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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 being silly?

46 replies

TheSnootiestFox · 28/03/2018 11:58

Right, I'm going to run my current predicament past you wise lot. Please tell me straight how it is. . .

I've been with dh for 15 years, married for 13 and we have 2 ds who are 8 and nearly 10. I have posted about this before but need some honesty right now after another night awake and in tears.

Before we got married sex was never spectacular but every time I tried to tell him that I didn't think we were 'working' I got a raft of 'please, don't, I'm tired/stressed/ busy and when I get xyz sorted you'll be beating me off with a big stick.'

He was/is a nice lad and having been hurt before and then single for a few years with not even anyone remotely interested on the horizon, I stuck with it. We got married, it was 3 months afterwards before he finally slept with me and even then I felt like I'd raped him because I'd kicked up such a fuss. Sex was rare afterwards, he'd just climb on me, wait for me to put him inside me and then climb off when finished. And I can think of 1 occasion in our entire relationship when I didn't have to initiate it.

And things have never improved. He has ED and trying to have the boys was a bloody nightmare, he needed viagra and even then it didn't work. On both occasions after he got me pregnant he didn't touch me and after ds1 was conceived we didn't have sex again until he was 13 months and we started trying for ds2. After ds2 it was 8 years after his conception and that was only because I'd been having an EA with someone fab and he'd given me the confidence to assert myself a bit more.

Financially he's a nightmare, he's moved in with me, I sold my flat for twice what it was worth and put the deposit down on a family home with the deal being I'd pay for the kitchen/bathroom/stuff and he'd do the diy to finish it. 13 years on and I'm still waiting- for example we've had bare walls in our hall since 2004.

I was a teacher and always earnt more than him, I had to go back to work full time when the kids were 5 months old and he wouldn't listen when I said I wanted to go part time. I nearly had a breakdown so took voluntary redundancy and left. We're now in an IVA as we couldn't service his credit card debt and yet last night I found him moving his bonus out of our joint account. It's a good job I didn't think like that when I was the higher earner!

My in laws are foul, my late father in law once threatened to knock me out because I wanted to take my boys to the ballet and my mother in law is difficult and moody and will often turn on me, once in front of dh which amused me greatly as even he did a comedy double take. She does my school run for us as I've always had to work full time ( now have a different job but half the salary although my mental health is better.)

Finally we have no life, I keep begging for date nights but he always thinks of an excuse, although to be honest even if we do go out he'll just sit there and not speak.

So, am I being silly if I split up our family? I've trashed my body with a huge weight gain/loss and two big babies so I'll be on my own forever, but surely that will be better than this God forsaken marriage? I'm so unhappy but he thinks I'm having a mid life crisis and if he hangs in there I'll get over it, I have asked him to go several times over the past year but he refuses and says he thinks we've got a chance. I'm just so confused, what do you lot think?

OP posts:
TheSnootiestFox · 28/03/2018 13:07

Thank you all. Truth is I've stayed because it's just been easier Sad No he's not a great dad, his moods have improved recently but they used to have to be seen to be believed. I remember telling him many times that his face was one big contortion of anger. I'm also doubting myself because of all the there's more to life than sex comments on here of late. That and him telling me that I'm deluded and have delusions of grandeur for wanting a nice life for the kids and I.

I do feel really silly now but I've asked him to leave loads of times over the years and he just won't budge. I kicked him out of my bed (I've had that Laura Ashley bedstead longer than I've had him!!) last night and all hell let loose with him punching doors etc. Hmm

OP posts:
AJPTaylor · 28/03/2018 13:07

my god.
you have one life. its later than you think.
look at the iva side of it but decide from this moment on that you will do everything to remove yourself from him.
you deserve a happy life.

Quartz2208 · 28/03/2018 13:15

There is more to sex in a relationship but you dont have any of that either - he is aggression, bad with money, not a great dad etc

SendintheArdwolves · 28/03/2018 13:20

Run, op. Run away from him like he was on fire.

You are wasting your own precious, beautiful, amazing life with someone who doesn't like you very much and will never give you what you want.

It's interesting that you paraphrase the advice you were given last time as "you have done well to put up with it this long". I know that was a throwaway, but it is revealing - on some level, you think that you tolerating his deficiencies /abuse is a good thing or says something positive about you. This is a common subconscious bargain people make - "if I am the Good Person and make allowances, I will somehow deserve some amazing reward".

