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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

Husband ruined Christmas. Again.

107 replies

sososofuckingfedup · 25/12/2016 18:16

He has form for going into a major sulk whenever he suspects I'm trying desperately to make the day go alright. emotionally abusive
Just had yet another year of him - not joining in, sulking, moaning, going into silent mode.
This was my Christmas day.
This year I AM going to leave him.

OP posts:
hesterton · 25/12/2016 19:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NicknameUsed · 25/12/2016 19:33

Next year can you and the children decamp to your family for the day and leave him at home on his own?

sososofuckingfedup · 25/12/2016 19:36

I want to know. Why are they like it?

OP posts:
Needchange · 25/12/2016 19:39

You know I rack my brains with the same question every day. Mine says the most un thoughtful selfish things that leave me gobsmacked. He can be very selfish to. He is one of the good ones, but I just want more and better and wonder could I be realy joyfully happy with another. Do you still love him, like you used to?

EekAmIBonkers · 25/12/2016 19:40

Please do it.

Just had my 3rd Christmas since separation and it has been so wonderful. Besides the emotional improvement I have learned so much about self-reliance and therefore have a sense of pride that just wasn't there when I was married. The kids are fine and whilst finances were terrifying at first, we never ever went without a decent quality of life and I have built up a good life for us all by myself.

Please invest in yourself and your children. You can do it.

Klaptout · 25/12/2016 19:42

Is he the same when people have a birthday or a family trip out?
Sounds like he doesn't like it if the centre of attention is not on him.
Or is he punishing you for enjoying the time you spend with others?
I find it hard to believe he is just like this for one day of the year.
Splitting up is hard, so many people stay together as they tell themselves it's not bad enough for them to leave, you can leave for any reason you don't have to wait until it gets worse.

DameDeDoubtance · 25/12/2016 19:44

What is your financial situation? Is the house owned or rented, is the house in both names?

UnderbeneathsiesTheMistletoe · 25/12/2016 19:45

I think you need counselling where you tell him about the effects of his observed behaviour on you and your children. Maybe he has an historic reason for his bad behaviour. Maybe he's a tool of the first order, but you won't know if you don't engage.
Let him have it in therapy, both barrels, the effects of his behaviour, and then see when he plans to do about it. Make a plan they he's not to moan sulk of physically be absent. That he must engage positively.

Make sure you're ready to leave if it comes to it. But I do think the spade work on your relationship has yet to be done.

Emotional honesty is essential if you're planning on staying.
If you're planning on leaving, just detach and call it quits.

If you're always spending xmas at your family, maybe go skiing, or go to Thailand to let everyone relax.

Fwiw I hate going to inlaws, even though they're nice as pie. I just find it exhausting. Shake it up and listen to what he wants for Christmas next year. Maybe it's all about the children and your family and there's no holiday for him in there?

Maybe he needs a lads' weekend to balance things out, or even a dirty weekend with you before the big Cday. Not everyone is wired for Christmas.

I think you need to talk about it and listen too.

sososofuckingfedup · 25/12/2016 19:45

With him, I run a car, a credit card, he pays for the children's travel expenses,

OP posts:
fallenempires · 25/12/2016 19:46

soso if it's really just an Xmas/significant occasion thing then I'd be having serious words with him as he needs to get over himself & think of how his attitude & behaviour affects others.
If there's more to it then I feel that you need to have another think.
You have a life & deserve to be happy,you're more than just a wife or mother.Your relationship with your DH is also damaging to your DC's who if not witnessing the arguments etc will pick up on the hostility.Children need to see positive & loving relationships between the parents in their life.
FWIW I divorced due to all the reasons you cited but he was a miserable,nasty piece of work 365 days a year.
I was working in a low paid p/t job but went for it as I could no longer live like that.Yes it was a bloody struggle,it still is a number of years on, but I'm so glad I did it!

sososofuckingfedup · 25/12/2016 19:54

I give up.

He's being nice to me now. Like nothing's happened. Sad

OP posts:
HeavenlyEyes · 25/12/2016 20:00

do you actually know financially how leaving will impact you. If you work you may get working and child tax credits, help with rent and then of course maintenance from him. You may find yourself better off. I did.

