don't think it's a coincidence that after you and your children have gone despite having 3 wives and multiple children there will be nobody around him to take care of him in his old age. He is reaping what he's sown.

oldandexhausted · 16/09/2014 21:23

Thank you. No, I don't work - couldn't earn enough to pay for childcare and I wouldn't get working tax credits due to a parent at home. There is no way I can afford to leave, no money and nowhere to go. I'm going to talk to WA and see what they say.

OP posts:
Hissy · 16/09/2014 21:25

my 4yo was tricky. but then his dad was abusive too.

within DAYS of the ex going, he showed signs of improvement, even if you factored in the clear distress I was going through at the terror of my controller leaving.

please, please, please leave this man, get your little ones out. it'll be the best thing you can do for them.

CheatingSucks · 16/09/2014 21:26

Good luck to you, oae. Early 40's is still YOUNG! You don't deserve to be treated in such a bad way and it's not fair on your children to experience that sort of upbringing.

Quitelikely · 16/09/2014 21:35

This relationship is quite unhealthy. I do not know what stage you're at in your head with regards to staying or going but it is not good for your children to witness this behaviour.

It's also a shame that your husband is having difficulty accepting your son. I found that arrangement very bizarre does the other guy actually know he is a father? Your son has a right to know who is father is but I suppose that's a totally different debate.

Good luck with it all

HumblePieMonster · 16/09/2014 21:43

Regardless of age, he's treating you and your children badly. See a solicitor and make a dignified exit, taking sons and significant amounts of property.

oldandexhausted · 16/09/2014 22:05

Just spoken to womens aid, not really very helpful, advised to phone the council. Won't be any sort of financial split, we're close to repossession.

OP posts:
oldandexhausted · 16/09/2014 22:06

I think I want to go but I'm scared. My eldest will miss Daddy a lot and I've got no support.

OP posts:
FelicityGubbins · 16/09/2014 22:10

have you looked on entitled to?

Hissy · 16/09/2014 22:59

trust me, they won't miss the grumpy daddy, it's a relief to live freely, to be able to make noise, laugh, play. he'll be better than fine.

you need to look at getting the council to advise on housing etc

LadyFairfaxSake · 16/09/2014 23:09

Leave him, he's a controlling, abusive cunt. He won't change now, get away from him. Good luck.

HansieLove · 16/09/2014 23:34

Think how free you would be without him.

hoobygalooby · 16/09/2014 23:49

So phone the council and ask if they have any emergency accommodation. Go to the CAB and the benefits office and sign up for as much as you can.
Don't give up - you need to get away from this man before he destroys you and your dc!

ISAYwhatIMEANnMEANwhatISAY · 17/09/2014 00:10

Leave him. And when you do, take some time and dig a hole & ever so carefully lay a coffin next to it. Surely he hasn't got much longer anyway....