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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

Am I overacting for feeling like I can't forgive what he said?

72 replies

ListenToYourHeart · 03/09/2017 16:18

There's a massive back story as me and dp have for a long time struggled to not argue about nearly everything but I need to just get the current thing out as it's really upset me.

When I first met DP I had a DD from a previous relationship, because I was a SAHM until she was around 5 I hadn't really had a career but was working a job that suited me in terms of hours, the wage was around 15k so not much but it was enough to pay my half of the bills with DP, save a couple hundred a month and still live a decent/comfortable lifestyle.

Anyway me and DP have been together a few years when last year I fell pregnant, it wasn't fully planned but we both was happy. DP wanted me to be a SAHM, I wasn't sure at first as I'd got used to having my own money and being financially independent. Id left a previous relationship with nothing due to being a SAHM so I was nervous.

DP made 2 promises when I was pregnant, 1 being that if I gave up my job to care for the baby we would open a joint bank account so I would feel like I still had some money etc. I still wasn't sure.

Then work made 5 redundancies out of only 8 staff, I had a frank conversation with my boss and she said the business was failing, they was in a lot of debt and they were thinking of closing down, this was around a month before I was due to go on maternity leave, they assured me I'd get my SMP but said they wasn't sure what was gunna come of the business over the next 6 months.

I had some pregnancy related illness and was really stressed with a bunch of other stuff going on so I took my maternity leave a month early, I felt like I was in a really vulnerable position and DP started again about making the decision to be a SAHM so I agreed. Whilst on maternity leave I handed in my notice.

Now DD is 8 months old, and DP has made me feel so unequal, inadequate and I don't feel part of any decision making anymore.

In February I asked for us to sort the joint account, he told me he had changed his mind, instead of a joint account he would give me £200 a month to cover some of the shopping and anything I needed for myself, my daughter and baby. I said but this wasn't what we agreed and I didn't feel it was fair that I would have no control over finances and that he knew that was a big thing to me before deciding to leave my job, so instead I've been using my savings for myself and just let him pay the bills/shopping/etc.

Coincidently he's had big progression in his job and has gone from around 20k to 33k. Since this his changed, I can't put my finger on why but he makes me feel worthless, any decisions that get made he keeps separate from me and they all fall down to "well I'm paying the bills".

He had a bad credit rating due to debt, he has very recently sorted this so wants to get something big on finance, I said in my opinion it was a bad idea, and this has caused a massive argument. Where again I've been reminded I'm the gf who stays at home and looks after the baby not makes decisions on how he spends his wage.

We need to move soon and today I brought up something regarding this, he turned it back to the argument about getting something on finance.

Anyway today he snapped at me and said
"You're just jealous cause my life is progressing and yours ain't"

So I took my older DD and walked out, we've come to the cinema where I've had tears stream down my face cause him saying that has summed up exactly how he's been making me feel for the past 7months.

I've told him he makes me feel inadequate to him and I've tried saying that we should be a team and that he wouldn't be able to balance work as easy if he had to be childcare as well as me if I went back to work.

But he's changed so much since DD has been born, I love being a SAHM to her but I feel broken inside because I don't have a income I'm worthless.

I don't want to talk to him, I don't want to go home to him, I don't even know if I want to be with him anymore.

Sorry for the long ramble, and if it don't make sense. I think I just needed to get it out and don't have anyone in RL to talk to.

OP posts:
Moanyoldcow · 03/09/2017 16:47

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time - it's hard enough with a new baby without having to deal with all that nonsense on top of it.

All couples have to find a way to split finances whenever there is a disparity in earnings. Personally, I feel both parties should have equal control over finances and unfettered 'spending' money but the key is reaching an agreement.

Your DP doesn't value the work you do in the home. He doesn't think of you as being his equal and he is being financially abusive.

He promised one thing and now he has you in a vulnerable position where you are reliant on him. He feels he can treat you badly and knows you don't have the means to leave easily: he's trapped you.

If I were you I'd be moving on. I'd be asking for support from my family whilst you get on your feet (if that's possible). I'd also start looking for work. Get your own money so you don't have to rely on that jerk.

Much luck OP. Your partner sounds awful and I hope you can find a way out.

Moanyoldcow · 03/09/2017 16:50

Also, you are NOT worthless because you don't have an income - you are bringing up your child and that has much value. Your partner should be doing all he can to build you up, not run you down.

RJnomore1 · 03/09/2017 16:51

I'd be moving on too love.

He's being financially and emotionally abusive.

He thinks he has you backed into the corner and he's acting the big I Am.

You would be much better off without him making you feel like shit.

RandomMess · 03/09/2017 16:59

He clearly happy you are "stuck" with him Sad only you're not Flowers

Boatmistress17 · 03/09/2017 17:05

Agree your relationship is very one sided and he doesn't care if you are happy or not.
Tell him you are better off financially and emotionally if you split up and claim dc support and go back to work. .

