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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

I feel so unhappy and don't know what to do.

127 replies

Cajb18 · 23/03/2018 22:04

I feel pretty lost and confused right now. I've been with my husband for 18 years but the last 5 have been really hard. It feels like it has just been one obstacle after another. He's secretive and doesn't share what he's done with his day, people he's seen, conversations he's had. He doesn't discuss his days at all.

He is not able to show any affection, gropes me everytime he comes near me, which makes me feel cheap. He thinks he is entitled to put his hand down my trousers or up my top anytime he feels like it, and gets grumpy when I ask him not too. He is unable to give me a simple cuddle without groping. He needs attention from other women and is a huge flirt. It's very rare we go anywhere without some women catching his attention followed by the sly looks, then the secret smiles start. Which is humiliating for me and I just want to run away from him and the situation. It's the mums at school and our children's out of school clubs that I find the most humiliating the secret smirks from the mums that they know my husband is interested in them. He is also addicted to sex. For the most part of our relationship he hasn't ever let me get a full night sleep and has always woke me up every few hours for sex. It's felt like constant torture. I've felt so tired for years, walking around like a zombie. Making constant excuses to my friends and work colleagues because I cant tell them the truth about what my husband is really like, mainly because I don't want them to dislike him.

I'd finally had enough when I caught him secretly filming me in the shower on his phone. I had a panic attack and told him to leave. After a week I let him back because the kids were missing him so much and he is a brilliant father. We went to relate for a year which helped a little but the therapist was female bad actually said she found hi. Very charming which if I hadn't of hears myself I wouldn't have believed. She was more taken in by his lies and crap than by helping us. Having said that, he did get a little better allowing me to get some nights sleep. He still doesn't show me any affection and I've had enough of his flirting. The humiliation makes me feel so sad, like me and his kids aren't enough for him. I've told him how it makes me feel but he denies doing it and tells me it's all in my head. I feel trapped and lonely, but then I think to myself , am I just been petty? after all it's only flirting, he makes my tea most nights, helps me with the house and kids, and provides for us. What do I do. I forgive him but hate him at the same time for how he is. Do I break up the family and leave him, or stay and put up with his flirting and me living without any affection from him?

OP posts:
Porpoises · 24/03/2018 11:40

I'm disgusted to read how he treats you. How dare he?

Young children are designed to adore their parents. It doesn't mean that the parent is a decent person.

SevenStones · 24/03/2018 11:40

You leave him. This man does not idolise you - far from it. You're being abused, not idolised.

I was psychologically abused in my marriage. Eventually I couldn't stand the marriage any more, but it wasn't until some time afterwards that I learned that it was abuse, and that it wasn't my fault, and that he wasn't just a difficult man and couldn't help it, but that he had been systematically wearing away at me.

Even now, several years later something will come into my mind and surprise me and I'll question myself. Luckily, my real self can step in and set me back on the right road of thought again.

It's a long road, but this is only your first step. Flowers

MyBrilliantDisguise · 24/03/2018 11:45

You say you have two older daughters. I don't want to make you worry unnecessarily, but have you asked them whether he's ever done anything to them? He seems hyper-sexual and I would be amazed if he hadn't at least watched them. I know it's a horrible thing to say, but I think it would really be worth checking with them.

As for your younger son, he is learning how to be a man by watching his father - do you want that example for him?

Fatandfrigid · 24/03/2018 12:12

He wakes you up every few hours for sex?

What a horrible thing to do.

Please , lovely lady, get out of this situation.

If he’s a good father he will still be a good father even if you split up.

MammaH2018 · 24/03/2018 12:40

He doesn’t idolise you sweetie. He’s a fucking pervert who you know has set cameras up to video you! That’s a fucking criminal offence in its own right.
That, plus the sexual assault/rape/coercive control..... this vile man needs to be locked up. He’s a predator, don’t deluded yourself any longer.

PerfectlyDone · 24/03/2018 12:44

Oh, honey Sad

His behaviour towards you is not actually about sex, it's all about control.

