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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

Is it the end?

19 replies

LambChopsMcGee · 02/06/2017 09:47

I've written a couple of times before about DP. Trying to think what order to put it all, but i'll start where we are.

I sent DP to the spare room last night (well, suggested he go -- I'm BF DD so didn't seem I could leave the bedroom with the cot). I have reached the end of my tether and all I feel is that I wish I'd stood up for myself earlier, though of course I don't regret having DD (8mo).

It's hard to put it all in words or even get it clear in my head. He just keeps saying "we both need to be nicer to each other" but I don't think I have been as...nasty and difficult to live with as him. Also I feel we just want different lives and things. It's so hard to know what to do though because we have our daughter (and a flat, and can't afford to each have our own flat, really, not where we live and have jobs).

He drinks too much, is the main thing. We moved in together about 4 years ago and I immediately realised he drank loads (to me). And, I'd be interested in others' thoughts on this -- he sits up till 2am or so every night. That was the first thing that made me sad as I had been looking forward to living with him and the whole bedtime thing, sitting in bed together at the end of the day, falling asleep together, you know. I go to bed about 10.30 or 11. It's been a bone of contention from the start and it might seem small but it's broken my heart. I have fallen asleep alone almost every night for the last 4 years. It affects how I feel about the relationship.

He's also very messy and dirty. Like, he doesn't clean up, wipe the kitchen down and things, and before he started letting me (!!) use the dishwasher I would always have to rewash dishes he had done as they were very greasy/visibly dirty. I am not a perfectionist -- i have always been the slob in previous relationships...

And he drinks. 4 cans most nights, which isn't loads, but he drinks every day, without fail. He also will keep drinking after he gets home from the pub and fall asleep on the sofa, and those nights he will be quite nasty in his words to me. So, say, this week he got home and he was angry I hadn't gotten a shirt for him from the spare room (where we have our wardrobes) as we had a friend staying. I apologised and he kept sending texts from the other room, about how thoughtless it was and things. Other times he has said things deliberately calibrated to upset me. Like, soon after I had DD I had been saying I worried i was fat and lazy and I felt sad about it, in a sober nice chat. Then when he was drunk and getting fighty and I said I didn't want to talk to him when he was like that, he said I was fat and lazy (that's a bad example maybe -- he just stores up things he knows will hurt me).

He's seeing the doctor about the drinking, finally, but isn't cutting down really. He keeps saying he's waiting to see the place she referred him to but he always has an excuse for why he didn't go today.

This is all coming out sounding so lame. I just...I feel so undermined. It's the drinking and bedtimes, and that he just never seems to want to do anything with me. He blames it all on his anxiety but he is just not nice to me. Everything is a sneer and he always says I am a nag. I try to ask nicely. But he never thinks for himself to do anything, and it often takes many requests for him to do things (days apart). I hate that maybe I am a nag. I'm a bit of a wreck.

I don't even know what I am asking. I thought I could put this eloquently and things but it's all a real mess. He loves DD and doesn't want to lose her, but living with him is making me so unhappy.

Sorry. I should go back and think and write this again, but I have no time.

OP posts:
helloooisitme · 02/06/2017 10:02

Sorry you're having a rough time hopefully someone can help. FlowersFlowers(unfortunately I can't read ANY of the crossed out stuff. I have a vision impairment )

FetchezLaVache · 02/06/2017 10:08

He sounds awful and you sound really, really sad. Lots of things about his treatment of you jump out as being abusive. Why the fuck is it your responsibility to get him a shirt, and why do you need his permission to use the dishwasher?

This is not a good relationship to model to your precious daughter.

Flowers
FetchezLaVache · 02/06/2017 10:08

Oh - and storing up your insecurities to hurt you with at a later date is absolutely unacceptable.

LambChopsMcGee · 02/06/2017 10:09

Oh I didn't realise any way crossed out! Sorry, that must be hard. Thank you.

OP posts:
LambChopsMcGee · 02/06/2017 10:09

Any was.... urgh.

OP posts:
category12 · 02/06/2017 10:12

He sounds awful and the fact he's paying lip service to dealing with his alcoholism but not actually doing anything is a deal breaker. You deserve better.

