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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

should I send H this email? unsure of self (again)

268 replies

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 14:11

I've posted before about my H of six months. Things haven't gone as hoped. I have 2DC who love him to bits.

We have some key issues and I try to address them but in truth they are his issues - drinking and porn/not wanting sex.
And we argue about it.
Or I try to address and he ignores emails or says he won't talk.
Sometimes he does talk.
He says I am pushing and pushing and not leaving it alone and that the curent problems are down to me.

I am at the end now and have said so, but cowardice and low self esteem mean I find it so hard to just stick to it and "be the bad guy" and all his friends hating me and so on. And only married in Jan!
I know it's pathetic.

He's cried and asked me to go to Relate. We have an appontment this week.
I've confided in a couple of friends and they say go so that he can't say you didn't try.
I think I am looking for his agreement to end it Confused
Anyway we've had a discussion again this morning and he doesn't, to me, appear to be taking responsibility and I have drafted this - shall I send it??

Dear Mr42,

Before we moved in together, we agreed that one or two nights a week with no booze to be together was what we'd do so that we could strengthen our relationship and also it might help the sex life.

We agreed drinking in front of the boys to be kept to maybe once a week at pub tea etc. These two seemed to be OK for a while but since our wedding they haven't happened.

You also said you wanted to drink less and you've done that and although it is at a level very damaging for your health , I know you have made a lot of effort with the intake.

On many but not all dry nights (when it's not an early shift so in bed at 8) you tell me you feel anxious and you appear down.
Dry nights have diminished since wedding.

These are facts.

In discussion/argument you make excuses or seem to try to get away from the facts saying for example: "Well if I do a dry night you tell me I'm fucking miserable " as if I am being unreasonable, when it is a fact, you DO look miserable and you say yourself that you're anxious. I have never said that to you at the time, just tried to distract you or be there for you.

You also said you don't do dry nights because I am not supportive, but even if that were true, it's another excuse.
You feel there's "nothing you can say" to make me happy, implying that I have unilaterally decided on the above and demanded that you stick to it.

What we agreed hasn't panned out.

IMHO this is because you have an alcohol problem which persists despite your success in reducing your unit intake.

You appear compelled to put drinking before your health, our relationship and the commitment you made to be a parent to the boys.
Not always, but too much of the time.
You say you're trying but you won't get help.

The nasty words when you're drunk and the accusing me of lying to hurt your feelings and then lying to cover it up - you are saying is my fault. You slagged me off in my own house when the boys could hear some of it. Not OK.

You said you would book a counselling appointment. Now you won't, and it seems you weren't going to tell me that.

You're also now saying the no sex is my fault for being sad and "the atmosphere". That might be true now, as we have the impasse as described above.

But, from the start of our relationship you've been reluctant and say that you have not been able to think of why, saying you do want a sex life, even if your actions say something different - you have turned down kisses and my initiating sex a lot of times.

I think you prefer going solo and aren't admitting it.

We have slept in separate rooms from just a few weeks after we married - with a reason, but one that's not been investigated. I miss you and want to sleep curled up with you but given that you don't come in to me (apart from a couple of times) or work on the snoring, it appears that you're OK with the separate rooms. I have tried to come in to you but as I told you when we moved the rooms, it is hard for me to do that because I get rejected.
Last time I came in for a cuddle you actually pushed me out.

Well it is not words but change in behaviour that is needed.
I have tried and tried and tried, to talk, to not talk and give you time (which you have thanked me for, but now is forgotten) to email to give you chance to think.

I sometimes ask you to delay drinking for a while and it's a "no".
I got a book for us to read you didn't.
You said you'd plan the dry nights and other things the counsellor you went to once suggested but you haven't.

I've tried initiating intimacy and not initiating, I've tried underwear and waiting for the right moment. I've tried to understand about you liking it only when showered...I've masturbated you cos you like it even though that doesn't include me.

I have grown sadder and sometimes cross and then the problems have been blamed on me as if it'd all go away if I were nicer.