And you are isolated from family and previous friends? Yep, that's another tick in the 'abuser' box.
Please reach out and speak either with a trained abuse counsellor (on your own! - not with charming him) or a family member or friend you could confide in to.

If you tell them only a fraction of what you have written here, their hearts will go out to you.

Branleuse · 24/03/2018 12:48

He sounds like a narcissist who only sees you as a sexual object. He cant even have a normal chat with you about his day. He sexually abuses you and refuses any emotional intimacy? No wonder youre not happy. Your children will be thinking this type of relationship is normal. It isnt. How would you advise your daughter or your sister if they confessed they were living like this.
I think hes abusing you. You do not have to live like this. You are your own person. You do not belong to him.

Tattybogle89 · 24/03/2018 12:57

It was me who mentioned comditionlooks my and it’s most definitely happened here.
You are so used to behaviour that is NOT normal.

I am so glad you have woken up and realised that you are worth more. Reading this makes me so angry at Him.

He buys spy cameras?! Are you KIDDING me?! That can’t be legal.. To spy on people and record sexual encounters without their permission. (I assume that’s his plans and I bet it’s happened and you don’t know it)

I would involve the police. They could find any of this stuff for you before a messy break up. I hope this doesnt upset you but it reads like it’s torally possible he’s recorded you.

Does he have a tablet/laptop he is quite protective over or spends a lot of time on?

You say you sled him to sleep on couch. That’s great but be careful he doesn’t catch on to your bed plans to leave/kick him out too early.

X

mm2one · 24/03/2018 12:57

Hi OP, I am a male and have been married to my spouse for roughly about the same time as you two have.

FWIW, from what I am reading, your husband sounds like a sexually addicted sociopath who doesn't have any respect or consideration for his spouse or her feelings. How old is this guy? Sex is great but it makes up only one part of a marriage. The other parts are friendship, respect, consideration, love.

I am sure he is very charming, -- all socio-paths are, but the bottom line is, if he is completely oblivious to how you are feeling, you need to talk to him and let him know. The stuff about filming you without your knowledge or consent is just plain weird. What would he do if you filmed him naked and posted it online or showed it to your friends?

Tattybogle89 · 24/03/2018 12:58

Excuse my typos I wrote in a hurry*

Olddear · 24/03/2018 13:04

He makes my skin crawl. And I guarantee I'm not the only one. All those women he flirts with? I can assure you, not all of them are enjoying it, they think he's a creep too. I bet they're all having a good laugh about him behind his back or find they have somewhere else to be when they see him coming.
It's not you. It's more definitely him

Doingreat · 24/03/2018 13:34

Op. I had to reread the bit where you wrote he wakes you up in the middle of the night for sex as I thought I was reading it wrong. But no. That's what you wrote. It's just unbelievable. This is incredibly selfish and disrespectful behavior. He doesn't care about what you want at all. He has broken several laws. He disregards your wishes completely and thinks he has a greater right to your body than you do.

OP he doesn't adore you. He FEITSHIZES your body. He treats you as a sex object. He doesn't see you as a person that's why he's not affectionate with you.

The cameras he tried to set up is seriously worrying. What if he has recordings of you?
Please report him. He may go on to do this to others after you if you don't. If you report him who knows what the police may discover about him.

You say he's not a monster. You are minimising his vile behaviour. Of course he is an absolute monster. He has conditioned you to accept that his behaviour isn't that bad. His behaviour IS that bad.

I'm sorry if I sound harsh. I really hope you get out of this abusive relationship and that he pays for what he's put you through. Yes I know you don't want to report him or see him go to prison. He is the father of your children. But he has committed serious crimes against you. And every criminal is somebody's child, somebody's husband, somebody's father.

lynmilne65 · 24/03/2018 13:50

comdition what ????

Tattybogle89 · 24/03/2018 15:17
  • conditioning (I did say excuse my typos..)
Cajb18 · 24/03/2018 19:52

Unicorns and rainbows3, thank you for the link. I'm going to have a look tonight when it's quiet.

