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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

Do I have an awful marriage? How can I leave?

23 replies

WishfulWanderer · 18/02/2018 21:10

I don't know where to start.
But I know I am utterly desperate. Sorry for the long post.

I am now 40. I was with DH (45) for less than a year before we fell pregnant and got married. Now married 12 years, and have 3 kids 5, 7 and 11. He wants more, I don't because of how unhappy I am in the marriage. We have had no sex life for a year, I can't bear the thought of it, we sleep in separate rooms. He still shows me affection, but I don't want it. He works full time and has a job with international travel so I am often alone with the children. I work part time, do all the school run, lunches, organise the house, meals etc.

We have had some terrible downers, he accused me of an affair with a friend, which I never had, and to this day he still does not believe I did not sleep with this man. I admitted being interested in this man and was flirtatious with him, but nothing happened.

He was verbally abusive to me during all the pregnancies, always for a different reason. First time just ignored me, and complained about having to take me to appointments, even got extremely angry. Second one angry that I had apparently been 'moody' to his parents when they visited unannounced and stayed 2 weeks. Final one he was angry about my 'supposed' affair and would say awful things to me, like "I bet you enjoyed having his dck in you" when I was heavily pregnant calling me a sag and the c word.

We have had couples counselling for 2 years, and though some of his behaviour changed, I still don't feel happy. Obviously he denies there is anything wrong with any of his behaviour and says everything is my fault.

He continues to be snappy, moody, grumpy, he is a loner socially, and prefers us all to stay at home. He hates my 3 closest friends but doesn't mind the not so close ones, but hates when I go out. He sometimes shouts at the children, and I have NEVER been able to resolve conflict without it ending in an argument. The children complain about him to me, and he says they are making it up, I'm inclined to believe them, but also so confused. On the plus side he is a good provider, and can be very nice, he buys flowers every week for me, but it feels meaningless.

I have recently started to feel very depressed, and instead of him being around more he has taken more work on, which means he has to travel more, I resent him for this. To add to that he says he needs a break so has planned a weekend away with his siblings. I feel it is selfish of him because of how sad I feel and on the edge. I have stopped cooking, shopping, I'm feeding the kids instant food, crying all the time.

I feel like this marriage ended a long time ago, and we are both in denial. I constantly feel like I should file for divorce, but I am so scared, I don't want to ruin my children's lives, as I know he will make it an utter misery for me and them. He has already told me he will move overseas and I wont get a penny off him. I wont be able to afford to live and raise three children. I also suffer from PTSD from childhood, I am terrified of being alone in case the same thing happens to me again, or in case I can't function alone because of the severe PTSD anxiety.

I don't think anyone else would even want me.

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 18/02/2018 21:17

Everything will be better without him; you sound so unhappy and life is just too short for this

DPotter · 18/02/2018 21:21

You don’t need our permission to leave an abusive relationship. Actually you don’t need anyone’s permission to leave any relationship. If it’s not working for you or your children, it’s ok to step away.

For what it’s worth, I think your DH is emotionally abusive to you and your children. If you left the marriage and he moved abroad, could be the best outcome. You wouldn’t be rich on benefits, but you wouldn’t be working on egg shells, your children wouldn’t be abused and neither would you. You would be free of the yoke around your shoulders which would leave you more energy to care for your children and yourself.

Your children are suffering so if nothing else you owe it to them to improve their lives

DPotter · 18/02/2018 21:21

Walking on egg shells, not working

nicelyneurotic · 18/02/2018 21:24

Make an appointment with a solicitor. You don't have to do anything yet. Take advice and start making plans - you may be entitled to spousal maintenence. I do think you'll be better off without him. He sounds absolutely terrible.

Rainbowsandflowers78 · 18/02/2018 21:26

You post starts rational/reasoned and then gets worse. Like you are truly admitting to yourself how bad it is and how you feel. At the start you are sort of holding yourself back a bit more.
Really really be honest with yourself only you know what the right decision should be

Poshindevon · 18/02/2018 21:30

Yes, you do have an awful marriage and I am sure you are suffering from depression. You need to seek medical health imediately.
The best people to speak to is Womens Aid they can give you a lot of support.
Seeing a solicitor about your rights and what your entitled to will also allay your fears.
Your husband is a controlling bully and although you cannot see it now, you and the children would be better off without him.

gamerchick · 18/02/2018 21:30

I think your first step would be to visit the GP about your obvious depression. You won’t be able to see the wood from the trees until it lifts a bit. Also talk to your friends, you need them right now Flowers

HappyFeet1212 · 18/02/2018 21:31

Sounds like he's cheated on you, that's why he's accused you. It hard to believe but it's a common deflection tactic.

