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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

Husband coming home to talk

104 replies

CollyWombles · 03/07/2018 09:46

Things have been stressful this last two months. I fell pregnant unexpectedly and miscarried. My DD broke her arm badly on a trampoline. My son has ASD and has been having meltdowns almost nightly over sleeping. We have a 14 week puppy which I am trying to train. Money hasn't been great due to birthdays and school stuff. I am on meds for severe depressive episodes and my mood has dipped a lot. DH has been working sometimes 6 days a week and is tired.

Two days ago we had an arguement. It was quite late at night, my DS1 has fallen and had a small cut on his scrotum. My DS2 was having another meltdown about going to sleep. My DD1 was crying because her father (not DH) had taken her to the beach and not bothered with sun cream, she is a redhead and fair and her back was terribly burnt. The puppy was running amok.

I sorted DS1 cut, cajoled DS2 out of his meltdown, put cream on my DD back and gave her pain relief. By the time I came back downstairs I was stressed to the point of tears. I said to him I thought we had made a mistake getting the puppy. I suppose I was looking for reassurance, comfort, but he just said well get rid of her then, picked her up and took her outside. When he came back in, he asked me what's wrong and I just said there was no point in talking to him because he is unsupportive.

When DD2 broke her arm, it was broken in two places with the bone through the skin. I was trying to hold it together waiting for the ambulance, keeping her as calm as I could and all he could think about was getting to work.

He didn't want the pregnancy, so wasn't upset when I lost it. I know I need to sort out contraception, it's just a long waiting list to be fitted with the copper coil as I can't use any hormone based contraception due to PMDD.

He accused me of spending money like water because during the first month where I couldn't walk the puppy due to her vaccinations, I rented some movies to watch in the day on the Xbox. They were £2.49 and over the course of a month, I rented around 20 I would say. I don't spend money on myself at all, clothes are bought from primark, I cut my own hair, do my own eyebrows and lip, rarely buy make up or shoes. The only money I do spend on my self is buying ejuice and coils for my vape. He still smokes and spends around £20 a week on tobacco.

Anyways, yesterday he went to work without saying a word. By 11pm he still wasn't home so I called him and he was at his colleagues house. He didn't bother to text me to let me know. I was upset so in anger I told him just to stay there for the night. I don't have a problem with him not coming home, but a text to let me know so would have been appreciated.

I calmed down and asked him to come home to talk about things. He said there was nothing to talk about because everything is always his fault, he isn't supportive and that I always say I would be fine if he left. He again said I spend money like water.

My DH is also a recovering alcoholic. He has been sober a year come August. Last week he said he thought he might like to have one or two drinks again, with the weather being nice and he thinks he could drink in moderation. My DH used to drink 8 litres of cider a day. He can't drink in moderation.

This colleague he stayed with last night has just split up with his wife. He has a spare room, he drinks and my DH really likes him.

I can't help but think that DH is looking for a way out from the hectic life of a family with four kids, two dogs, stressed wife etc, for a life of hanging out with his mate and drinking again.

I have no idea what to say to him when he arrives, I don't know what to do. I do love him, but we have said things that have hurt each other and I don't know if there is any coming back from it all. What do I do?

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 03/07/2018 12:38

Ah yes. I thought maybe your dh would "not work" with condoms.......

Biologifemini · 03/07/2018 12:38

You sound like you are making unecessary stress for yourselves so I am not surprised you are both very stressed.
Why get a puppy? It is silly if you are short of cash - spending on you and your children should be a priority.
Use condoms.
Go easy on yourself.
You probably need more structure and to get back into work to relieve the pressure. If I was working 6 days a week I would be very pissed off too.

helpbeforeimelt · 03/07/2018 12:38

No assumptions op. Just people offering advice

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/07/2018 12:44

Why does DH not get a vasectomy? Contraception isn't just a woman's responsibility.

Tell him you love him and want to work things out together. Suggest counselling?

You do both sound very stressed.

Zaphodsotherhead · 03/07/2018 12:46

What will happen to the puppy when you go back to work and your DH is working 6 days a week? A dogwalker won't cut it with a very young dog still in the middle of training...

