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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 this a typical midlife crisis?

29 replies

DollyBright0n · 15/08/2017 05:36

My lovely DP of 21 years seems to have totally checked out of our relationship. I found a text message on his phone a year ago to a younger female colleague. Nothing specifically wrong with text, just a picture from his bike ride and slightly flirty BUT it was sent at 7:30am on a Sunday morning. After some questioning, in which he told me they are just friends, (although she wasn't a contact on his phone so not that good a friend AND he deleted the message before I told him I'd seen them). I asked him if he was still happy with me and he refused to reply. I asked him if he still loved me and again he wouldn't reply. This has been going in for a year. At first I thought he was just flattered by a much younger colleague showing interest (he is her manager) but it's just got progressively worse. We're on holiday at the moment and everything I do or say seems to upset him. He won't look or engage with me. We had a choice of rooms and he selected the one with single beds. In another apartment we have a double bed but he's clinging onto the mattress on his side to get as far away as possible. He started being very touchy with our youngest son, now 12, by holding hands and putting his arm round him - obviously nothing inappropriate, but almost like he want some human contact just not from me. Sometimes it feels like he's showing me what I'm missing but I know he doesn't care enough to play games like that. He doesn't engage at all with me if he can help it. During some conversations over the last few months he has said things along the lines of "I love you but in a different way" and "I want to find myself" - He has spent our entire holiday saying how he wants to come back to do cycling (basically without us - we don't do mountain biking but "she" does) he's also ignoring our eldest son who looks and is more like me and less into having "adventures". I'm heartbroken. It's affecting the kids and ruining my self-esteem. He's said he's fed up with me crying all the time because I've become emotional for the first time in 21 years. I could count the number of times I'd cried previously in front of him on two hands before all this. He wants us to go to relate but there seems little point if he clearly doesn't love me at all anymore. I can't believe my lovely, supportive, kind and caring partner of 21 years has just checked out and doesn't seem phased by the end of a 21 year relationship. I'm not financially independent, we're not married but we jointly own a house. I'm going to see a solicitor once we're back but I feel absolutely broken and at a totally loss as what to do. He seems ambivalent and just wants to have "adventures". (He's upset because I don't like heights). He told me our youngest son would be better off if we split up because he could be taken on adventure holidays rather than sitting on the computer! He doesn't seem to realise that the boys will be devastated. He doesn't seem to comprehend the enormity of what he's doing. He says he doesn't want to split up but totally ignores me unless it's to complain about me. He's always been so lovely but now there's a barrage of character assassinations every time I try and talk to him. Perhaps I do have some issues (I don't get on with my mother due to emotion abuse issues, I'm also quite cautious and slightly anxious which he now hates) but nothing so bad as to raise it with me in the last 21 years. It's like he's looking for excuses. He seems to totally resent my existence. If I say I can't go in like this he tells me in that case I'm ruining it all - like it's my fault, shifting the blame onto me! I don't know what to do - I've never felt like this or been so depressed, scared and desperate. He's 46 so I assume he's having some sort of midlife crisis but putting a name to it doesn't help or excuse this behaviour. I just feel so broken.

OP posts:
Neverwantedthis · 15/08/2017 05:58

So sorry you're going through this. I wrote a similar post 3 months ago. Partner and husband of 21 years too and suddenly just changed. Went cold, checked out, did that annoying clinging to edge of bed like I was going to jump him.

Upshot is he's gone. He walked out refusing counselling and left me with 3 young kids. Broken is how I feel. He gets to swan off and live a single life whereas I've lost the only person I've ever loved, my best friend and been left as a single mom.

I'm trying to hold it together for the sake of the kids and I'm waiting for OW to appear on scene (he denies there is one but losing weight, fancy designer clothes, fancy new sports car etc leads me to believe there is).

Unfortunately I have no words of advice other than you can't continue like you are as it us just destroying any last piece of confidence you have left. Speak with the solicitor and consider your options

lunaysol3828 · 15/08/2017 06:05

OP, sit him down and have a massive talk. Do tell him your worries and your fears, like you told us. Either he needs to change behaviour, tell you what's wrong or you know you need to leave...

mummytime · 15/08/2017 06:07

Blaming you for how he feels is straight from "the script", and classic projection (Freud).
This is not a mid-life crisis - that would be buying an expensive Bike/inappropriate car.

Don't accept the blame.
Do get a lawyer.

