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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

Gave up on my marriage, but DH hasn't.

34 replies

Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 09:27

I don't even know where to start! I will try and keep this as short as possible.

DH and I have been together for 8 years. We've got 2 DC both under 6. We are in our 20's.

The last few years have been pretty awful relationship wise. I've had zero affection /attention from DH. He just didn't seem to have any interest in me at all and I used to drive myself mad thinking he was only with me for the kids as we didn't do anything together and our evenings were spent sitting on separate sofas with him on his phone ignoring me.

I tried soooo hard to get our relationship to be a nice loving one but he wasn't interested. I really do wonder why he was happy with that? I gave him so many chances to talk to me and help each other. He always denied anything was wrong and he was completely happy with his life. We were basically housemates who barely spoke to each other. One example of how thing were.. I'd send him Facebook messages just telling him I loved him and asking him how he was and if I saw something funny I'd send it to him. Sometimes he wouldn't even open my messages until 2 weeks later even though he's constantly on his phone Sad The thing is, we barely argued and we did get on well. I could go on and on about all the little things.

The last 6 months got even worse as I gave up. I accepted that this was my marriage and what my life was going to be like for the next 50 years so I needed to make the most of it. I got a new job working evenings. Started getting into exercise which I did in the evenings, started going out more, drinking more and my social life was great. Made a new male friend who I spoke to a lot.

I don't want to go into too much detail but an incident happened where DH saw us together having a laugh (we weren't doing anything wrong. Literally just laughing together) and nothing has been the same since.

DH said that it took the incident to make him realise what he was missing and he wanted our relationship to be like the way me and my friend were together. He's become super clingy, sending me constant messages, getting stropy if I don't show him enough affection and very needy. He booked us a holiday (something we've never done before as he just couldn't be bothered even though we can afford it) he wants us to go out together all the time and buys me flowers. He now wants another baby (again something I was desperate for but he wouldn't even consider) and for the first time ever, we started a joint savings account. He really has tried so hard.

Sounds perfect? Everything I've ever wanted. Except I gave up on our relationship after years of trying. The first few weeks were okay and I really did try but it was so forced from my side and I'm just bitter from the years of trying and failing to make things better. Why does it all have to be on his terms? How can he just decide that he wants things to change? I'm angry at him.

Also he's become insanely jealous of my friend. There's nothing to be jealous of. He now works at the same place as me so I have mood swings from DH every time I go to work. I get missed calls and messages from him when I'm at work even know he knows I can't have my phone on me at work. He went on my phone and read all the messages from my friend.

I don't really know what I'm trying to say here. I don't know what I want. I'm just so angry that he left it so late. I can't do the whole couple-ey things with him that he wants. It makes me cringe. It's so forced from me and it shouldn't be like that. He's offering to give me the relationship I dreamed of but I'm not sure if can do it with him.

I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 23/06/2017 15:08

I walked out on my dds dad when she was 6 months old and I have never, ever regretted it. There was just no love left. He was devastated and cried and begged me to try again but when you know it's over, you know. That was 14 years ago now and I still think I did the right thing. (We had been together nearly 7 years altogether). I am now remarried and very happy with another dc etc.

However, I do think you need to distance yourself from this "friend" to work out what you really want. Reading between the lines it seems you do like him a lot more than you're even aware of. You can't really be clear about how you feel about your dh with that hanging over you. You need to change jobs or go on sick if necessary just to break the cycle.

Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 17:06

Honestly it's got nothing to do with the friend. I don't find him attractive in the slightest and we barely message each other at all now. He's got a girlfriend and even if he didn't, I wouldn't go anywhere near him in that way.

I'm just so confused. I do love DH but we've been together a long time (since I was 18) so he's always just been 'there'. I keep just going round in circles.

OP posts:
Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 17:06

I'm glad it worked out for you fairylee and you're happy now.

OP posts:
Adora10 · 23/06/2017 17:13

He wasn't devastated when you gave him chance after chance, he let things get so bad you had no choice but to split, ignoring you, sitting separating, glued to his phone, not taking you out or complimenting you, am I right so far? Yes, well don't go back there again for the same shit treatment, you are in your twenties and have plenty time to meet a man that treats you with kindness, respect and actually shows an interest in what you are saying.

He's devastated his cosy home life has been disrupted, I am sorry OP but if he was devastated at losing you then why didn't he make an effort, he made actually zero effort.

Up to you but I think you are making it all too easy for him to let you down again.

Owlerhowler · 23/06/2017 17:40

Adora you are exactly right. I can't see anyone else wanting me though, especially with two kids. I think that's what I'm a bit scared about too.

I ahve asked him why he didn't change before and he just said he doesn't know because he wasn't happy either. But I honestly tried to have a conversation about the state of our relationship every few months so plenty of chances.

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 23/06/2017 17:47

Yanbu to end the relationship if, for you, it's too late. If your H respects and cares for you he will make every effort to make the break up reasonable and co-parent the DC.

You were U to have an emotional affair, which is what it was. And disingenuous to say that you expected to put up with the crummy situation for 50 more years! You clearly (and reasonably) wanted changes in your life, including a better relationship with someone else.

Adora10 · 23/06/2017 17:50

Yes they will OP, I have friends with more who have met new partners.

Date him, let him prove it to you first before setting yourself up in a home with him for him to do it all again to you.

StormTreader · 23/06/2017 18:01

"I ahve asked him why he didn't change before and he just said he doesn't know because he wasn't happy either."

Rubbish, of course he knows. He thought it wasnt worth putting any effort in because you would put up with nothing forever.

AdalindSchade · 23/06/2017 18:05

You're 26. You will have relationships in the future if you leave him. Not right away but you will. Do not let that be a reason.

He's offering to move out - let him.

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