Doingreat, everything you say is right. I more or less said the same to him last week, that he treats me as a sex object and thinks he has more right to my body than I. The reason I'm always tired is because I don't give into him. That's why he tries all night. I cringe when I say this but I'm so used to it now that when I feel his hands on me but am to tired to challenge him. I will just ignore him, leave him to it and try and remain asleep. He usually gives up after 15, 20 mins but will then try again a bit later. I don't know how he's never tired, he doesnt get any sleep. He says he doesn't know he's doing it, that he's asleep but I know he's lying. Sometimes I go sleep downstairs and the next morning he will come down all cheery like everything is fine and nothing has happened. The weekends are the worst and expects it more because I don't have to get up for work.

I usually stay up until 2am ish, hoping he will have fallen asleep but he never has and as soon as I get in bed his hands are on me. I went through a fase of drinking on a weekend to try and comatose myself, but that didn't work out well as he would just take advantage of my state, So I don't drink that much now.

Because he's always said its me that's boring, fridges , unreasonable etc, I have some how doubted myself. But now that I have had all your opinions and support it has give me a strength to stand up to him. I know it's not me now.

Mybrilliantdisguise - your question was valid. But I can 100% say he has never interfered with my older 2. I came from a home with a very violent father, physically and sexually abusive to my mum and sister. My mum was an alcoholic and my father would make my mum sleep with other men. I saw him regularly beat her and we all would have to ignore the bruises my mum would walk around with. As soon as I was 16 I left and haven't really had anything to do with them since. I know the signs and have been very careful to look out for them and have always spoken to my girls from a young age, I know he hasn't or wouldn't touch them. Believe it or not, our house has lots of laughter. I refuse to argue in front of the children and everything that goes on is out of their eyes. Although he does touch me constantly they are sly touches when the kids can't see and if they do see their daddy touching mums bum etc. I say to them, your daddy is naughty and shouldn't do that to mummy, I tell them not to do that to others or let others do that to them. I make my husband apologies to me infront of them. I've previously gone ballistic at my husband and he knows not to touch me when they can see. My kids will always come first and i will never let them be damaged in anyway. My kids are honestly very happy and looked after.

I stand by, I am going to find a house to rent. And by reading these posts over and over, it is going to give me the strength I need not to give in. My first marriage was to a man who constantly put me down, told me I was fat even though I was 7.5 st and made me anorexic, cheated on me constantly and was a compulsive liar. Now I'm with someone who fancies me to much (not that I'm shutting special, not ugly , not gorgeous, just average) , but is probably still a compulsive liar, a passive aggressive and a lot worse.

I think women see me as a bit of a bitch because I put a bravado on. I have a nice car, a nice house, a good job and to the outside world my life probs looks good. In reality, I suffer from anxiety, have no friends, am not good at socialising any more and prefer to be with my own company. If only people knew what goes on behind closed doors.

I can't thank you all enough for your comments and strength. I'm still shocked. I was only expecting maybe one response if I was lucky.

OP posts:
Tattybogle89 · 24/03/2018 21:34

@Cajb18 I think it will help you to keep posting. Keep getting it all out and putting your feelings down to re read later.
The comments are all the same so you can see it’s him who is in the wrong. Looking over these comments will be helpful along the way if there is no one in real life to chat this over with.
You sound like you know what you need to do and that’s great. You will feel empowered when you leave and can sleep in peace. Drift off into a DEEP sleep without that dreading feeling of creeping hands to contend with.
You sound like a great mum too, for what it’s worth Flowers

BiologyMatters · 24/03/2018 21:37

Your posts are heartbreaking. He's raping you. Over and over again. Im so sorry, how strong you must be to put up with him and put on a brave face, day after day. Imagine a life on your own away from him. To be able to close the door on the world and know that nobody will touch you if you don't want them to. This is genuinely one of the worst threads I've ever read and I've been here for about 8 years. Is there anyone in the world you can start opening up to? You've got NOTHING to be ashamed of. Your husband is a predator and a monster.

BiologyMatters · 24/03/2018 21:37

And i very much doubt anyone thinks you're a bitch. That's your low self esteem talking.

Thinkingofausername1 · 24/03/2018 22:21

He sounds awful. Ltb!!! you will be on your own but won't have to put up with that crap.

