Hi.
I have been with my partner for almost 15 years, we are not married. We have 2 children together and I have 2 from a previous relationship, dd1 is 21, ds1 is 17, ds2 is 13 and dd2 is 8.
Dd1 is at uni, so only comes home for holidays and ds1 spends most of his time at his girlfriends, so is hardly home. Neither of them like to be around too long because of him, and that makes me sad.
My partner has always been loud and swears quite a bit, but I have made excuses for him, he had a rough upbringing etc, etc. But he is 39 and should know how to behave!
I don't like to go out with him because he will get wound up by someone or something and express it and quite frankly I feel so embarrassed by him.
He has never been violent but does shout and swear at me when we row and to my shame I have thrown back the sweary insults. He also takes the mick out of me, like when he says something I said, but in a winey voice. I have asked him to stop, he does for a while, but then does it again.
Things will be good for a few months, we will both do the housework, even though I will still do most of it, but he gets the hump if I don't lavish him with praise that he folded up some washing, or put a wash on. (Don't get me wrong I do say thank you regularly, but no one thanks me continuously for feeding them or ironing their clothes.) We will laugh together like we used to and I will think, oh maybe everything will be fine
I think the thing that upsets me the most is that he has to compare everything that someone has achieved or said to himself, e.g. ds2 will tell him that he got to the next level on a computer game, partner will then say something like "well I did it quicker". Ds then looks deflated, and I point that out, later, and tell dp that he is an arse and everything isn't about him. This has happened many many times over the years with all of the dcs.
Today when he woke up and came downstairs I asked him not have the TV too loud as I had a bit of a headache and he mumbled something about he wasn't doing Christmas next year and has been sulking all day upstairs.
He doesn't really like Christmas, so I feel I have to put a huge front on.
Dd1 went to a friend's house as he just makes the atmosphere horrible.
I'm the one who sorts out all the bills, (he is useless with money), do the school run, sorts out childcare and all appointments for the dcs, we both work.
Our youngest has a medical condition that she needs to take tablets for and has regular hospital appointments, yet I have done every single appointment, even when he was off work.
I've come to realise that I'm just sad most of the time and I think be is only here because I can go out without taking the dcs everywhere with me.
I'm happier when I'm at work and have other adults to talk to and I find I'm sharing my success' with them more than dp.
I know there are relationships that are in worst shape, so thank you if you have managed to read this far.
Or maybe it's me that is defective?