You are my 1st LTB. You can do this. You deserve to be happy.

Ellapaella · 18/02/2018 21:37

Yes your marriage sounds awful. Have you told close friends and family what you have told us here? I'm sure they would support you to leave him if you did. Life is just too short for this kind of misery, sounds like your kids are telling you they'd be happier without him as well. I wish you well and hope you find the strength to leave... I know you are terrified of being alone but you won't be, you will still have your children with you and your close friends who I'm sure will not be surprised by this if you open up and tell them.

AnneLovesGilbert · 18/02/2018 21:42

Please leave. You and your children will be so much happier Flowers

WishfulWanderer · 18/02/2018 21:44

Ellapaella - I have not told anyone in my family, they often see us as the model family so it will be a shock to them. I have told 2 close friends, one has always told me I should divorce him. The other friend finds it hard to believe as he behaves so differently when she's around, but she accepts what I say, and finds it disturbing.

He confuses me so much, by being nice one minute, awful the next, buying gifts, the telling me I am bullying him and need to stop. He even bought me a book once on how to stop being a bully. I know I am not a bully. I feel like he's tried hard to make me self doubt, but I might be wrong.

OP posts:
Greggsxo · 18/02/2018 21:46

Daaaaaamn you need to leave him. If not for you for the kiddies. No way, father and man, should he say his kids are lying about what they feel/say about him.

NotTheFordType · 18/02/2018 21:59

He has already told me he will move overseas and I wont get a penny off him.

Yay! That takes care of your "hell use t e kids against me" you fear

NotTheFordType · 18/02/2018 22:00

Visit entitled to website. You'll be okay. You won't be rolling in luxuries but you and the kids will b e fine.

Rainbowsandflowers78 · 18/02/2018 22:00

It’s called projection. They accuse you of what they are doing themselves

AugustMoon · 18/02/2018 22:17

Yes it sounds pretty awful. I know it all feels like real, that he'll take the kids/ use them against you, wont pay a penny etc. but its all empty threats to keep you on a backfoot. He wont do any of those things because you will take away his power over you. Your marriage sounds awful and you would be way better off leaving him. Its not easy but you'll be proud you did it. And it wouldn't ruin the kids lives. You'll probably find there'll just be more harmony without the underlying tension your H is generating with his accusations and disrespect of you.

Would he leave if you ended it? If you think so, see a solicitor. Otherwise make a plan to leave. Apply for benefits and squirrel some funds aside. Good luck.

WishfulWanderer · 18/02/2018 22:22

AugustMoon - thank you for your reply. No he wouldn't leave, well not straight away, he has said in the past that he would go in his own good time, and told me that I am never going to be able to throw him out. He would rather stay for a while, make the atmosphere awful, take out his frustrations on us as a punishment for the divorce.

OP posts:
Cambionome · 18/02/2018 22:23

You have an absolutely terrible marriage, and you need to get away from this horrible man as soon as you can.

Want2beme · 18/02/2018 22:34

What unbelievably disgusting behaviour. Good people don't behave like that. You and your DC will be so much better off without him. No wonder you don't want him near you. I hope you can end things soon.

Sickoffamilydrama · 18/02/2018 22:41

It doesn't sound like a good marriage or a good father if the kids are complaining about him and he's making out they lie.

It's time to plan an exit, yes it would be great to get rid of him now but you and the kids deserve financial security. when he's next away gather evidence of all his finances, see a solicitor get everything lined up. Even if he does move abroad you still might be able to get money off him if he's employment is based in the UK I could be wrong though so this is why you need to see a solicitor.

Once you have everything lined up the next time he goes away or even is out for the whole day get the locks changed.

He's ground you down time to fight back.

lookingforthedroids · 18/02/2018 23:01

This man is evil. You will not ruin your children's lives by leaving him - he is already ruining their lives by treating their mother so appallingly. You and your children will be far better off without him.

The children complain about him to you, and he says they are making it up? No, they aren't making it up. You must believe your children. He is abusing them as well as you.

IDismyname · 18/02/2018 23:07

Knowledge is power. Go and see 1. Your GP for help with your depression and 2. A solicitor. Try and get both done this week.

Knowing where you stand will give you the confidence to see that you can take this forward and LTB.

smartiecake · 19/02/2018 09:25

Sounds awful OP but you are still young and have so much life ahead of you. Leave and be happy. You and your children deserve that. I think you should also speak to your GP you sound like you could be depressed or just need emotional support at the moment. Maybe they could refer you to counselling. And when he is away book a free consultation with a solicitor for family law and find out what your options are. It will take time but start to reach out to people and family and friends. You will get support to help you move on from this horrible man

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