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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 having a mid life crisis?

18 replies

operaha · 21/10/2018 11:02

I'll try not to be long.

Married 2 years, together 6. lovely husband, unfortunately he's lied over the years regarding money. Too many times. I've also bailed him out of a HUGE financial problem a few years ago.
His 2 sons live with us since their mother was deemed incapable by SS. she has not once asked to have them back.
I have one 15yo dd at home and older dd started uni this year.
His kids are sullen and rude and dh is completely Disney. They're fine, no behaviour probs but due to their non talking I feel like a stranger in my own home sometimes and yes for years I've tried to engage them in conversation, include them, taken them on holiday etc.
Dh could start proceedings to sell his old house but doesn't want to argue with ex - receives no maintenance, kids have been with us over a year. If he did this he could repay me the money i bailed him out with but this isn't my priority, i gave him that out of love and i don't regret it.
Awful year, have had two close bereavements that have affected us deeply. Me more as both my friends before dh came along.
Before dh I had planned to down size house once older child moved to uni. I hanker after a smaller house and I think I could be mortgage free by doing so.
Dh and I barely talk. There's just no effort there, we plod along, perfectly good company for each other but that's it. No sex for months and I'm not remotely interested.
I don't crave passion or another man but resentment of our situation is gripping me.

I don't know if I love him, He's a decent man, hard working but lies about money.

I've found a credit card bill that is just growing and I can see that he'll end up drowning again and I can't go through it again.

He doesn't talk about these issues just tells me he'll definitely start dealing with stuff then goes quiet and nothing happens.

Plus points- we get on well and enjoy the same kind of things recreationally and socially.
I'm waffling not drip feeding so if I think of more I'll add.

I'm considering the fact that we need to separate, even saying that to him he says we'll talk later.

I feel trapped. But is this normal ups and downs of life? He's lovely, loves me, would never treat me badly... except I think this financial lying is treating me badly!!
I'm so confused about whether I want to end our relationship - there's no fantasy life in my mind, other than financial security for me and my kids. Not too much to ask for but I feel at risk with my husband. I feel like my mental health has taken such a battering this year that I might not be thinking straight at all. With the deaths, the lies and eldest child moving far away I just feel completely messed up!
Anyone been through anything like this?? I'm 40 next year, this isn't how I saw my 40s starting.

OP posts:
NotTheFordType · 21/10/2018 11:08

Of course you need to separate, why would you not?!

operaha · 21/10/2018 11:12

NotThe
Is it really that clear cut to an outsider?
Christ I am messed up, so confused!

OP posts:
Cr0c0dile20 · 21/10/2018 13:14

Does he have a whole house of his own or half a house with his ex ? Secondly, why do you keep giving him money, does he work ? If you want financial freedom, he does not seem to be the man for you. Only you can decide what to do, but if you are already having doubts, perhaps it is time to end the relationship. Otherwise, if it drags out for more years, how long will you wait for things to improve ? Downsize sounds sensible.

operaha · 21/10/2018 13:29

Half a house with ex. Hardest working man I know. I don't keep giving him money, I once gave him a large amount but that is all.

I'm not at home at the moment, away visiting relatives. When we text its lovely and i can't believe I'm thinking of leaving him, we get on so well but this money shit just lurks and lurks and has worn me down.

I'm really low at the moment, I'm ill, I'm just so sad all the time.

OP posts:
Cr0c0dile20 · 21/10/2018 15:04

I hope that you will be feeling better soon. I don't think that you can force him to sell a house if he owns it half with someone else. Plus I guess it is his childrens home too. I would attempt to sit him down and talk about finances again (not including his house) and if he won't talk sensibly there is your motive to think about your relationship. You need to ultimately protect your happiness and the financial future for yourself and your children.

huttub · 21/10/2018 15:22

No you're not. You're realising he's not what you want.

He needs to sell house with ex, ask for maintenance for them and get his life in order.

You need to decide what you want to do!

operaha · 21/10/2018 16:40

I am studying to finish my degree so I can apply for a senior management role at work. I love to travel. I get on with these things and he's lovely and very supportive with them.

I frequently travel without him as he's self employed and simply can't take the holiday I can. He has never ever complained. He makes my life easier in some ways as I can do these things and he's there to walk the dog, do the washing, all the DIY. I'm aware that practically my life would be harder on my own but that shouldn't make me stay should it?
He ruined everything when I found out about the first money thing. I had never been happier in my life than just before that.