I thought I was nice and that you thought I was nice.
I am now uncomfortable around you because you're angry and blaming me.

If you do feel I am unreasonable and unpleasant I would question why you married me?

I am fucking fed up. There's promises been broken and I am now suffering acute anxiety I think, unless my arms and legs are really broken.

I am always ready to try and to take on 50% responsibility, are you? As that would look like going for help, planning the dry nights etc....

My expectations are - what we agreed about drinking or at least you getting help towards it, being treated with respect not nasty words or accused of things and a loving intimate life with my husband.

Can you be clear about what you want and what you're going to do about it?
If the answer is "nothing more" could you be honest about that?
You can have expectations of me/the relationship as well.

If these expectations of mine aren't acceptable and aren't going to happen, YOU SHOULD SAY SO.

If you still want to go to counselling we can do and that's partly why I've set this out here to help me be clear about my point of view.

If you choose not to reply again, I will assume you don't want to go into all this anymore at all

OP posts:
FantasticButtocks · 27/08/2016 12:01

Well done Flowers

itisi · 27/08/2016 12:22

I think don't send it. It's too long and best saved to be stated as conversation with your counsellor there to mediate. He will shut down and see it as a massive list of criticisms. At least I know my own generally reasonable husband would. I do remember Davina McCall talking about her marriage counselling and after the first session both her and her husband said Wow! They didn't realise there was so much they hadn't got off their chests! Another thing that puts me off the email is that it slightly reminds me of the letter Rachel sent Ross in Friends after they had reconciled at the beach house. (He fell asleep). Sorry op. I do mean that in a lighthearted way! But men do just back away from pressure. A huge email will seem like that and not get the attention you or it deserves. X

itisi · 27/08/2016 12:28

Apologies! I'm new to this and only saw your original couple of posts. I realise so much more has been said since the original email question!! Confused

theansweris42 · 27/08/2016 13:30

No worries itisi and thank you fantastic

OP posts:
Naicehamshop · 27/08/2016 17:51

You are doing really well OP - keep going and stay strong. Flowers

Horsegirl1 · 27/08/2016 19:45

That email is brilliant and I'd send it like that. It details everything and will hopefully make him think. Good luck

theansweris42 · 28/08/2016 17:38

Just typing thoughts out. Just so terribly sad.
H can be so lovely.
But things have been so bad.
Keep wondering is it me, should I have handled things differently. Or something.
Don't even know what or how.
Only married in Jan, and the DC love him.
I feel angry with him as well and that he's cheated me by basically only caring about himself.
I'm not going back, I'm venting here instead of any thing being said in rl.
I'm seeing a lot about myself as well and it's bruising. Posting here to help manage the emotions.
Most of all, I hope I can mitigate the harm to DC.

OP posts:
Naicehamshop · 28/08/2016 19:48

Keep posting here - we are listening OP.Flowers

theansweris42 · 28/08/2016 20:27

Thanks naice it is a massive help knowing that Sad

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 08:26

Having a wobble.
I asked if he'd do this (didn't say it would change anything, just if he would) and he said yes.

Start on drinking tomorrow. Phone helplines, read websites, make appts, not just GP which will take poss months to come through.
3 dry nights every week. One of which spent with me not in bed or at work.
At least once a week some sort of sexual contact. Sometimes accept my instigation.
Give active thought and reflections to why you feel attacked, defend by attacking & are negative about me and cruel in words.
Offer your thoughts and suggestions on how to improve things.
Only do the phone game when no-one is with you.
Stick to what you said about not vaping with the boys.

But when I read this.back, I think it seems even worse!
And it isn't even all the issues.
But he said he would do those things, so am I unreasonable to continue with new house?
I think he'll fail though and I'll be hurt again.
I'm an idiot Sad and also Blush

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 08:33

I feel so sad.
But think sad about what might have been, if he wasn't so crap, rather than the reality.

OP posts:
SoHereItIs2016 · 30/08/2016 08:42

Feel for you OP.