ImperialBlether · 02/06/2017 10:13

I can't see anything crossed out!

Have you had a long hard look at finances if you did separate? There's the Entitled To Calculator online and there's a Child Maintenance calculator online, too.

Frankly, I wouldn't want to live with him. I wouldn't see any point! He's miserable, nasty, doesn't want the same lifestyle as you and drinks too much. All of that will get worse, not better.

helloooisitme · 02/06/2017 10:22

Oh maybe just me then sorry op

Is it the end?
Hermonie2016 · 02/06/2017 10:36

It sounds like you walk on eggshells, trying to keep the atmosphere "ok" yet it's never enough.

His drinking is a big issue as it sounds as if he's dependent on alcohol.It must also eat into the family budget plus you couldn't rely on him to wake up at night with your dd.

There will be ways to leave and be on your own but it takes a while to get your head around it.Often you have to emotionally decide to leave and then you start to see practical solutions.

It really doesn't seem like you have a sustainable relationship.I'm so sorry as its awful living in this type of relationship.

rizlett · 02/06/2017 10:43

Lamb - you have no need to apologise or go back and write it again - it's clear that he is an abusive type of man - a non abusive one would help you, boost you up, and support you.

It sounds as though his drinking is part of the problem but even if he were to stop drinking at any point in future (and often people won't stop drinking until their life is so bad there is no other choice) he is still likely to be an abusive man.

Find out more by looking at the freedom programme and also al-anon family groups - you will get some RL support and further understanding of where you are immediately and I'm sure there will be other posters with more advice here.

LambChopsMcGee · 02/06/2017 11:38

helloooitsme how annoying for you! Maybe it's just on the app or you could try a different browser (I don't mean to read my ramblings, but if it is a problem with a lot of posts).

Thanks all. I don't really know what I will do. I feel I have been pushed almost this far before, a few times. Before we bought the house I said I would leave if he didn't address his alcohol issues and see someone about possible depression. He promised he would, but that was over 2 years ago, so I'm not expecting fast progress now either. He used to hide beer in the house and hide empties in his bag, which I caught him doing multiple times. I feel like a fool for not leaving then. Everything feels a bit clearer now -- partly cos I am now tee total (after pregnancy and BF, but I don't think I will drink again as his issues have put me off. I never drank a lot but say we would go to the pub on Fridays after work and I would get drunk too and then if we fought I figured I was as much to blame).

No I don't expect him to get up in the night with DD. I won't let him change her nappy or anything after my bedtime, so 10.30ish, as he drinks after I go to bed.

He says he feels alone and scared and needs my support while he sorts his anxiety. Even if I accept that as honest truth, I'm not sure I can. It's been years and really I think I just don't love him anymore. We used to be very happy and things. I know I am not blameless (our physical relationship is pretty much non existent and that is down to me, partly cos I am so unhappy about all this stuff, and the bedtime issue) but I don't really care who's right and who's wrong anymore.

OP posts:
LambChopsMcGee · 02/06/2017 11:54

Oh re: family budget, we have separate finances (though a shared account into which we pay an equal % of our salaries and that pays mortgage and bills), but yes when it comes to things like affording to go away and just feeling...like we are comfortable it is a big thing.

I don't want to police how he spends his money -- if he wants to buy lunch every day and I want to buy a pair of shoes I don't need then that is our own business in a way, but he must spend thousands on it.

There was a redflag of just different approaches early after we moved in when I suggested we start saving for a round the world trip (something I always wanted to do -- not saying it's inherently better than his interests) and cut down pub trips to save for it. He was very anti. I feel foolish for not pursuing things I wanted to do because he made me feel stupid and daydreamy for wanting them.

I love DD and I would never regret having her for a second, but a large part of me wishes I'd had the courage to leave him three years ago. I feel bad that DD will have to experience this animosity between us, whether we are together or apart.

Now of course I am tied to him forever in a way. Also I am tied to the UK (sorry to drip feed, but I am from the other side of the world and hoped we might look at moving there. He's been very anti that (I accept that it is a big ask) and quite hurtful about that.)

