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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 · 03/08/2016 15:22

The things he says, the 'reasoning', the justification, the trying to sound like it's all under control - sound just like my dear father.

He was an alcoholic, he never faced it, he died young (though not sure how much that was alcohol related as he also smoked and had diabetes.) A lovely man in so many ways, funny, warm, witty and intelligent, if a tad overbearing, but totally dependant on drink and quite cross (and dismissive) if anyone wanted to talk to him about it. He did get ambushed once and went for a residential rehab few weeks, didn't drink for five months or so, then fell off the wagon and never looked back.

Those five months he was great to be around, really good company, but he can't have felt great in himself I guess. My stepmother's life was hell those last few years. The point I'm making is that the conversations you're trying to have with him are, I'm afraid, pointless. He will say whatever he has to say to get you off his back and to be able to continue drinking. If I recall, he's even actually said he doesn't want to stop! He's nowhere near even wanting to sort this. Don't waste your time x

MiscellaneousAssortment · 03/08/2016 15:28

He's asking you to 'be happy with who he is', which means:

  • be happy he's an alcoholic who will do and say ANYTHING to protect his right to be an alcoholic
  • be happy to be always second in the relationship (alcohol being first)
  • be happy with living life without affection, respect and self esteem
  • be happy to support him in living like this, and treating you like this, and join with him in protecting his right to be a self obsessed bastard...

So If you prop up his lifestyle and leave him free to drink by accepting that you deserve no love or kindness, and putting on a front to the rest of the world that he's not really an alcoholic, just a social drinker (blah blah blah) ... Then he'll, what? Love you? Be kind to you? And not damage you or your children?

Except he won't though will he? What he's saying is, you are making his life uncomfortable as you won't just shut the fuck up and get in line behind a long list of him him him him him, and alcohol. He's saying he will be happy if you accept wholly and without criticism that he loves alcohol and you're just his prop and enabler for that glorious relationship.

He will wheedle and lie and cheat to force you to live in thrall to his addiction.

He won't ever admit what he's doing and asking if you is wrong. He's got way too much riding on making you the bad guy. So he doesn't have to admit he's addicted to alcohol and doesn't even feel bad that he's become a lying selfish bastard as a result.

He may have been a nice person, he may have had the potential to be a wonderful husband and step father. But what he's become is very far from that.

You deserve a life where the person you love, puts you before drink. You deserve a partner who cares when you are hurting, you wants to make you happy, and who gives as much as you do to the relationship.

Flowers
MiscellaneousAssortment · 03/08/2016 15:34

Btw you are SO right not to get embroiled into unit counting games. It's a diversion.

50 units is way too much anyway, and if he believes it's acceptable to lie and twist the truth, and accuse his wife of lying, all to get down to a 'mere' 50 units?! Ugh.

Quality of life is not measured in units.

He's displaying really vile behavior to break you into shitting the fuck up and getting to your designated place in supporting him to be a drunk.

(And as a guide, the healthy amount is 14. Not 59. Not 100. Not whatever lies around units and quantities he's decided to pretend to believe).

theansweris42 · 03/08/2016 15:39

buttocks I am sorry this happened to your father. H is saying it is all under control and he does not want to stop.
He won't go for any help.
And Miscellaneous yes that is exactly what he wants - for me to shut up and live with it and be grateful things will then rub along nicer. Possibly. Sometimes. Except when he doesn't feel like it.
Yes indeed this is all MY fault for not enjoying the situation.
Fucking hell.
Thank you.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 03/08/2016 15:44

I should not have married him. or moved in with him.

OP posts:
FoggyBottom · 03/08/2016 18:25

This is all about him, OP. What about you? How are you doing?

theansweris42 · 03/08/2016 18:52

That's nice of you foggy.
I'm alright mostly, moreso when distracted of course.
Just finished work for 10 days for family time, argh.
I'll take the DC out and spend the time preparing to move - chucking stuff etc.
Not found a house yet but I will.
I'm nervous about telling him I want to give notice on house and for us both to find new places (I can't afford it alone and it's too bug for us 3 anyway) and about the aftermath, but it'll probably all be done by the end of the weekend.
I'm reflecting on my previous EA and FA relationship with DC father and how this was so much better - but that it's nowhere near good enough in fact.
And before that, thing about my difficult family and growing up with absent father and depressed mother who probably has a PD as well.
It's not great!!
But MN helping and supporting and challenging and enlightening, which is brilliant.
Thank you

OP posts:
Gfplux · 03/08/2016 19:29

Keep strong and good luck.

theansweris42 · 03/08/2016 21:13

Thanks Gf

OP posts:
MiscellaneousAssortment · 03/08/2016 22:21

It's hard wjen you're trying to recognize something you've not got direct experience of, like a really good relationship.

