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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:
theansweris42 · 30/08/2016 21:17

Thank you naice, that's a nice post .
Fantastic thank you too.
Attila I think it might be sinking in. Part of my issue has been that I should have known all this and not married!
I am reading and thinking and I am referring self for counselling. Will also see, after move, if can afford some sessions.
As I say, the truths I am seeing about myself as well are bruising.
All the support is really important to me.
I've emailed the agent for this house. I've applied for the new house.

OP posts:
Naicehamshop · 30/08/2016 23:12

Keep going 42 - you are doing so well. Flowers

Memoires · 30/08/2016 23:14
Flowers

You're doing so well. KOKO.

theansweris42 · 31/08/2016 20:29

Notice is done.
Move day end Sept.
I'll be doing everything alone again.
This is haaaard.
H doesn't seem to be all that bothered.
I guess he's sad but I keep thinking about that "relieved" comment.
He's put drinking before me and the boys that's so certain.

OP posts:
whywonthedgehogssharethehedge · 31/08/2016 20:42

This breaks my heart. He won't seek help, he has had many chances too but he hasn't done it. You need to get out.

Naicehamshop · 31/08/2016 20:43

You are doing the right thing 42. Stay strong.

theansweris42 · 31/08/2016 21:01

hedgehogs thanks for posting. It's interesting to know how an impartial person reads it. I do feel bloody heartbroken.
naice thank you again, here's some Flowers for you for being so lovely

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 31/08/2016 21:03

I have an earworm form Paul Simon's Graceland
"losing love is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow"
If anyone has a more angry earworm offering please post!

OP posts:
mumndad37 · 31/08/2016 21:10

Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive"

theansweris42 · 31/08/2016 21:13

Arf Smile

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 02/09/2016 15:36

Oh sad sad so sad.
Why did he marry me? Don't know if it was all lies or he's just ineffectual/lazy/selfish.
I suppose this is grief Sad

OP posts:
Lilacpink40 · 02/09/2016 15:50

It is grief. Better to be honest and go with it then pretend you don't care and break inside.

At times when you feel ok try stopping and treasuring the time. Even small things like watching something funny with DCs and laughing. The better times will get longer.

My STBXH was very mean but I loved him and desperately wanted things to get better. Now I feel better that I don't have to feel downtrodden all the time. Weirdly there are still moments that I miss him, then I remember that we're not separated through circumstance (e.g. death), he was horrible and then he chose to go off with OW.

Your H chose alcohol, you didn't force it down his throat.

Onwards and upwards Flowers

theansweris42 · 02/09/2016 18:37

Thank you lilac.
We're still in the same house and it's awful.
He's detaching, this makes me feel terrible not just for self but DC also.
He says he's sad and still loves me but as I've given notice on the house (we'd agreed the arguing could not go on and that things would not improve until drinking addressed and he said he was relieved) that this means "we're fucked".

Then he's off out with his mate, just as a single bloke without stepsons would.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 02/09/2016 18:44

I'm surprised that I've struggled today jot to cry in front of DC. They know I am sad.
This'll get easier will it when not in same house?
It's so different to when I left DC Dad who had been so E and F abusive that I knew I was right and must escape.
I was very sad about what could/should have been and hurt by the abuse but I didn't love the ex.
This is different.

OP posts:
yesisaidyes · 02/09/2016 18:47

To be blunt, but meant with absolute kindness OP, you have married an alcoholic and until he addresses his drinking, you are unlikely to be able to resolve any of the issues in your relationship. Addressing his drinking is his responsibility and he will only do it when he acknowledges it is a problem and wants help, neither of which appear to be the case. I am sorry OP and hope things ultimately are happier for you down the road. You cannot cannot cannot fix this for him. Flowers

theansweris42 · 02/09/2016 19:20

You're right yes that he has to recognise it and want help. I just need to wrap my head round it being over.

OP posts:
yesisaidyes · 02/09/2016 20:30

It must be terribly terribly sad for you and my heart goes out to you xx

theansweris42 · 04/09/2016 22:09

lilac I thank you again for your words, I've been doing as you suggested and trying to focus when I feel OK and enjoy that time and remember those moments will increase, slowly and gradually.
Friday was a hard day, Sat and Sun still sad, but not so distressed. So, it is do-able.

OP posts:
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