Oh and talk honestly to your DC

Bluebelle38 · 15/08/2017 06:12

I'm so sorry you feel this way. You seem to be trying to find fault with yourself to explain his shoddy behaviour. It sounds like he is pushing you so you end it. He is not remotely invested in this relationship anymore. Look at his words: he isn't in love. More than that, the longer it takes you to end it, the more he does to hurt you. Was he really being unusually affectionate with your son or did you just noticed it because you have been completely sidelined.

Your boys will cope, don't make this about them.

As much as you don't want this to end, could you continue being treated this way? Your self esteem is already on the floor. Sometimes as hard as it is, we have to make those slow steps towards acceptance.

My heart broke for you reading your post. You've tried so hard to make it work, but it sounds like you are flogging a dead horse. My advice would be continue with legal advice and get into counselling asap and do it before your fragile self esteem takes a further battering.

Regarfing his coldness, he probably doesn't understand why you haven't officially ended it yourself. He seems annoyed you wanted it to work.

Have you many friend / family (if you are close) around. You need support now xxx

oldmanfromscene24 · 15/08/2017 06:55

He's trying to pus you into ending it to save face - so it looks like (and he can lie to himself!) that you are the bad guy. What a spineless fuckweasel. If start gathering your thoughts and getting your ducks in a row so if and when, you're not on the back foot.

I would sit him down - actually arrange a time to do this, and have a frank talk about what the hell is going on. Try to phrase it positively like 'what can we do to get back to happier marriage'etc. Suggest counselling. I'm afraid though that it's rather past the point in his mind - i suspect from what you've written that there's already another woman in the wings (he's either having an affair or wants to). But at least you know in your mind you've given him a final chance to get his dick out of his ear.

See a lawyer too, even if it's 'just in case'. Do these things only after you've gathered documents together. I'd also be tempted to do a bit of snooping. I'd also maybe seek some counselling for yourself.

I'm so sorry you're going through this Sad he's being a cunt. It's not you Flowers

PaintingByNumbers · 15/08/2017 07:01

Its not you
He is having an affair and has checked out
He wants the counselling so someone else will tell you the relationship is broken, not to try and save it
I dont know what the answer is, but that is whats happening. Its not you and you cant save it on your own. The shock of leaving might make him realise what he has lost, maybe. Get all your finances and paperwork in order.

TennisAtXmas · 15/08/2017 07:03

The fact that he wanted to go to counselling is a positive OP, I really think you should try that. You seem to think there's no point, but if you don't understand what's happened with him, I think counselling may allow you both to cover things you can't say when its the two of you, and it could allow you both to find common ground.

HeddaGarbled · 15/08/2017 07:27

Sweetheart, this is heartbreaking and horrible for you but please, please go to Relate, as he is asking you to.

He is unhappy. He has made that very clear. Now, we can all throw blame around and say he's having an affair, mid-life crisis, behaving like a dick etc, some or all of which may be true. But he is being up front with you, he doesn't want to leave you but he isn't happy and he wants some changes.

You can give up and cry and go to a solicitor etc, or you can go to Relate with him like he is asking you to.

That's not to say you have to change anything about yourself to please him. You can say out loud everything you have said in your OP, he has his say and then you explore where you go from there. Your relationship may end anyway, but it sure as hell looks like it's going to if you won't even try to fix it.

BR62Y · 15/08/2017 07:45

Very mid life crisis but relate is surely worth a go if you don't want your marriage to end. This has got you splitting up, him having a few "adventures" in whatever format they are and then him realising what a mistake he has made and begging for forgiveness. Your relationship would never be the same

Relate might not work but it must be worth a go.

Butterymuffin · 15/08/2017 07:57

Agree with Hedda and the others saying go to Relate. It may not save things but it's surely worth exploring. At the same time I would start talking about what you want and about a new future for yourself. Show him you will do this without him if needs be.

It all seems to have come to a head on holiday and holidays can really intensify things. Can you go and do some things you enjoy and leave him to it, to show that you're also in need of space?

TennisAtXmas · 15/08/2017 08:06

He is having an affair and has checked out
I dont know what the answer is, but that is whats happening.
This is possible, but is not certain - I've known several men become v restless, flirt and want 'adventures', but who didn't, in the end have an affair. Please don't believe a random person knows what is going on - they can't.

TheStoic · 15/08/2017 09:14

Relate will be for him to talk about all the things that are wrong with you, and for you to turn yourself inside out trying to 'fix yourself' and make him happy.