Just stop and think, OP. I know it's very easy to think 'yes, but, yes, but...' about everything people say - obviously you didn't get a dog thinking you couldn't manage, just like you didn't have four children thinking you would struggle! But now it's here, it might just be the one thing too many. Your head is full, you can't cope with any extra stress. But your DD's arm will mend, money will get better once the birthday season is over, it sounds more like you need a break than a divorce.

But your DH needs to reassure you re the drinking. It sounds like he's working on his way out of the stressy relationship, so you might want to start getting your ducks in a row in case this happens.

Scrumptiousbears · 03/07/2018 12:47

Rather than getting angry with people on her OP take a step back and look from the outside. You are quite defensive and you really need to loose this when you have your talk.

ijustwannadance · 03/07/2018 12:50

So many times on mn do people post that their lives are in turmoil/skint but they have just got a bloody dog. Why?? Why add to the mental/financial load?

So what if it was a joint decision, it was a shit one. Puppies are expensive and time consuming.

£50 a month on films when money is tight?
As pp suggested, Netflix is £8 a month.

MurielsBottom · 03/07/2018 12:51

It does sound like you are both equally stressed with the situation you're in. You both need to admit that you need support from each other. Possibly your DH has been struggling for a while to not drink and you have missed this with everything else going on.

Definitely echo previous posters who reccomend a budget drawn up together so you both know what you have and where you are financially.

Stinkachoo · 03/07/2018 12:52

You're in a committed relationship and you got pregnant, it happens. But you're also describing a situation that sounds very stressful, not just for you, but also your husband. However wrong it is for him to try to check out when the going is tough, it does sound tough for him too.

People are just pointing out one of the more easy ways that you can take control yourself. You don't need to get defensive about it as it sounds like you're not taking responsibility. Accept the comments about birth control as just one of the many pieces of advice and move on to the other issues.

Snowysky20009 · 03/07/2018 12:56

OP people are just pointing out the obvious, harsh as it may sound.

You say you are struggling with money and looking after the kids. Then say you've bought a puppy and fell pregnant unexpectedly- I'm sorry to hear you miscarried.

My son is desperate for a puppy, as we lost both of our dogs a few years ago. The answer is no. I'm home full time as I'm disabled, so the dog wouldn't be on his own. But a dog is for life. I pointed out our one dog lived until 19, he will be off to uni in 4 years, I'll be left looking after it- be fine on my good days, but the poor thing wouldn't be walked on my bad. Our old dog cost a fortune during her old age, for things insurance didn't cover. The food and insurance is another added cost per week which we can't afford.

After ds2, I was desperate for another baby, as I wanted my sons to have lots of siblings which I didn't. However we couldn't afford it. We had a bring home wage between us of almost 50k, but we would have struggled. So we made a decision not to have more children, which meant using contraception. Condoms are free from a family planning clinic.

You sound like you have a handful with your children. You don't say how old, but I'm assuming quite young. Also having a child with SEN makes things harder.

I also appreciate that you have depression, which can make things seem so much more difficult. Fellow sufferer so I do know how you feel.

But I guess I can see both points of view. You don't feel supported and he feels like you aren't pulling your weight. You say he wasn't bothered that you lost the baby. Do you think it was relief because he was worried about the financial situation? If you are struggling now, how would you afford a fith child? Do you think he may go back to drinking because he's finding things so stressful?

You need to be proactive rather than reactive. Get contraception sorted out. Sit down and talk to him. But both listen to each other and not just talk. But the big question is- do you love him and do you want to work on your relationship?

kikashi · 03/07/2018 12:57

You need to talk to your DH. Tell him you are worried he'll start drinking again - does he have a support group he can go back to? and talk about how you can both make life less stressful for each other. Move forward, don't dwell on past arguments and mistakes. I think the divorced pal is a red flag and your DH needs to be careful.

Do you have support - perhaps you could look at Al- anon or CoDa for support from others in similar situations dealing with a partner with addictive behaviour. Be kind to yourself and don't sweat the small stuff.

TheBigFatMermaid · 03/07/2018 13:00

Quite frankly, if your husband is indeed choosing to take a room in his friends home and drink with him over being with his family, then you will be better off without him.

I would pack his bags and send him on his way!

ToadOfSadness · 03/07/2018 13:01

There are other barrier methods of contraception besides male condoms. Femidom britishcondoms.uk/femidom-female-condoms.html
And the cap, although you would need a fitting for that.