Leave now whilst you still have some degree of affection/ concern towards him. If you stay he will drag you deeper and deeper into his own despair.

My Mum left My Dad due to his alcoholism ( and other factions- but that w the primary issue) in 1980. He didn't get Dry until 1995!!! Yes that was another 15 years slowly deteriorating mental and physical health and damage to the people who acted about him. He only stopped when he reached his own personal rock bottom, which was being told by the liver specialist he would only have 6 months to live. On top of this his 'enabler'( I hate that word!!) my lovely Grandma finally kicked him to the kerb.

You will never every win where alcohol is concerned. Cut your losses now, it will be so much better for you DC.

theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 08:47

Thanks sohereitis for your post.
I do still care but I've been saying to him better do this now than end up hating each other.
He said hed do those things bit (1) he's not managed before and (2) why does ot have to come from me!

OP posts:
SoHereItIs2016 · 30/08/2016 08:54

It doesn't matter what you do or say, this is a fundamental truth you have to accept. There is absolutely nothing you can do to make this better because the problem isn't you, it never was and never has been.

Reading you letter the whole thing just screams I've and over that the root cause of all this is his alcohol addiction.

If you stay with him you need to accept he may never be able to give up the drink- if he is drinking at the levels you imply in your letter and posts, then he is likely to delve lop the physical and mental effects of this which will be extremely unpleasant for both you and your DC to bear witness to, he may develop tremors, memory and balance problem, swollen veins in his throat which are liable to burst and bleed, vomiting, weight loss, depression, psychosis, liver failure, etc etc etc.......you need to accept this is the life you will be living.

Please get your DC to a 'safe distance' and make yourself the best strongest parent you can possibly be.

theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 08:57

Wow. Thanks.
He's reduced the units, some weeks.
But I know his health will suffer.
Already is.

OP posts:
SoHereItIs2016 · 30/08/2016 08:59

Sorry if I was too blunt Flowers

SoHereItIs2016 · 30/08/2016 09:08

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually come on between about 3 and 8 hours after that's drink, many people will have a variety of symptoms but feeling anxious/ agitated and just generally awful is classic. Some people have more serious withdrawal effects such as fitting if they abstain for more than a day or two, and for this reason your Dp would be much better of going to have an assessment with an alcohol service so that they can determine how likely that he may need additional support in reducing or weaning off alcohol.

Again you can't make him do this but you may feel better about leaving if you provide him with some sources of support he can use if/ when he is ready.

theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 09:20

not too blunt thank you.
he's reduced and chnaged to gin from wine (!) so it looks less awful (he doesn't seem as drunk each time) it is still too much.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 16:12

OK I've come to. Remembered he's said yes he will try many times before about various hugs and not done it.
He said he's relieved about moving into separate properties.
So that's another piece of the puzzle Sad

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 16:13

Various issues not various hugs!

OP posts:
Iamthinking · 30/08/2016 16:58

Moving doesn't stop you having a relationship in the future if he is sincere.

theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 17:21

Thanks Iamthinking, that's true.
I think part of my sadness is I think he won't want to Sad

OP posts:
Naicehamshop · 30/08/2016 19:20

Really feel for you 42 and your sad and thoughtful posts. I wish I had more advice to give you but I'm not an expert on these things. I'm sure it must be incredibly difficult for you to walk away from your DH but please put yourself and your DC first.

FantasticButtocks · 30/08/2016 19:28
Flowers
AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/08/2016 19:28

"I think part of my sadness is I think he won't want to sad"

But again 42, that is not of your doing here. You are not responsible for him ultimately, he is.

Sohereitis2016 is bang on when she writes this:-
"It doesn't matter what you do or say, this is a fundamental truth you have to accept. There is absolutely nothing you can do to make this better because the problem isn't you, it never was and never has been".

The 3cs that is alcoholism:-
You did not cause it
You cannot control it
You cannot cure it

Do work on your co-dependency issues as well, you are still very much co-dependent.

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