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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

What do you make of this?

38 replies

isthismylifenow · 07/09/2015 08:54

I don't have anyone to discuss this with irl. So I wonder if you wouldn't mind reading through this long essay, and let me know if I am being petty, unreasonable, clingy and any of those things. I just don't know anymore:

My dh and I will be married 20 years soon. He works away a lot. I spend an awful lot of time alone. Lately he has been away over weekends too, or leaves for a trip on a Sunday morning, saying that its better so that he is ready to do whatever in the place first thing Monday morning.

Things haven't been good for a while now. I also think that he goes on trips that are unnecessary sometimes because he gets "cabin fever", We have two teenage dc, things can be difficult sometimes as most parents of teens experience I am sure.

When he is away, he lives the life of riley. Eating out, socializing, going to bed late. When he is home, he is in bed asleep by 8pm every night. Its like he doesn't even want to be here. He came back from a trip on Thursday afternoon. He wasn't even home half and hour and he had taken his motorbike out the garage and said he is going for a ride. No invite to come along, so he buggered off for an hour on the bike, I hadn't seen him for a week. Came back, ate, chatted to kids a while then went to bed. He is tired, I must understand that its tiring being away...... Well of course its tiring when you are out drinking every night and partying the night away.....

But there is one thing that I just cannot get past. We went on holiday a couple of years back to a tiny town which is on the coast. We had such a nice time and while we were there, we found a piece of land for sale, which we ended up buying. Our plan for the land is to build a house there, for now for holidays but eventually the house we will eventually retire to. We live in the city now, and its always something we have dreamed of. The land next door to this was also bought recently and the owners of the neighbouring land have started to build their house. The land is about 7 hours drive from where we currently live. Dh said that when he goes on his next trip to that area he will go there to see what they are doing so that we can start drawing up our plans. He goes to this area quite often, about every 2nd month or so. Sometimes more. He had to do to that area, and had to take one of the women from the office with him (still don't understand why but I get told nothing). The plan was to take a drive to land, have a look then they would go stay in a hotel in the town about an hour away that night. Of course, that didn't happen. He and she stayed in that town that night, in one chalet that had two bedrooms. The chalet we spent our holiday in! He swears blind that nothing happened between them. This already is a problem for me as who knows if something happened.... but the whole thing that is bothering me, is that that place is OUR place, MY place. I have been nowhere this year on a holiday or a trip, and I asked dh if there was anywhere that we could go during the year is to this place during July, as the whales come in there and its the one thing that I wanted to see. I wanted to see the whales in my special place. Of course I didn't get to go, but guess when they went. In July when he knew that was the only one thing I wanted to do this year. And she is the one that went with him to OUR land, and saw what the neighbours are doing, and i guess that they were all chatty about what and how we should build etc etc.... He even send me pictures of it, and of the beach. Pity that the photo he took had two people in the shadow then, him and her...... He says nothing happened, it was a business trip and it was convenient to go then whilst he was down there.

He went away again this morning. His trip was planned on Friday, but I was only told last night as an aside.... he was sitting on the couch and said "oh i better go pack" I said "pack for what, where are you going?" to which he shouts at me as reckons he told me and I never listen. He did not tell me, i think that if he had i would have remember since it was only booked on Friday.

I have written a letter to him this morning. I am tempted to email it to him. In the letter I have asked him to move out. I cant talk to him. If i do he will storm out, shout and me and blame me for everything, the only thing he can ever reply is 'WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT!!" I cant take it anymore. Gets a high flying job in which I sacrificed mine in order for him to get it and now its seems i am no longer good enough. In the letter I have told him to do whatever he pleases for the new house on the land. I have no feelings for that place anymore. He has taken that from me by taking someone else to MY place. It isn't special anymore to me now. I don't care anymore. I feel like I am going mad. I am strong normally. I am not this person that sits in front on a computer sobbing crying and with no-one to talk to.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/09/2015 09:00

He is completely detached from your marriage. You don't have a marriage any more. I am sorry.