Nothing he can do will bring that back and I just mourn for that time. And now I'm crying again. I want to say I hate him. But I can't because he is literally the nicest person I know and you could ask anyone who knows us and they'd say that I'm the lucky one... I confided in a couple of family members this weekend and they are heart broken I'm feeling this way but it's the truth and no matter how hard I try its always there.

OP posts:
NotTheFordType · 21/10/2018 16:55

Not being funny but "finishing this degree so I can get a promotion" is really not how it works

Sorry, it just doesn't work like that.

WitchyMcWitchface · 21/10/2018 16:58

I'll try not to be long.
Married 2 years, together 6. lovely husband, unfortunately he's lied over the years regarding money. Too many times. I've also bailed him out of a HUGE financial problem a few years ago.
His 2 sons live with us since their mother was deemed incapable by SS. she has not once asked to have them back.
I have one 15yo dd at home and older dd started uni this year.
His kids are sullen and rude and dh is completely Disney. They're fine, no behaviour probs but due to their non talking I feel like a stranger in my own home sometimes and yes for years I've tried to engage them in conversation, include them, taken them on holiday etc

That would have been enough to say leave. I don't think Disney kids move on like confident, independent DCs so they could be around forever.

Cr0c0dile20 · 21/10/2018 16:59

Why didn't the situation with his house and his ex get sorted out before you married him ? Because he still has financial ties with his ex

FaithInfinity · 21/10/2018 17:02

I don’t think it’s a mid-life crisis, I think it’s like pp said, it’s the realisation that this isn’t what you want. I would hate being lied to repeatedly, the attitude around his kids too.

Do you know why is he getting in debt? I think in your position I’d be looking into how I’d be set up on my own.

operaha · 21/10/2018 17:04

When we married the kids lived with their mum, all he wanted back then was his name off the mortgage and he would have walked away with nothing. She point blank refuses to engage with him, walked out of a meditation appointment he arranged for them, doesn't reply to solicitors letters. Think he's worn down too, we're both weak I think. It's a fucking mess.

OP posts:
Talith · 21/10/2018 17:04

You deserve to be happy and appreciated, and to be financially autonomous. You're none of the above, no wonder you sound so low.

pouraglasshalffull · 21/10/2018 17:16

I was in a relationship (never married and no kids) for 7 years before I finally got some balls and left. I realised 4 years in this wasn't the man for me

He was supportive, useful and we got along, but it wasn't the relationship I wanted. I wanted freedom as a couple, I wanted passion and excitement. It was the best decision I ever made leaving him. Within a year I found someone that was absolutely perfect for me and we've been together 3 years. We argue more, but that's because we care more. We regularly go travelling, we have sex on average twice a week (sorry if thats TMI) and I cannot wait for the rest of our lives together

I understand it's more difficult for you with children and a marriage and a house, but it's still possible

Don't waste your time settling for something that's average. You only get one life you need to make sure its amazing and passionate and everything you want it to be.

Cr0c0dile20 · 21/10/2018 17:22

I think it is good that you are away and have time and space to think. I assume the family dynamics have changed recently. One of your children has left and his children have arrived. Perhaps you feel like you are not in control of your life anymore ? What can you do to make things now or in future better ?

operaha · 21/10/2018 17:31

Before the financial stuff we had all the passion and excitement, life was amazing. I was so happy. We were perfect for each other. But it was all bull shit is how I see it now... because he chose to lie.
I could never see me find someone better than the man I thought he was back then, that's why I day I'm not thinking there's someone else out there... I would say if love to turn back time, but the lie would still be there

OP posts:
BackInTheRoom · 21/10/2018 18:02

You're going to have all the passion before all the grown up stresses and strains because it's real life.

Communication. This sounds like the problem here. You two sound like you deal with the superficial stuff really well but struggle with the more meatier stuff so you skirt around the edges. I think you need a warts and all conversation where you lay your cards out on the table and tell him exactly how you're thinking because the way you're feeling, you've got nothing left to lose.

operaha · 21/10/2018 23:16

I can't actually imagine being single. That's part of it all, I know I've done it before but to do it again, at 39 - urgh I really hoped I'd have my life in order by now

OP posts:
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