Save yourself the heartache and spend the time and money preparing for a new, better, independent life for yourself and your kids.

Gorgosparta · 15/08/2017 09:20

Personally i would think mid-life crisis which has been brought on by him fancing this younger more exciting woman who shares his interests.

May not be an affair. She may not be interested at all. But he is envisioning a diffierent life.

Relate or similar may be good in the long run. Even if you end up splitting.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/08/2017 09:27

OP is not married.

It looks like this younger female colleague has turned his head and he has conducted an emotional affair with her for the past year. Do not accept the blame for his actions. He has totally abused his position as her manager her as well. He has her lined up and has already moved on.

You also need to get legal advice re the property asap; it will likely have to be sold.

He wants to make you the bad guy and end this relationship for him to assuage his own guilt. He cares not a jot for you nor your children at all, he has made this all about him. Your children will adapt to life without their dad in it day to day; the eldest in particular may feel a degree of relief that you and he are no longer together because he has picked up on his dad's unhappiness vibes.

Can you come home from this holiday early?. Counselling for your own self (not Relate) and without him would be helpful; you need to talk and without him interrupting in both a calm and safe environment.

HerOtherHalf · 15/08/2017 09:30

I hate terms like mid-life crisis or 7 year itch. They subconsciously abdicate the individual of responsibility by implying their behaviour is beyond their control and driven by nature. It's bollox.

OP, he's checking out and is trying to do everything to absolve himself of responsibility for his decisions, including passing the blame to you. Stop playing his game. Hold him fully accountable and start taking steps to ensure you and your kids are as best positioned as possible to move on without him. If he changes his mind and is willing to fully commit then you can reassess but until then assume it i over and focus on yourself and your needs.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/08/2017 09:30

I would also read this website www.chumplady.com/.

Find your inner self here and get bloody well angry with him for making a fool out of you. Seek legal advice asap because he may well be ahead of you in that respect as well.

Peanutbuttercheese · 15/08/2017 09:44

I after feeling very unhappy emotionally checked out of my relationship of twenty years and had a mid life crisis, though I didn't have an affair. I did spend a lot of money, it was my own and didn't affect any family finances. There had been some issues within our relationship. I had a time is running out feeling plus I have always loathed the domestic side of a relationship and every feeling I had was intensified at that time. We had become stuck in a rut and the thought of this being my life till I died in about thirty years was depressing.

I had my own epiphany as did he that this was really the end when I saw a divorce lawyer and we spoke about divorce. We did seperate for a couple of months.

What followed was about three months on and off of incredibly painful and difficult talking. We both owned up to poor behaviours and made an effort. I remember we tried a date night and it was terrible as we went to somewhere we had loved to eat out at and it just reminded me of how miserable it was now. I did also contemplate what would happen if we did split up, what would life be really like and I didn't like the thought of it.

So some relationships can survive a mid life crisis but when a third party is involved which seems to happen a lot and there are indications yours is up to something it's more difficult.

The only way to weather any relationship storm is by communication.

Beentherelefthimgotthetshirt · 15/08/2017 09:48

He's having an emotional affair with his colleague with a high chance it's got physical or will soon. An EA is as bad as a sexual affair because it's the emotional bond with her that means he's detached from you which makes him inreachable.

When he says he doesn't want to break up what he means is that he doesn't want to lose the house and pay you maintenance for the kids. As you're not married his pension is safe. You need a lawyer OP. Sooner rather than later. At the very least find out what you're not entitled to so you can start figuring things out. I wouldn't tell him that I'm seeking legal advice either.

Peanutbuttercheese · 15/08/2017 09:49

To add I had asked my DH to go to relationship counselling when I realised I was falling out of love and he refused. That made me think he didn't care about me or the relationship at all and caused me to shut down further. He actually sounds like he wants to save the relationship.

Peanutbuttercheese · 15/08/2017 09:51

But see a lawyer as well and also start looking at finances, cover all bases. Don't tell him about the lawyer I didn't until afterwards plus as not married your in a bad financial position.

Gorgosparta · 15/08/2017 09:55

I hate terms like mid-life crisis or 7 year itch. They subconsciously abdicate the individual of responsibility by implying their behaviour is beyond their control and driven by nature. It's bollox.

I dont think thats true. I have gone through phases where i wished for another life, unhappy with where i was. I would say its was life crisis (not mid as it happened at 29). But i did take responsibility. I made my life more interesting. I did it with my partner and around my family.

