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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:
Memoires · 08/08/2016 16:40

Have you seen any places you could move to with the children? If so, can you just give your notice and prepare for the move without him? That might shunt him into action himself.

pearses · 08/08/2016 16:45

Just read through all of this. Very frustrating to read, can't imagine how it is to live through it.

Unexpected and quite an evil twist there at the end with "I'll get help if you go on medication".

You are doing amazing but get the fuck out of there.

Well done, keep going.

theansweris42 · 08/08/2016 18:28

He's spent the day saying he'll get help, will address issues, will try. I've said I think it is too late. And that he clearly still does not want to stop drinking. He says no, he wants controlled drinking.
He says he loves me. Can't account for when he's been nasty or blaming me.
He's asked can we give it a month for him to show his mettle.
Thing is, I'm not sure how I even feel now.
I've not found a house, seems not many around - perhaps August not a good time?
I've not done the notice for this reason, but am actively looking. TBH I can't at this moment imagine how I'll last til September emotionally but we do need somehwere to go.
I would give notice even without his agreement. But the deposit is mine, and I need it back so I can't leave him here really.

OP posts:
1weekdown5togo · 08/08/2016 19:08

What's his version of 'controlled drinking' op? And is it anything like yours?

I'm sure it's not otherwise it wouldn't have come to this but wondering how in denial he is.

Truckingalong · 08/08/2016 19:33

I suspect your 'depression' will start to magically lift when you aren't disappearing up your own backside trying to tiptoe round this man.

theansweris42 · 08/08/2016 20:27

1week I don't think he knows what controlled would be. He says it's controlled now. But it isn't, to me..
trucking I'm not depressed, he's just looking for a way for some of this to be my fault. I'll try not to disappear up my own backside. That's why I'm here Wink

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 24/08/2016 23:27

OK. So. I gave notice, H said he understood and would get help. Notice cancelled.
He made a call to GP for appt mid Sept. Otherwise business as usual.
I've gripped my courage. I've talked to him he's tried to blame me for being bad at sleeping (about him snoring) said he'll do something more re booze (I said I don't feel one call to GP enough given I said I was leaving AND we went to relate)
He's turned the tables in the issues, eg said HE is confused that I am sad about no sex life when I moved room (for sleep! I've bloody been so clear how I want us to be close) and that he's asked for us to be in same room agsin - he hasnt! I said we are 50/50 responsible for relationship he scoffed said I was paying lipservice. Ive said it's no good, it's over. MUST JUST CONTINUE WITH THIS TOMORROW.
Just a note to self.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 24/08/2016 23:30

Sorry that made no sense I'm just recording what's been said. He is defensive and some of this defence is attack.
I am so very sad about it but I must stop this.
Saw a poss house will do the paperwork tomorrow.
TBH , he deserves being dumped never mind all this soul searching. He has been a shit.

OP posts:
Memoires · 25/08/2016 00:06

Yes, he has and he is. I'm so sorry.

KOKO, 42.

theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 06:40

Thanks memoires
It's the guilt.
It's that he's done nothing to try to salvage or nourish the relationship, but he says he is trying and its just that he's not doing it in the same way I would. I said the motivation would have to come from him.
So for example we were separating, he stopped that saying he'd get help...then only made a GP appt for 6 weeks hence. Not googled anything, not changed drinking pattern. I've said its not enough to make him appear serious. He think I'm being unreasonable by not being pleased he did the GP call.
In the conv last night he started to be unpleasant, the anger with me (for not just putting up with it?) started to come through.
Been miserable since we married. That's what I have to remind myself, and how long must I live in this way?

OP posts:
Memoires · 25/08/2016 09:08

Not much longer, 42. You've been miserable since you married? Shock (I know that's 'shock', it's the closest to 'horror'.)

Being unhappy is a good enough reason, on its own, to end a marriage. You have more than enough.