Penfold007 · 07/09/2015 09:09

AF, sadly, is spot on. At least you know who the OW is

isthismylifenow · 07/09/2015 09:13

Do you think I should email the letter to him today? Or wait till he gets back later this week and give it to him.

Not sure if she is the OW. I have suspicions of another one actually. Perhaps its both. Actually I don't even care. I am numb anyway....

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/09/2015 09:15

Don't email him, email a solicitor and start bringing this sham of a partnership to a close.

hellsbellsmelons · 07/09/2015 09:17

Write the letter, get all your feelings down on paper.
But don't send it just yet.
Get a free half hour appointment with a solicitor and see where you stand with regards to assets etc..
Have a chat with CAB and see what benefits you would be entitled to should you become a single a parent.
Get any financial information you can. What he earns, bonuses, pensions, assets etc.... and get your ducks in a row.

AF is spot on (as always). He checked out some time agao.
I would bet money on her being the OW.

Get informed and then tackle him.

Guiltypleasures001 · 07/09/2015 09:19

Hi op

Sorry your in such a tizz,

I think though there is something to keeping your powder dry, I wouldn't send that letter or anything like it.

He isn't there so why bother asking him to move out, ide get all my ducks in a row. You have got time on your own as you say to hunt down all the paper work you need and get some good legal advise. He isn't hiding the fact he's shagging around, and he's probably surprised you haven't asked before now or made a move legally.

I wonder how much he is doing behind the scenes in ensuring his and other woman's finances and future etc, maybe at the detriment to you.

I think he's planning everything quietly then going to give you no notice and just leave. In the meantime ide quietly scupper his plan to have all the control and make plans if your own. Check all legals and make sure that land is in joint names etc.

Good luck op take back the control

Jw35 · 07/09/2015 09:21

I'm so sorry, I think he's detached too Sad however I wouldn't send a letter or bring up the other woman as it just becomes the scapegoat for what's really wrong which is the fact he doesn't pay you enough attention or seem to care.
If you accuse him of having an affair he can play the winded victim of your paranoid delusions (even if they're not delusions).
I wouldn't write anything down that he can then show to whoever he likes and justify his outrage at the accusation. Instead simply tell him it's over and walk away. Let him figure it all out, give him nothing! Hugs Flowers

Dowser · 07/09/2015 09:26

I agree with all the above posters. That's no way to live when you are in a relationship with someone.

He's using your house like a hotel.

So sorry to hear that. Ive been there. It hurts but there's a much better life waiting for you onthe other side.

Say nothing until you've got all the financial documents sorted.

The best form of revenge is living well ;-)

isthismylifenow · 07/09/2015 09:32

You see, this is the whole thing. I deal with all our finances. He doesn't even know the internet banking password. I don't think that he is putting funds away or anything like that. Every transaction he makes from his own account i get a message to my phone. He has a work card though, but that is strictly monitored.

We had a really nice time on Saturday night with friends, we were out and he was like his old self.

I haven't even mentioned a OW in the letter. I have asked him numerous times if he is/was/has been seeing someone. Denies it every time. Our house we live in is in both our names as is the land we bought. I honestly want nothing to do with that bit of land anymore. I do not want to move from our house, I need the dc to be as little disrupted as possible. One of dc is having major issues as the moment, she knows something is not right and it is affecting her.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/09/2015 09:37

You would not be forced from your house. As primary carer for the dc's, you would stay and he would make alternative arrangements.

Pixiemixie · 07/09/2015 09:39

Sorry to hear he is being such a dick. Echoing pps on here, please get some advice from a solicitor. Take evidence of all joint and individual assets eg house/ land equity, savings accounts, any debt, pensions, etc, and see how you would be financially if you were to split. This may help you to feel you are doing something. I know you are distressed, but taking some control may help you. Flowers

ImperialBlether · 07/09/2015 09:43

Please don't think that he might be limiting himself to one girlfriend. It does sound like he checked out but the good thing is that if you tell him to leave altogether, you won't actually notice the difference.