Thanks everyone for your support. I'm sorry for going on -- it helps to get it in writing sometimes. I wish I had been on MN years ago. I told my best friend and my mum about some of this and they were nice but...didn't grasp the seriousness I suppose. I told my mum he was an alcoholic and she thought I was being a prude I think and she encouraged me to buy the house (not that I am blaming anyone but myself).

OP posts:
Secretlife0fbees · 02/06/2017 13:16

You don't sound like a nag at all. He sounds like a joy sucking twat who will actually ruin yours and your dd's life if you don't make some changes and get rid of him now.
My stbxh sounds a lot like him - the drinking, verbal abuse and most definitely what struck a chord with me was that my ex used to always use things against me when I was at my most vulnerable, (like that thing you said about being lazy).. mine would take something he KNEW that really hurt me, that I'd confided in him about and then when he wanted to break me down would attack me with it. Like I don't have a good relationship with my sister and he knew how much I suffered because of that because I spoke to him so many times, next opportunity he had he would say 'it's no wonder your sister doesn't even like you' etc - there are LOADS of things like this and it's a real red flag to me. I wasted 20 years with this fucker - don't be like me!!!! I'm 40 now and I am so lucky to have 2 beautiful kids but I soooo wish I had stopped trying to make things better and hope he'd change and just get rid of him like I did in the end. X

isitjustme2017 · 02/06/2017 15:13

Hi OP, firstly you sound lovely and its not fair the way he is treating you. He IS an alcoholic and this will only get worse unless he gets help now. My stbxp's brother is in hospital with liver failure due to alcoholism and this started off as just 'drinking every day'.
You are not responsible for looking after him when he won't help himself.
Sorry but you need to grow a pair of balls, stand up to him and give him an ultimatum that he either gets help NOW for his drinking, or you are separating. It really is as simple as that. Give him a deadline and make sure you have evidence of visits to meetings etc.
Only you can change this situation now OP. Think of your lovely daughter. Don't let her grow up thinking this is normal behaviour.

isitjustme2017 · 02/06/2017 15:14

Oh and please don't spend the rest of your life having even more regrets!!!!

thestamp · 02/06/2017 19:33

I'm so sorry you are suffering like this. He really sounds awful...

Op I think it's best to be very honest with yourself... You made a mistake in continuing the relationship, and in picking a father for your DD. I would venture to say at least half of mum's can say the same (I'm one of them). Doesn't make you a bad person or even a particularly unusual one! It's just one of those things.

But the trick is that you must, MUST stop throwing good money after bad, so to speak. It's time to go.

Dd is still tiny and the quicker you spirit her out of this situation, the better chance she has of not making similar errors in her adult relationships.

It took me about a year to start having the energy to be the mum I wanted to be to my DC after I left DC's dad. If you leave now, by the time DD is 2 or 3 you will be strong and independent and will have half forgotten how sad you are right now... That means that for her it will be as if all this never even happened. She will just have her lovely strong mum to enjoy and love. Without her dad being nasty and shitty and making the whole house miserable.

Can you send him on his way? Have you somewhere to go? Life is not meant to be this hurtful and exhausting. You and dd deserve peace, happiness and comfort in life! He is working against those things.

Secretlife0fbees · 02/06/2017 20:17

I agree with thestamp get your daughter out of there. My ds is 11 now and it's so much harder for older kids to get through this stuff. They do, when their mothers finally grow a pair of balls and get them out of it (me) but you have a chance here for her not to even remember any of this shit - hopefully my son will be minimally affected in later life but who knows.. that's just something I can only hope for - deep down I was just too much of a wimp and was believing in that sunk costs fallacy.

bumblebee61 · 02/06/2017 21:08

he sounds like a classic alcoholic I'm afraid. It may be that he'll sort himself out when and if he goes to this rehab place the GP has referred him to, but equally well, he may not. You have a choice. You either wait until he's completed the treatment and see if he gives up the booze or get out now. You certainly can't live like this indefinitely. You deserve so much more. It sounds as though you are living a very sad, lonely life. He sounds screwed up and very unpleasant to be around. I do hope you find the strength to leave if things don't change very soon.

DownTownAbbey · 02/06/2017 22:11

You need to 'help him with his anxiety' whilst he totally trashes your peace of mind? Does that sound right to you? I think it sounds highly manipulative.

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