It would be hard to part with the puppy but perhaps it would be better for the time being not to have one. However I am with the keep the puppy and dump the man crew, as long as you can manage, and it looks as if you would manage better without him.

AnnieAnoniMoose · 03/07/2018 13:02

Oh dear.

It’s a bit ‘that horse has already bolted’, but I agree that getting a puppy was a pretty daft idea. You say she’s ‘not being rehomed’ but I really think you need to think about what’s best for your kids, your marriage, your DH, yourself and most importantly the puppy and I’m sorry to say, I don’t think that’s your house right now.

If your DH is struggling to stay sober you need to reduce the stress and make life easier, not harder. Rehome the puppy, no PIV sex until you have contraception sorted, sort out a budget etc.

Or separate.

IF he starts drinking again, tell him to leave. Immediately. He can then choose to keep drinking or to get sober on his own. Don’t let him drag you into it, you have the kids to think about.

lynmilne65 · 03/07/2018 13:28

As a recovering alcoholic, just no no no no😬

CollyWombles · 03/07/2018 15:08

Right for the judgemental, condescending, patronising people on this thread:

We are not financially struggling. My DH wants to save more money so we can have a holiday at some point. Not because we can't put food on the table or pay the bills!

The situations I posted in my op are TEMPORARY. The puppy will not be a puppy forever. My DD won't be badly sunburnt again to the best of my ability. I have a THREE month minimum wait for a coil fitting. We were doing our best to avoid pregnancy but it happened and then I lost it. That hurts you know? Whether i wanted another or not it happened and I lost it so have a bit of compassion eh!

I was a single parent for five years, raising four kids on my own and working. I've done a bloody good job and I don't need my life referred to as a disaster or other twatty stuff about getting a puppy!

People get stressed out with puppies! They are bloody hard work but she is doing fantastically.

I don't need solutions to change temporary situations. I needed a bit of comfort when getting stressed. Not that hard!

Well what this thread has done is pull me out of my low mood and remember how strong I actually am.

I will be just fine now thank you, have a good day.

OP posts:
CollyWombles · 03/07/2018 15:10

Oh and I won't be working for the next year or so, the assumption that I would just go out and buy a puppy on a whim without any foresight is just insulting. Even the most prepared person can get stressed with puppies because they are HARD WORK. Telling me I need to rehome it and my home is not suitable is utter twaddle.

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 03/07/2018 15:11

Fair enough. But either use condoms or don't have sex. Or you will get pregnant again.

bigchris · 03/07/2018 15:19

Hi op

I does sound like unfortunately your relationship is no longer working

It's very dangerous for your dh to start drinking again and I would probably tell him that's a deal breaker

MistressDeeCee · 03/07/2018 15:19

OP you've an answer and excuse for everything. I think you just want to vent. That's fine if you do, but some posters have given you good advice that you seem uninterested in. Instead you're concentrating on replies you think aren't that nice.

What pebblespony wrote is good, about partnerships.

ShatnersWig · 03/07/2018 15:22

This went well.

CollyWombles · 03/07/2018 15:29

After being on MN for over a decade, I occasionally forget what it can be like and make a post. The replies I got in here I would expect if I posted in AIBU not in relationships. Lovely to post about advice on talking to my husband for it to turn into calling me an unfit puppy owner, lazy wife and so forth.

The other advice however I am grateful for and have had a talk with my DH. It was a good talk where I went down the route of saying it didn't matter who was right or wrong, what matters is we look at how to fix issues that stress us out rather than point fingers. I have accepted spending money on films whilst unable to take puppy for walks until she was fully vaccinated was a luxury and not necessary. He has accepted my hurt at him not letting me know he wasn't coming home and that I don't need solutions when stressed, I can work out my own problems, what I do need is a hug and a reminder that we are a team and can get through things together.

He didn't drink with his friend. He is on Antabuse anyways so he can't even if he wanted to.

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 03/07/2018 15:34

Condoms. Or no sex.

ShatnersWig · 03/07/2018 15:37

Blimey. Six hours ago you didn't think there was any coming back from this. Now everything is the garden is rosy.

BertrandRussell · 03/07/2018 15:42

That often happens in abusive relationships. Once the.abuser has explained exactly why the abused person is wrong and they accept it, everything is all rosy for a while.

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