Get a really good solicitor and tell him it's over. You'll be so much happier if you do.

isthismylifenow · 07/09/2015 10:13

You'll be so much happier if you do. You won't actually notice the difference.

Thank you. Sometimes what is obvious to someone else really isn't when you are inside the bubble.

Actually, things are much better at home when he is away. The dc aren't walking on eggshells around him and me too. He was my first boyfriend whom I married. I just feel like a silly little girl who knows no different. Bet you wouldn't believe that I really am not, I am quite bright and run my own business. Yip, that feels quite good to say that. I am going to take control and stand on my own two feet. I am fed up of being a doormat.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/09/2015 10:22

I totally believe that you are strong enough to take the control back. Like someone said, what actual difference would ending this farce make ?

However, you would no longer be the little wife at home washing his clothes and keeping the home fires burning while he pursues he real life elsewhere

You and the kids are just a convenience to him. A bolthole, a port, a cushty place to rest his head until his next adventure

Don't be that woman

isthismylifenow · 07/09/2015 10:33

Thanks AF. You make total sense.

OP posts:
simonettavespucci · 07/09/2015 10:39

Another one saying leave. He's already left. You will be much happier without him.

You sound very competent and on top of things and will doubtless be living a much better life in the near future. Sort out the finances, see a solicitor and then go.

I'm sorry about the land. Whales!!! But at least that one very emotive thing has alerted you to the general way in which he is treating you badly.

Also, STD clinic! (sorry).

isthismylifenow · 09/09/2015 07:18

Hi everyone.

A couple of days down from my first post now, he gets back tonight but we have discussed this. He called my phone, dd answered, had a brief chat then handed the phone to me through the bathroom door while I was in the bath, of course I was like a blubbering idiot at the time, and of course he picked up on this over the phone.

So, this is where we are at now. He says that we haven't been like a married couple for years now, and are more like friends and he thinks to save me any more pain, he should move out. What a cop out hey.... He also continued on about our sex life, which has been non-existent lately not through my choice, I am always the one to instigate lately and says that he know he doesn't do it for me, as I need er, some assistance to orgasm. He claims that isn't normal, well hey, who am I to argue that, it seems that he is the master now on knowing these things. Of course that makes me feel like a complete and utter freak, as it seems I am the only woman in the whole world who uses a vibrator during sex. Oh, and he still says that there has been no-one else. He just doesn't want sex anymore coz he is stressed from work, and as he knows he doesn't do it for me blah blah blah.........

I know its over. But I am finding it hard to face all the things that I need to. And lets face it, it is me that is going to be worse off here, and it is me who is going to deal with all the 'stuff' that needs to be dealt with. Finances are a problem. I cannot support myself, I do have a business but recently I admit to not being 100% focussed on it, and times are very hard in our business at the moment, so it isn't flourishing. In fact I just had to make one of my staff redundant recently. Of course that is playing on my mind too, he is threatening suicide and is harassing me as he cant get a new job. Just another stress. I am not in UK, so things are different here. There is no 'back up' from government for situations like this. Basically, he is still going to have to support us for now, and support himself in his new place wherever that will be.

I don't know how to tell the dc. Because its me who is going to pick up the pieces there too. My dd has been going through a tough time. Last week I had to collect her from school as she had cut herself purposely after being reprimanded for something so trivial. How the fuck is she going to react to this now. She is a complete daddys girl and idolises him.

We have put a deposit down for a cruise to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. What a fucking joke!

I thought I was strong, seems I really am not. I think I am probably depressed. I don't want to go and get medication for it, I did once before and I didn't like being on them.

I don't even have any friends here that I can talk to about this. Isn't it sad that I get more advise and help from a bunch of strangers on the internet which I thank you for btw I thought I would be angry, I am not angry. As things are today, if he said things will change, I would re-consider. I just don't think I have the strength to get through this right now...... How fucking pathetic am I.