ListenToYourHeart · 03/09/2017 17:14

I just feel so stupid that I didn't see this coming.

We was always such a great team, and split everything. We talked so much when I was pregnant about how it would be and how we would work finance.

I've always been so careful with money and never been in debt so he had no reason to be against a joint account. And he didn't when I was pregnant, said he realised it would be easier etc, he's wage would go in and I said I'd have the child benefit set up to go in, id also said if we needed extra cash then I'd get a evening/weekend job and then that could go in the joint account so it's not like we hadn't discussed it at length. But now it's all so different, I've gone from being part of a team to having zero say on anything.

I started applying for jobs on Friday, so tonight I'm going to go over my CV and continue applying.

Just can't shake the feeling that my whole world is crashing around me, and I'm drowning trying to hold everything together for the children.

I don't really have any family support, my parents are elderly so can't really help.

OP posts:
thisfamily · 03/09/2017 17:15

Going back to work would be good for your self-esteem. He only told you to be a SAHM so he could have more control.
He is not acting like a partner who is in it too. After all he is the dad too.

RJnomore1 · 03/09/2017 17:18

Well done for starting looking at jobs.

TheNaze73 · 03/09/2017 17:22

Getting a job would be a great start. Good luck

expatinscotland · 03/09/2017 17:26

Definitely start looking for jobs. He's being financially and emotionally abusive.

TheHumanRace · 03/09/2017 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Loopytiles · 03/09/2017 17:30

Seek paid WOH asap and have a plan to manage financially alone, as it sounds like you will decide to LTB.

Boatmistress17 · 03/09/2017 17:33

When you get a job don't forget to give him his bill for 50%of the childcare...

TheNoseyProject · 03/09/2017 17:33

Do you have sufficient funds to leave him if you want to? Could you move in with your parents (I know you said they can't help but could you live with them in an emergency)? I'm just trying to work out how badly he's screwed with you.

I know you'd hate it, but in a dire fix to reach out to your friends and acquaintances, you'll be surprised how much people care and help.

SonicBoomBoom · 03/09/2017 17:37

Good luck with your CV and job applications. That's a very positive step to take for you and your DC.

ListenToYourHeart · 03/09/2017 17:43

I've applied for a mixture of jobs full/part time/weekends/evenings.. so that hopefully something will come up quickly. However I have a feeling he may refuse to go half on the childcare and then I'll be no better off as my income will be eaten up by that.

When we discussed me being a SAHM that was part of his point, that any income I made would be wasted on childcare, so I said not really as we would be halving everything including childcare but his point was it would all be family money, and whatever I was putting in would be counteracted with childcare costs.

OP posts:
shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 03/09/2017 17:45

You are not overreacting at all, he sounds like a nasty piece of work.

I would definitely be plotting a plan of escape for you and your DDs

ListenToYourHeart · 03/09/2017 17:46

@TheHumanRace

Your post has made me feel a lot less anxious. I should see this as a epiphany and wake up call.

I'm going to shit down and think about what I want and I can work something out so it's better for me and the DC.

OP posts:
thisfamily · 03/09/2017 17:46

You are still in a better position if you need to leave with a job.

yetmorecrap · 03/09/2017 17:57

It's one reason OP that in my opinion it always pays to keep your hand in work wise. It's so very easy to end up totally reliant, words and promises are cheap! Either way whatever happens in the future, if you are in work you will be in a better position

MadameJosephine · 03/09/2017 18:09

Sorry he's turned out to be such a twat OP. Its horrible for him to make you feel so vulnerable. Definitely 'get your ducks in a row' as mumsnet is so fond of saying. Get a job, kick him arse out and you and your kids will probably end up better off without him Flowers

nicenewdusters · 03/09/2017 18:10

This is a horrible situation for you OP, but ultimately he has done you a favour. He's said out loud what you've been feeling inside for a long time, but probably couldn't quite put your finger on it.

It's actually his life that will stop progressing. You'll go back into paid employment, continue being the main carer for your dc, and a whole new world will open up for you.

He'll be a saddo Disney dad (I suspect) no longer seeing his dc every day. What then? New girlfriend? What if she's got a job, what if she wants dc, what if she won't be a SAHM? I suspect he'll be crashing in the same car for years to come.

JustHereForThePooStories · 03/09/2017 18:26

Best of luck with the job hunt.

Once you have an income again, get your ducks in a row and get out of this relationship. He's abusive and you can't rely on him in your future.

timeisnotaline · 03/09/2017 18:33

Once you have separated and sorted our contact he will have to contribute set amounts and times ... he will be worse off for trying to hang onto everything.

ClownsAndJokers · 03/09/2017 18:41

You are doing great to have listened to your instincts and be doing something about your situation. Best of luck with the job search!

Don't forget that as a single parent you would be entitled to tax credits, help with childcare and help with housing costs depending on income...

Definitely time to put yourself first. It doesn't sound like he will.

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