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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 getting any easier

8 replies

sarsiem · 26/08/2015 08:35

I have posted about my relationship previously. H is an angry man and everything that goes wrong in his life is somehow my fault. He had an EA which he eventually told me about in May. That was my fault because if I had been a better wife it wouldn't have happened. I begged him for a trial separation which he finally agreed to in mid July. He was gone for two weeks but visited every day ( to see our daughters ) and would leave at around 10 pm to sleep elsewhere. Since May I have been in the depths of despair. I am feeling slightly stronger now because of the time that has passed since I found out about his affair. I told my daughters about the trial separation at the beginning of the school holidays. They were devastated.
We had a caravan holiday booked which I cancelled as I couldn't bear the thought of sleeping in the caravan with H. I took our girls away for five nights for a short break. He insisted that he wanted to take them away as well despite my plea to reconsider as I felt it too soon to go away in the caravan without me there. I think he thought right up to the last minute that I would change my mind and go with them. Neither of my dd's wanted to go. They both left in tears and I had texts whilst they were away begging to come home. H appeared oblivious to this. It was an awful week for me as I was alone at home missing them. They are home now. My youngest dd had a ear infection just before she left and was on antib's. She was exhausted when she got home and isn't herself now. I am so worried about them both.
H decided he was moving back in in late July as he said it was obvious I had made a decision and I didn't need anymore space and suggested I move out if I did need more space. When he returned from the holiday he got very angry and kept following me around saying we need to talk and he had decided to move back into our bedroom. I kept asking him to leave me alone and that when I was ready to talk I would.
I rang my dad in tears who spoke to H at length and told him it wouldn't be a good plan to move back into the bedroom as it would be further evidence of unreasonable behaviour.
The relationship is over for me. I can see no way back from this. I feel like I have made a mess of mine and my children's lives.
I have seen a solicitor twice who charges £200 an hour and bills monthly. I can't afford this. Solicitor advised me not to move out as H's job is a bit unstable ( he was sacked twice in 2014) and if H lost his new job then I would be liable for bills in the family home. I don't know how much longer I can go on living like this though. On Sunday a friend called in as H was out and we sat chatting in the garden. H returned, made himself a coffee and joined us. My friend told me afterwards that she couldn't believe it. He is just carrying on as normal as if this isn't happening.
So I don't know what to do next. Do I go ahead and file for divorce? Shall I try and find another solicitor who will be paid once finances are settled? Help!

OP posts:
HawkEyeTheNoo · 26/08/2015 08:42

I'm so sorry to read this Hmm can you try CAB for some free advice? You haven't made a mess of anything, he has. He sounds horrible, and I'm speaking from experience here, your DC will thank you in the long run that they don't have to be in a family where they can see their mother is being ground down. Stay strong

Pickedmypoison · 26/08/2015 08:58

Definitely start divorce proceedings ASAP. He doesn't seem to be taking you seriously.

The advice re leaving is good - however hard, don't leave at the moment.

Where was he sleeping when he was leaving the house at 10 and why can't he do that any more? He really needs to move out although I don't believe you can make him in your circumstances.

What advice did you get re the house on divorce? Would it be sold/could you buy him out?

Divorce is so messy isn't it? I regret not starting divorce proceedings straight away as mine was tricky and went on for some time and I had the moving back in too.

summerwinterton · 26/08/2015 09:05

please don't have him coming over to the house every day for visiting. Normal contact is every other weekend and you do doorstep handovers. He isn't with you so doesn't come in and out of your home as he fancies.

summerwinterton · 26/08/2015 09:09

sorry - I didn't read properly. Is the house owned or rented? I would find another solicitor if you aren't happy with current one.

And btw - his EA - it was purely his fault. How bloody dare he blame it on you. The man is in denial and when you finish it properly prepare for him to get mean and manipulative.

Wando · 26/08/2015 14:49

It is not your fault. It was his EA not yours. You do though have to address why it happened and it's likely that both of you need to think about your relationship and what works and what doesn't.

CharlotteCollins · 26/08/2015 15:04

Definitely go ahead with divorce: that way you know you are moving forward which will help you to keep going in these difficult circumstances. And you know you have someone fighting your corner. Have you asked your solicitor if he/she would take payment or if the settlement at the end? Or if there's any other flexibility to help with affordability? You could ask local WA to help with finding a good solicitor that you can afford. My EA XH really dragged his heels through the whole process, which helpfully spread out the payments! Grin

The holiday with the DDs sounds a disaster. Contact with him is for their benefit, not his: so next time he needs to suggest something the DDs are happy to do. If not, don't make them go. If they are about 9+ then they get a lot of say in the level of contact they have with their NRP, but tbh I listen to my younger DCs too and let myself be guided by them.

CharlotteCollins · 26/08/2015 15:05

"Out of" not "or if", sorry.

Wando · 26/08/2015 22:50

I agree you should as far as possible put your foot down re what the children want to do. He is their father and the kids aren't there to entertain him.

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