OP posts:
DrMorbius · 09/09/2015 07:57

You are not pathetic at all, far from it. You have been trying to hold a marriage together, that one partner has already left. You are running a business in very trying times. Stop taking the blame. Stop taking the blame, for your marriage, for the economy, for your sexual requirments (btw plenty of women need additonal stimulation).

First thing is see as solicitor and get an understanding of your legal situation (not sure of the rules in your country, but you need to know where you stand).

Second don't take on the reponsibility for everything. Get your DH to sit down with you and you both explain to DD that you have mutually decided to seperate etc etc. Obviously things will be easier if you and your DH can stay civil during any subsequent split. Therefore you may have to ignore any jibes him laying the blame at your door. Like the sex issue, thats just him trying to lay the blame elsewhere.

Personally FWIW I do believe at some point you will find out that he has been seing others. But that is not the issue for now perhaps.

Fear of the future is common when such a massive thing has happened. You will get over that Flowers

Learningtoletgo · 09/09/2015 08:39

Isthis you are not weak by any means. It's horrible now but change is always uncomfortable. This is the start of a more settled and positive life for you and your kids.

The sex life stuff is just his excuse for trying to push it onto you. I'm sorry to say reading this I'm 99% sure there is another woman and he is using all this crappie to give him an excuse to leave. She'll pop out if the woodwork eventually but in the meantime you need a plan.

Get yourself to a solicitor and start getting a head start on him. Find out your rights and look at this from a position of strength.

Your business can be rebuilt and your children will be more settled without him coming and going.

Clich?? I know but it's always darkest before the dawn.

Learningtoletgo · 09/09/2015 08:41

That should have clich?? and I'm not sure where crappie came from but he is definitely it Grin

AnyFucker · 09/09/2015 09:17

Good advice from DrM there, I echo that.

FWIW, many women do not orgasm from penetrative sex alone and some blokes are crap at learning what makes women tick in that dept. This bloke sounds like one if those...the inadequacy is his, not yours.

You sound so down, love. If you take steps to control the situation though, things can only get better Flowers

isthismylifenow · 09/09/2015 09:40

Thank you everyone.

I have never slept with another man. How pathetic is that too. I don't know any different than the sex life we had. I see now that me trying to make it all exciting and endless blow jobs was all in vain. He clearly has made other women orgasm otherwise how could he say that.

Maybe I should head for the doctor and get something. But its coming off of medication that worries me.

Its not like it is even going to be a clean break. Although we don't work together, our businesses are very interlinked. I have to deal with him (and the suspected ow) for work reasons.

OP posts:
DrMorbius · 09/09/2015 10:09

isthismylifenow the word pathetic is now temporarily banned from your vocabulary unless referring to your DH.

Why is it pathetic to have one partner? 1 or a 100, it's what works for you that counts. Sadly it seems your one partner (so far) turned out to be a knob.

Here is a thought..perhaps it was your DH who was crap in bed. Did he try to make it all exciting for you?

Don't measure your life against your DH's sexual urges. Its time to take stock, learn who you are again and make a new better life.

Hopefully (from they way you described your marriage) adjusting to your new life will not be such a huge upheaval.

Shameandregret · 09/09/2015 10:29

It sounds as though you are letting his messages get to you. This is not your fault. You are not defective or not enough, this is about his shortcomings and fuckwittery. It's him, not you.

He is not your friend now, you may have children and a 20 year history together but he will not be thinking about that, he will be thinking about himself. You should think about and protect yourself. Don't offer him the respect that he clearly doesn't have for you. Easier said than done but I've been in an unequal marriage (dv for me) and you will get there.

123Jump · 09/09/2015 10:39

FWIW OP, myself, and an awful lot of women I know have and use vibrators. As we got older we found we needed a bit of help. My DH loves it!
Your stbxhis obvious;y the crap shag, not you! Remember that. One day you can remind him of that.
Sounds like you have been unhappy for a long time, and now it is time to find a new and better life.