It doesn't work like that - there is no prize for putting up with an intolerable situation, no good wife points that you can finally cash in if you manage to stand five decades married to this man. There is no cosmic force that will recognise your effort and sacrifice and decide to pay you back.

Leave this horrible relationship. Be nicer to yourself, and stop hoping for the menopause to come along and fix your desires. That truly is one of the saddest things I've ever heard.

dirtybadger · 28/03/2018 13:21

If the only issue was sex, there would be a better spread of advice. Because yes there is more to life. But it isnt the only issue. Its one of many.

hellsbellsmelons · 28/03/2018 13:21

You need a safe exit plan for him
Please call Womens Aid 0808 2000 247
When he damaging property please call the police to get him removed.
It's time to stand up to this vile bully but do it with the help of the professionals who will give you advice on what to do.
Get to a solicitor as well and find out what will happen upon separation.

Costacoffeeplease · 28/03/2018 13:32

If he’s getting aggressive Phone the police and have him removed. I’d report him for last night

Walkaboutwendy · 28/03/2018 13:45

Is his name on the house?

QuiteLikely5 · 28/03/2018 13:48

This sounds absolutely dreadful.

You should definitely end this - it is not a relationship nor a marriage. It is misery!

Your in laws sound like hell too

category12 · 28/03/2018 13:48

Is the IVA his? It ought to be.

I'd get some advice on disentangling financially and on divorce.

And get yourself free. This is no kind of life. Being alone would be far better (I recommend it).

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/03/2018 14:07

Dear God, life is too short for this crap.

Why have you put up with it for so long? Time to pack his bags.
He moves out, you stay put.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/03/2018 14:08

Just read your update. yes, report this to 101. Ask them for help in getting him to leave.

LexieLulu · 28/03/2018 14:08

Pack his bags!!!!

Ask him to leave.

Dial 999 if he gets aggressive

BitOutOfPractice · 28/03/2018 14:10

I have no idea why you're confused OP. It seems so obvious what you should do

TheSnootiestFox · 28/03/2018 14:25

Right. Thanks all. Have just spoken to a mate of mine who used to be a cop and he's told me exactly what to do if he kicks off again.

And yes, Bit I guess it does look like I need to get a grip from the outside. But when it's been your everyday normal for so long you've convinced yourself that everyone else's relationship is like yours and maybe things aren't so bad!

OP posts:
CowesTwo · 28/03/2018 14:40

I rarely comment on threads like this as other posters have much better insight and wiser words. But I just had to say - I could hardly believe what I was reading, your post is just so shocking, and then so sad, that you are living your one precious life like this, with this selfish, useless, horrible bastard! It's not normal, it's not right and you should be doing everything in your power to be rid of him. You have to find the courage from somewhere, you've been finding the strength to keep it all together all these years, but it's now time to use that strength to free yourself for ever.

BitOutOfPractice · 28/03/2018 14:44

Sorry @TheSnootiestFox, now I have read my comment back I realise it sounds very "get-a-grip-ish" - it wasn't meant to sound like that at all, it was meant to be supportive and kind, even though it didn't come across like that. I was distracted by a stupid email when I typed it. Sorry.

I realise (from experience) that it's not easy when you're in it. But really, this is so cut-and-dried I think you have no reason to doubt yourself

Sorry again for sounding snippy Thanks

BitOutOfPractice · 28/03/2018 14:45

And btw you haven't "trashed your body" you've use it for what it was made for. And no decent bloke would give a shit about anything that worries you about it, trust me

TheSnootiestFox · 28/03/2018 15:39

Thanks Bit and everyone else. Flowers I know it sounds ridiculous but I've just got so used to things the way they are - I've repressed every ounce of my sexuality for years ( I had to) and concentrated on being the perfect mother. Now I need to find some strength to find a life for me x

OP posts:
lozzalou93 · 28/03/2018 15:40

I can’t help but wonder if it’s his sexuality he’s dealing with. Either way, you don’t sound happy and you deserve to be

category12 · 28/03/2018 19:04

On the bright side, him thumping doors etc may give you ammunition in terms of getting a non molestation order or something to get him out of the house. Keep safe.

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