Claire7984 · 25/12/2016 20:01

sounds like a right nob. get rid

AlwaysDancing1234 · 25/12/2016 20:03

Your post made me sad, hope next year is better for you. I actually cancelled Christmas with my family because DH made it difficult and I knew if we did go he'd complain about the food choices and not be sociable with anyone so we didn't go Sad

leaveittothediva · 25/12/2016 20:03

Good for you OP, next year the miserable git can spend it whatever way he likes. Moaning. Most probably.

DollyPlastic · 25/12/2016 20:04

Do it OP. My dad ruined every Christmas when I was young and as soon as I turned 18 I never spent Christmas at home again.

I know my mum wants to see us at Christmas but not a fucking chance. Flowers

sososofuckingfedup · 25/12/2016 20:07

You're poor mum.
But I don't blame you.

OP posts:
addstudentdinners2 · 25/12/2016 20:09

serously, I think of the financial implications for my children.

My mum left my EA Dad. Afterwards we had nothing. Lived in one bed flat. Hand to mouth existence. We seriously had fuck all.

I'd take that life a million times over living with my Dad.

ferriswheel · 25/12/2016 20:09

You were me this time last year. I have cried almost every day of 2016. It has been very difficult but I'm now four months into divorce proceedings and, whilst devastated, I know it is the right thing.

Do it. Feel free to pm me.

The80sweregreat · 25/12/2016 20:24

Lots of support on here for next year. Its a fab site. Good luck! ( im not normally a ltb, but you sound like enough is enough)

Graphista · 25/12/2016 20:26

I'll repeat

No amount of money worth tolerating this shite!

My mothers wasted nearly 50 years with a miserable, selfish, jealous (even of her spending time with her family), possessive, abusive bully.

My siblings and I witnessed this and it has deeply affected us. My brother and I are v low contact with mum now, he has even less contact with dad than mum. I have no contact with dad at all. My sister is turning into my father including controlling my mother.

It's bloody miserable for dc. I wish my mum had left my dad no matter the financial consequences (same reason she gives for not leaving). I actually resent her for putting her lifestyle above our welfare. I don't understand it at all. And I speak as someone who's a lone parent and I've really struggled financially at times - still preferable to that scenario I would never put a child of mine through that.

You've contradicted yourself a few times which I think you're aware of but I think that's your way of sorting in your own mind. If you're honest with yourself you'll know if he is a good man with occasional poor behaviour or if he's a selfish possessive arse. But staying in a miserable marriage/family for financial/lifestyle reasons is not in my opinion a healthy idea.

My siblings and I are all majorly messed up due to my mothers decision to stay. Even she admits that.

DeathStare · 25/12/2016 20:26

I agree with Queen - if he's great the rest of the time, then don't leave him over this. Maybe there's something about occasions like Christmas that he hates or finds stressful. Have you talked to him about what that might be?

I'd resolve that no matter what he says, in 2017 all high days and holidays will be spent without him. I'd explain this, and why, to him calmly at the start of the year and also say that he might find it better this way too. Then stick to it no matter what he says. Tell him at the start of 2018 you will both sit down calmly and discuss how it went, but unless at this point he recognises the impact of his behaviour and agrees to stop it, the situation will continue. If you have been happy how 2017 has gone it can continue with you two still together. If however not having him there for high days and holidays has made you miserable and he still refuses to change his behaviour, then you will have to discuss separation.

Then stick to what you said and don't discuss it again until 2018.

Good luck OP

QueenyLaverne · 25/12/2016 20:36

If you hate him, no option just leave.
I'd rather struggle financially than live a life I hate cause I hate my DP

peaceloveandbiscuits · 25/12/2016 21:15

See my thread in chat. It gets better! You don't have to live like this. The possible financial hardship will be worth the freedom and relief for you and your children. I know that's easy for an outsider to say, but you are worth so much more than this Flowers happy Christmas.

lettuce1st · 25/12/2016 21:23

Everyone's telling you to leave him like he's just pissed on your kids! Jesus Christ, sleep on it!