I didnt freeze dh out and flirt with other men. I couldnt help how i felt. I could helo what i did about it and how i treated dh and my family.

It doesnt mean there is no responsibility.

DollyBright0n · 16/08/2017 06:13

I'm so sorry **Ineverwatedthis that this has happened to you too - I find it so hard to accept that after all these years he just doesn't seem to care. It really does suck doesn't it?

Thanks everyone for all the advice and support - it's so appreciated.
I did agree to go to relate and we're waiting for an appointment. I'm willing to give it a go but I don't see how a councillor can make him love me again. We did go for an initial consultation in which he basically said I'd "turned a small issue into a huge one" meaning him saying he didn't love me the same way anymore and didn't want to be with me shouldn't have caused me to be as upset as I was. To be honest I just felt like he was trying to blame me for "creating and issue" and "ruining it all" when in fact it's him doing that.
I'm just worried that it could be months before the sessions start with relate by which time I'm going to s a complete wreck because all this has had a devastation affect on my self- esteem and I can feel my entire personality being eroded. I even find it difficult to find something other than me to talk about with my close friends because all I seem to be able to focus on is this. It's really devastating and affecting my work and relationships with other people.

I'm going to see a solicitor but does anyone have any experience regarding our house? The mortgage is now quite small so there's a lot of equity in it BUT not enough for me to buy a three bedrooms house if it were to be sold. He's a high earner so could get another mortgage and could buy a house big enough for him and kids but I could only afford a flat and they'd have to share (which won't be at all popular) from the proceeds as I don't have a good job and work part-time anyway. Is there anyway I could legally remain in the house with the boys until they're 18? We're not married by the way. I don't need to worry about his pension because he never bothered setting one up - he's good at sticking his head in the sand when something happens he doesn't like, like sorting out a pension. This was our main area of conflict before all this.

I still can't quite believe what's happening.......

OP posts:
Neverwantedthis · 16/08/2017 07:50

The bit about wanting it turned back on you sounds familiar too.

My dh told me he didn't feel the same, he was miserable, didn't want to do counselling etc. I told him to leave as I deserved better. He now frequently uses the line that this wasn't his choice! This is despite fact that after about 2 months I asked whether we were on a break and going to see if we could work things out and he gave a certain, nope, no future for us, so it clearly was what he was after he just wasn't man enough to make the move himself so made my life hell so I made him go.

I think what hurts the most is how quickly he gave up on us and how little he tried to save us. This is why I'm waiting for OW to appear but he seems to be playing long game as he won't want to tarnish his reputation any further.

I also understand what you're saying about it basically being all you can think about. I'm the same, it seems to just constantly be on my mind.

I'm sorry I don't know about your financial position. We were married so slightly different I expect. Hopefully someone will be along soon that may have some experience. I just wanted you to know that you aren't alone.

mummytime · 17/08/2017 09:14

Okay practicals. If you are not in Scotland and are the primary carer you are likely to be awarded the greater percentage of the house, or the house.

Second you do not have to wait for relate. If you can no longer put up with the situation you can decide to end the marriage. Him saying he no longer loves you or wants to be with you is pretty "unreasonable" behaviour.

DollyBright0n · 20/08/2017 06:22

Sorry - Neverwanted this, I've had no internet connection for A few days. Thanks so much for your reply, so sorry yours is doing the same thing as mine. Acting like a total arse then trying to blame the other person for their pathetic and unreasonable behaviour. It's just awful.
Everything has got worse for me really - he's basically said OW is the only person in the entire world who understands him and that he can talk about our problems! This is despite admitting a few months ago that things had maybe gone too far (he's her manager!) and he was going to stop taking her for lunch every day and try and cool things down. He's spoken in depth about our relationship to her "my partner doesn't understand me" type thing no doubt. Apparently it's been really difficult for him and he needed someone to talk to. Can you hear those tiny violins? Poor him.
He thinks I've forced him straight into her arms with my unreasonable behaviour by wanting to talk about why he doesn't love me anymore rather than just ignoring it and letting him have his cake! Well, he's going to have an awful lot to talk to her about once this holiday is over - he's out! I'm going to start a new thread regarding my rights where the house is concerned - I'm hoping my DCs can stay in it with me but not sure I can afford it on my own.
We had such a great life together and we were such a tight family unit - I find it difficult to understand how he can do this just because one pretty girl is stroking his pathetic male ego. Our DCs will be utterly devastated. He just doesn't seem to appreciate the damage he's doing to us.

OP posts: