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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

Really feel that this could be the end of the road for my marriage.

74 replies

NotAHa · 08/06/2017 06:35

Have nMechanged as people who know me irl may recognise me.

Been with dh nearly 20 years. Have a 17yo dc.

I was early 20s when we got together, dh 15 years older than me. Quite a whirlwind romance and I was fairly quickly pregnant and then married.

For the last 15years dh has pretty much lived As a single person. As in he never, ever wants to do anything with me. He hasn't come on holiday with me and dd since she was 2yo. No days out, trips away.

I've had to do everything on my own with Dd, holidays, going to the zoo, etc. He says it's boring. He has a hobby which takes up all weekends in the spring, summer, early autumn.

If the weather is too bad for his hobby he sits on his computer and ignores me.

He never takes me out, we don't go to the cinema, dinner, nothing.

As Dd has got older it's got easier for me. She's off with her friends and I have got my own friends, interests, become increasingly independent. Been fairly happy. Dh earns a decent wage and I guess one reason I stayed is the thought of splitting up from a financial POV doesn't appeal. Easier to stay, comfortable, I get on with my own stuff.

Dh always has a few holidays every year with friends, all to do with this hobby/sport. It's not cycling btw! Grin

He earns 3x. More than I do and can afford holidays. Although he pays the bills he keeps his money separate and me and Dd. Had to have camping holidays as that's all I could afford even though his holidays are all abroad.

He went on holiday last month with a friend and forgot to tell me! I was furious. Went for a week. Then last weekend I reminded him I was out one day this week and he said he wouldn't be here as he was going on holiday again the following day! I'm furious.

In the past I think I would have been furious but just carried on, thinking he's a wanker, etc but not rocking the boat.

I always thought no point in splitting up as I have no interest in trying to find love elsewhere........

However I've kind of met someone. Nothing has happened. But there is a spark and I think it's very mutual. He's friend requested me on fb and he's just lovely.

I don't want to have an affair. But now it's like I've woken up to the possibility that actually maybe there is hope that I could have a normal/decent relationship with someone. But if it wasn't for the thought of that I would put up with dh. So now I don't know what to do. Dh is still away. Do I tell him when he gets back I've had enough? This thing with this other guy may come to nothing.......and then I could be alone and skint. Whereas I may be. Alone now but don't have money worries.

We would have to sell the house and I would get about 70k as my half of the equity......which is nothing! Plus I have a decent final salary pension scheme and dh doesn't have a pension and I'm worried he could take half of it.

OP posts:
bigchris · 08/06/2017 06:39

Your marriage ended years ago, do you sleep with dh? What a way to live and poor dd does she have a relationship with her dad ?

bigchris · 08/06/2017 06:40

No days out , holidays with him? Poor kid must feel he doesn't care about her

Onceafortnight · 08/06/2017 06:42

Well splitting the finances is the reality of divorce. Based on what you say about your awful marriage, I would go for it. But don't base it on what may or may not happen with this guy. I would decide if you want to stay in the marriage or not regardless of anyone else on the scene.

NotAHa · 08/06/2017 06:46

Don't sleep together.

Dd can't stand her dad.

Just don't know how I can afford to separate.

OP posts:
AdalindSchade · 08/06/2017 06:46

I think it's pretty lame that you have stayed for years because you don't want to financially support yourself. £70k is a decent deposit. Time to stand on your own feet?

bigchris · 08/06/2017 06:47

How old is she now Sad

bigchris · 08/06/2017 06:47

Oh sorry i see shes 17

What a waste, money isn't everything

user1492287253 · 08/06/2017 06:48

i think you need to get some proper legal advice and decide based on facts. if you can walk away with 70k clear and you have a secure job you could probably buy a new home.
you only get one life

Buck3t · 08/06/2017 06:50

Forget the other guy for a moment. No point going from one to the other.

Is the only reason you are not leaving because he earns 3× your salary? It's along the lines of how I would work things out (being practical), up until the point that my emotional needs are not met. At that point comfort is really not important. Especially if you have a job, with a final salary pension.

Another to point out is if he is 15 years older than you. He will be expecting you to wipe his arse in the next 15. Do you want to be responsible for someone that you don't really like now? In 20 years time?

This other person has opened your eyes to the possibility of a real relationship, that's good. If you don't think your day is receptive to change then it's time to leave. No matter what happens with this new man.

picklemepopcorn · 08/06/2017 06:50

Check out your financial situation, get advice. Do your maths. Make your decision with your eyes open. Effectively you are his housekeeper. Can you earn more?

Brighteyes27 · 08/06/2017 06:54

I think I would carry on as best you can for a few weeks whilst seriously weighing up your financial options. As another has said don't base it on this new possible love interest (as it may or may not come to anything) decide this no or half life where you don't have any financial worries or get out there and make a new life on your terms.

Nancy91 · 08/06/2017 06:54

Don't stay with him for money, that's no way to live your life. Don't put much stock into this thing with the new guy, it's only a fb request but probably seems like a big deal after such a long time being ignored by your husband.

You can live a full and happy life alone (apart from DD) until the right person comes along. You don't need this man. Set your daughter a good example by leaving an unhappy relationship. Be brave.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 08/06/2017 07:01

Life is way too short to waste it on your waste of space husband. You won't look back on your deathbed and think "I wish I'd stayed with him because of the money". You will look back and think "I wish I left him years ago".

CoolCarrie · 08/06/2017 07:08

You don't want to waste any more time, you and your daughter deserve much more that this. He is using you as a housekeeper, nothing more.

For you and your child 's sake end this marriage and be brave and strong, you have MN behind you and people who have walked this road and can guide you. Please don't waste your life, this isn't a marriage and it's no life for your daughter.

PaintingByNumbers · 08/06/2017 07:09

you werent staying with him for the money, as you didnt get access to it.
if you had left years ago you might have got a lot more money as a settlement, with your daughter to support
this was never about the money (points this out to other posters)
you are used to living a pretty frugal life, camping holidays while he goes on his own abroad. just divorce, whats the worst that could happen? or just tell him you want to start having an open marriage (quite likely he has a whole other relationship?) and get on with that.

HeteronormativeHaybales · 08/06/2017 07:10

Word for word what Nancy91 says.

I do have to say that tbh, it doesn't paint you in the best light that you have put up with this to be frank pretty intolerable situation, and had your daughter put up with it, for years and years for the money (although even there your dd has missed out on a lot because you didn't want to challenge the ludicrous 'separate money' situation), and are now only considering leaving because you've met someone. And even this you are approaching in something of a calculating manner (what if it comes to nothing and I'm alone and skint?). It's as well not to set too much store by this new man, though. You're not approaching him from a position where you are free and happy in yourself and therefore able to enter into something wholeheartedly because it is right for you.
How did it come to your dd not being able to stand her father, and you still didn't feel any action necessary? That is very sad.

Take a very deep breath, have an honest conversation with your husband where you bring out into the open what has been apparent for years, and work towards a fair financial settlement for you both.

astoundedgoat · 08/06/2017 07:11

Life is too short. You are only in your early forties which is super young and way too young to be thinking about staying with someone only because they might take your pension!

From what you describe, you are barely in a marriage at all. Your daughter probably won't be utterly stunned if you tell her that you and your husband are divorcing.

The new guy is a bit of a red herring. Maybe it has pointed out to you that there is more to life than your unhelpful housemate, but don't leave your husband for this guy - leave your husband for yourself.

HeteronormativeHaybales · 08/06/2017 07:12

I mean you and your dd by 'you both', btw. I'm sure your h can look after himself and will try to.

Dumdedumdedum · 08/06/2017 07:16

I would take to heart what Buck3t says - I imagine it would be bad enough having to care for someone you love deeply and have spent many happy years of marriage with, but just think how awful it would be for you if you had to spend the last years of your OH's life caring for someone you dislike so much? Would the financial security really be worth it?
I agree with PP that the "other man" is irrelevant. Do what you need to do now, for you and your DD, who sounds as if she will be fine without her father. Take advice from CAB and/or a solicitor and see where you will stand. Your emotional load will surely be lightened if you separate from him now.
Good luck.

whereiwanttobe · 08/06/2017 07:18

I left after 30 years, knowing I would be poorer but preferring that to another 30 years of financial comfort with a man I could no longer stand. He was selfish with his money and time too, although we had (disastrous) holidays together - I always had to be "grateful" for them, even though i was paying most of the bills while he saved his money! But being free is worth being every penny poorer. And yes I have to budget more carefully, and have a few money worries, but it's fine, and you will be fine.

My kids were delighted that I finally broke free, and my daughter says I am a different woman now. The icing on the cake is my DP of 3 years, who I met 3 years after my marriage ended.

Just do it, OP, I promise you will be happier and you will quickly be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.

Good luck.

PaintingByNumbers · 08/06/2017 07:18

also, he might leave his money.to someone else entirely. at least divorced, you got your share of it.

Neutrogena · 08/06/2017 07:27

When did you last speak to him about this unhappiness?

He may (ignorantly) think everything is ok.

Give him a month to change after speaking to him, and then initiate proceedings if he doesn't change.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 08/06/2017 07:37

Don't split up because of this potential new romance. Split up because this is not a marriage.

NotAHa · 08/06/2017 07:42

Yes if I'd left when Dd was younger I would have been better off than what I have been the last few months. If he has to give me 20% of his salary he will have to pay me about £600 a month while Dd is in sixth form.

So for the next couple of years I will be ok.

I guess it's after that I would be scared what would happen, how I would pay the bills. How could I support Dd at uni because what if he refuses to and I've fucked her uni chances up by pissing her dad off. At least now I know if I said to him you need to give her 6k a year while she's at uni he would do. But he has a bit of a stubborn nasty streak in him and I can see him refusing to pay anything to her once she's at uni because he will be annoyed about maintenance.

Sometimes he makes comments now about how it's his house because he pays the mortgage. I try and point out that when we bought the house I put down 42k cash out my savings and he put down 30k so I made a bigger initial contribution. And yes he now pays the small mortgage but I buy the food, buy everything Dd needs....so I pay over most of my wages to household stuff while he pays a third of his wages of that!

OP posts:
NotAHa · 08/06/2017 07:43

And he must have a significant amount of savings but I have. No idea how much.

OP posts:
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