It's a step forwards though, realizing that better isn't good enough.

I'd love another relationship but am so wary of doing a frying pan to fire type of move.

I guess all anyone can do is to keep learning and keep moving forwards.

theansweris42 · 03/08/2016 22:44

Thanks for your words.
I've done fire to frying pan for sure.
I hope you find someone right for you when you're ready Flowers

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 04/08/2016 17:27

Again just recording this.
Went to Relate.
Counsellor was good,seemed experienced.
He was honest in a way, said about drinking. Said he feels he's addressed "they key issue" and halved his intake (he's not but probably thinks so). Said he felt he is being judged and falling short despite and feels hard done to.
I said some of the things I've set out here. We mentioned no sex life, he said its because I'm "ignoring" him.
I said this isn't ignoring it's coping and a reaction to being ignored and my attempts to address the issues being rebuffed.
I said about the issues being much more than just the units!
Counsellor talked about the importance if connection and that no sex and him not participating in talking about it or being defensive about drinking have brought us to crisis point
She said without that being changed there's nothing left.
Was she giving me a message?!
She asked if we wanted to book in and I said I wanted to think about it.
H said there was a lot to honk about.
I've asked him what he thinks comes next he said thinking about whether or not to go again. I said and anything else and he said no.
I know she's not made a dent o his thinking. I know that he's not going to change.
If anything I feel somewhat vindicated. But still so sad for what could have been.
And, I don't really know the reason but sooo nervous about saying the words and ending it. There'll be so much emotional punishment in the aftermath I suppose that's it.
Feel bad for DC as they love him.
Feel concerned that no houses seem to be around to rent as I cannot say it to him the share for longer than a month.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 04/08/2016 17:29
  • a lot to think about not honk about Smile
OP posts:
Memoires · 04/08/2016 17:32

Hi lovely one. Read the op of the thread stickied at the top of the Relationships board. It's called something like "Right, listen up everybody. I shall say this only once". It's pretty old now, but so so relevant still (sadly). You only need to read Reality's first post. There's a bit in there about even though a grade 8 bastard is better than a grade 10 one, it doesn't mean you should be satisfied with that. She was a wonderful poster; I think she's still about but namechanged.

After you've read that, google the Freedom Programme, and see if there's one running anywhere near enough to you that you could get to. Making the effort to do that will be one of the most helpful things you could do in this situation.

Sorry to babble a bit. I'm just so sorry that you're living like this when you should be so happy.

theansweris42 · 04/08/2016 18:38

memoires thanks for the reply.
I had another thread recently about going from level 10 to level 8 bastard!
And did Freedom but online.
I must be a bit slow to see the obvious!

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 04/08/2016 18:41

Sometimes it's like there's a gag on me, I cannot say what I need to say cos it's not what the other wants to hear

OP posts:
Atenco · 05/08/2016 02:49

Just read this, has anyone mentioned that alcohol is probably the reason for the lack of sex

"Alcohol is a depressant, and using it heavily can dampen mood, decrease sexual desire, and make it difficult for a man to achieve erections or reach an orgasm while under the influence. In fact, overdoing it on booze is a common cause of erectile dysfunction"

FoggyBottom · 05/08/2016 09:56

She said without that being changed there's nothing left.
Was she giving me a message?!

Well, what do you think? Why are you giving his alcoholism your precious headspace?

AlAnon, and leave. Or just leave.

You didn't cause it, you can't control it, you can't cure it.

theansweris42 · 05/08/2016 10:10

Yes
Telling him over the weekend.
Notice on house on Monday.
New life. Peaceful.

OP posts:
FoggyBottom · 05/08/2016 10:26

Go you!!! Flowers Flowers Flowers Flowers

Naicehamshop · 05/08/2016 10:58

Good for you OP and all the very best for the future. Stay strong - you are getting there! Flowers

Atenco · 05/08/2016 13:05

Well done you, OP.

Memoires · 05/08/2016 13:27

Very best of luck to you, 42. You are a strong and resolute woman, and you deserve so much better. I think you're doing the right thing.

Keep posting if you need to; you'll likely find,yourself on a bit of an emotional roller coaster over the next while. We'll all be heremif you need us.

theansweris42 · 05/08/2016 14:52

Thank you to everyone for all the support and patient posting.
I will post to record/work through any doubts. Sadly I think he'll be nasty and create an atmosphere so that'll be hard with DC off school.
But mind is made up.

OP posts:
MiscellaneousAssortment · 05/08/2016 19:34

Good luck good luck good luck