Cajb18 · 24/03/2018 22:26

Biologymatters ref to closing doors. We have a ensuite and every morning before work I have a shower. Most mornings he comes in either to stand there and watch me have a shower or to try and get in (I never let him) I hate it. My routine is to put 2 full length towels over the shower screen to stop him seeing him unless he deliberately moves them, which sometimes he does. Anyway, I'm that tense about him coming in that I rush to get in and out as fast I can. It's an awful feeling and I hate it. Anyway, we've just recently had a flood and can't use the ensuite. I'm using the family bathroom, which has a lock on the door. I've haven't enjoyed or felt so relaxed in the shower for a long time. So much so that I don't want to our shower fixed. It just reminded me of that when you said close the door and no-one will touch me - I know that feeling thought the shower experience. It's such a safe feeling, knowing I'm safe and can't be watched or touched because the door it's locked.

OP posts:
MotherTERF · 24/03/2018 22:38

Hello Cajb,

Just another voice saying that I hope you find the courage to leave. It might be difficult in the short term, but imagine how much better life will be to live free from sexual harassment, humiliation and constant intrusion. I feel short of breath reading your posts, so can't imagine how claustrophobic it must be living it. Awful.

Stay strong and know that it will all be worth it!!

xxxx

Aminuts23 · 24/03/2018 22:50

Good lord you poor poor thing. He’s a vile excuse for a human. I’ve never heard of such disrespectful repulsive behaviour. My skin crawls thinking of it. I’m glad you’re leaving him. You will need time and space to recover from this longstanding abuse. I hope you have RL support. Please keep posting here and getting it all out. It sounds like you need the validation and support and you’ll find that in spades here. Sounds like you’re ready to take control back. Be brave and strong because you are worth far far more than this Flowers

Doingreat · 24/03/2018 22:58

Oh OP. Your last 2 posts were heart breaking.

He pesters you for sex ALL NIGHT LONG. I hope karma comes for him and his dick falls off for that alone.

You walk around permanently exhausted as a result

You would drink yourself into a stupor to avoid his advances but he only took advantage of your inebriated state

He dares to call you frigid and boring. When the problem is that he is a disgusting sleazeball with no respect for you

You say others probably think you're a bitch. I think the truth is that people probably think you're a reserved and dignified woman. Because you are. Please try and open up to others IRL if you can. It will be such a relief. Believe me some people must know what that your husband is a creepy flirt. People do know that appearances can be deceptive. The number of women who have commented on your thread alone about their ex partners being charming on the outside and vile on the inside should tell you that such men are not rare.

Maybe you can confide in someone at work? Or at least get some counselling for yourself. It will be such a huge relief for you to be able to vocalise and name the things he has done to you.

Thinking of you OP.

MaryPeary · 24/03/2018 23:00

Bloody hell, @Cajb18, that's creepy. I can only think of 2 possibilities when he moves the towels that you've put there for privacy. Either :

  1. He doesn't know that you're uncomfortable being watched, in which case he must be incredibly stupid - why did he think you put the towels there?
Or 2. He knows it makes you uncomfortable, and doesn't care, because how you feel doesn't matter. All that matters is what he wants.

Either way, he's showing no empathy with you.

My mum and dad had one of these relationships where he treated her as a sex object, although I think at the time she enjoyed some feeling of power from it. But I know she never used to get a decent night's sleep because he'd want to have sex for hours every single night, regardless of how tired she was. Now they're older, she's bitter about it and feels like she wasted years on him and allowed herself to be controlled. I don't know what to say to her when she says she should have put a stop to it years ago. I do know what to say to you, though - you only get one life. Don't waste it feeling like this.

WellAndTrulyCurbed · 24/03/2018 23:02

You say that it has become 'normal' and it has but do you also realise that this it the 'normal' you are giving your children. Don't for one minute believe they won't know or understand the way you are treated in this relationship. They see and feel EVERYTHING, even if they don't outwardly seem to and it will shape who they become and the relationships they then seek.

Your husband is NOT a brilliant father btw. He just isn't.