Most people can get a gp appointment in a fortnight at worst. 6 weeks is putting more effort into putting it off, than into sorting things out. Could the surgery have some special thing, like, ensuring alcoholics are serious by making them wait longer for an appt? It doesn't seem too likely, but who knows?

theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 09:10

very anxious.
What if I am doing the wrong thing?
We are not happy though.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 09:17

memoires I think he maybe took one for after his diving holiday early Sept. At that appointment he said he was going to ask for a referral to alcohol counselling....acted surprised when I said and that might take months to come through.
Yes I think unhappy mostly since married. I think I feel anxious about putting myself before him Confused because he wants to "try".
But his trying is just reducing intake.
My DSs have been away a week with ex.
H and I were trying to be affectionate and so on. He suggested we try to share a bed (we have a few times in last month) and be intimate even if not sex. I said that'd be nice and would he suggest when as I find it hard now cos he's said no so many times.
He never mentioned it again and when I asked he said it had "slipped his mind". Hardly a priority then!
Also I think splitting will really underline that we shouldn't have married and I feel stupid.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 09:19

thank you memoires for being there it really helps, I know I am going over and over and over the things....Sad

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 09:21

Smile yes the GPs have this hoop to jump through if it's alcohol help needed

OP posts:
Tokenjester · 25/08/2016 09:24

A relative of mine has just separated from alcoholic after 30 years, the crunch came when their partner fell off the wagon having completed rehab, had assisted housing & a great support network. The behaviour & drinking was the same whether the partner's support & love was there or not. Your life will not be your own. The whole family suffers.

theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 09:27

thanks for your post token - I know us staying together or not won't alter his drinking. If he wants to alter it he will. But at the moment, he doesn't.

OP posts:
Livelovebehappy · 25/08/2016 10:06

I would say his alcohol dependency is the main issue here, and all other problems you have stem from this, so the only issue which needs addressing is the alcohol thing, which I'm afraid is alcoholism, and the only person who can resolve that is himself. He needs to go to AA, and his GP. Once that's sorted, everything else will sort itself out. As he seems in denial though, it doesn't appear that he going to address the drink problem anytime soon. I would just issue an ultimatum about him sorting out his alcoholism, giving him a timescale. If he doesn't seek help, then at least you can walk away knowing you tried your best, and that if he doesn't make an effort to sort out the problem, then clearly he values the booze more that you and the DC. Tbh, if you did leave him, it might jolt him into action if he knows he risks losing you.

theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 12:49

will this anxiety start to get better?
I am going to tell him I have found a house.
we'll have up to a month in the same house.
I am shaking.

OP posts:
HouseworkIsASin10 · 25/08/2016 12:57

You are doing the right thing. Talk is cheap and that's all he seems to be doing.
He will never change and your relationship is never going to be a happy one. Think of your kids and the atmosphere they are living in.

You will be so much happier in your own place Flowers

FantasticButtocks · 25/08/2016 12:57

OP could you get an app on your phone or iPad called Buddhify? It has breathing/meditation exercises on it for everything. It's about £4 I think and well worth it. Very easy to do, a mixture of male female English and American voices, so if one irritates you there are others to try.,, There is even a section called Difficult Emotions. Might help with the shaking and anxiety...just to give yourself the odd ten minutes off. Flowers

theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 13:59

Thank you housework I absolutely want the best for DC and a drinking stepdad isn't it!
fantastic I will try that, taking 10 minutes off sounds just right

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 14:08

Rang agent, taking paperwork tomorrow.
Tomorrow will tell our agent.
Step step step.

OP posts:
PenelopePitstop24 · 25/08/2016 16:19

I think that your email makes sense and addresses a lot of issues, and as much as just now he likely won't take much notice just now, I would send it anyway. That way if you do go your separate ways, he can go back to the email and maybe one day understand why you left.

Put yourself and your kids first here. The only person that can help him here is himself.

theansweris42 · 25/08/2016 16:24

Thanks penelope in the end I sent a shorter version and he didn't reply or mention it.Sad

OP posts: