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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

Relationship help desperately needed!

28 replies

sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 19:36

Hi everyone. This is my first time posting and I really don’t know what to do. I guess I need some advice, or some affirmation, I don’t know. This will probably be a long and rambling post. I’ve been with my husband for 14 years, married for 8. We have 2 kids. We used to be happy, but after our last child was born something changed. He got very aggressive at the tiniest little thing, grabbing the baby out of my arms when she wouldn’t stop crying (he’d never hurt her, it was more in annoyance with me), when I’d try and talk to him about my feelings he’d be angry, or dismissive, one time he turned the TV up to drown out my crying. He’s struck up several relationships (friendships he says) with other women, he spends hours on his phone, either on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp. He says they’re only friends, but he has met up with one of them several times, and the last time he was really cagey. He didn’t tell me where he was going until 2 hours before, then had a go at me when I asked who he was going with. Then it turned out they were meeting at a hotel (for dinner...) - and this really annoyed me. Am I totally wrong to feel upset by this? He’s secretive about his phone all the time, he makes a point of facing away from me when he’s on it, he tells me I’m paranoid and he’s allowed female friends. Of course he is, I don’t have a problem with that, but he’s so weird with his behaviour around it all, that it does make me suspicious. I wish I could trust him, but I just don’t anymore. If I upset him in some way, he will stonewall me for days, even weeks, until I either cave and apologise or he needs something and forgets about it. He says we don’t have enough sex (5 times a week sometimes) and calls me frigid/cold if I’m too tired, as he thinks his needs aren’t being met, and we aren’t working on things together. He’s threatened to leave me several times in the past, mostly because he thinks we don’t sleep together enough (sorry if tmi), and other women “do more than I do” - which I think is really hurtful. He’s made me feel so worthless. A couple of days ago I realised that after months of him gradually removing me from his Facebook profile, wiping out any trace of him having a wife, he’d actually removed me as his friend. He said it was so I couldn’t stalk him anymore (?!?!) and it resulted again in a massive argument. I told him I was done with this weird behaviour - I said I was sick of his secrets, and being weird, and treating me with no respect, no cares for my feelings etc, and he doesn’t really seem that bothered. He tried to hold my hand in the night, but I can’t bear him touching me when I know how little he seems to care for me. The problem is, I don’t know how I’m going to tell my daughter. She will be devastated as she thinks he can do no wrong (as do his work colleagues and his friends - all of whom are women). I can’t bear to break her heart. And I can’t bear the thought of someone else being involved in bringing up my kids - how crazy does that sound? I just thought I’d be their only mummy forever. My heads all over the place. Should I just try and stick this out for longer? I’ve been feeling like I’m just trying to grab any scrap of genuine affection for about 8 years now, but I just feel that this is a terrible example to set my kids. I try and talk to him, and he turns it round on me and gets angry. He won’t come to counselling. Is anyone stuck in this same situation?

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 12/04/2019 20:04

Kick him out.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 12/04/2019 20:07

Whatever happens, you will still be the children's only Mummy. Don't let them think this is how relationships work.

sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 20:09

I wish I could. Unfortunately he has nearly £30k credit card debt which he’s mostly amassed in secret, and he says he will default on them (so I could lose the house ultimately) if I make him move out...

OP posts:
sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 20:11

That’s where I’m so conflicted. What’s going to cause the most damage - breaking my little girls heart (as I can’t tell her the truth about what he’s like!!) or showing her that’s how you should put up with being treated. I don’t want either thing!!

OP posts:
Jon65 · 12/04/2019 20:13

Stay with him then and have another 8 years of disrespect and lies.

Newmumma83 · 12/04/2019 20:17

He sounds like he has checked out.

Next time you try to talk about it and he gets angry and turns on you ... I want you to tell him that you are talking at this point and he is to listen... list what you have said and how this behaviour is feeding suspicions and destroying your marriage , it’s hard for you to put your best foot forward in the marriage if he is not able to communicate.

You are not his sex slave and you are busy raising two children and looking after his needs ( list household chores jobs tasks if he is u aware ) if he wants sex at all in my book he can treat you with respect / communicate / get off his phone and help out more... and crazily take you out for dinner and maybe have no expectations... x

If he is checking out on the relationship as all his actions are showing then be man enough to call it instead of making your lives miserable

His expectations are warped and I don’t think you can please him he needs to sort his own shit out and the starting point is excepting where he is emotionally and not putting it into to you and comparing you to other women ...

So sorry he is being such an arse, but for everything he accuses you of turn it back on him ... because he is projecting it’s what people do when they are emotionally checking out ... he may check back in but he needs to own up to what’s going on

Glitterandunicorns · 12/04/2019 20:23

Hi @sadfairy2019. Please please don't show your children that this is acceptable. It's infinitely better for them in the long run to have a strong mother who shows them how to value themselves.

It sounds like he is a proper waster tbh. He sounds like he treats you outrageously badly. Don't concern yourself with what his colleagues think about him; what you think is far more important and you're worth much more than this.

I'd recommend seeking advice from Citizens Advice Bureau or a solicitor with respect to his credit card debt and your living situation. Please don't let him hang this over your head.

Worst case scenario is you have to move house. Although this would be extremely difficult for you, you wouldn't have to put up with his nonsense any more.

I genuinely wish you well, OP. Take care of yourself. Thanks

Babdoc · 12/04/2019 20:23

Are the credit cards in joint names or just his, OP? I would see a solicitor or Citizens Advice to see whether you can get an order issued that you are not liable for his personal debts. And get full legal advice on your position in the event of a divorce.
Nobody should have to live with this level of misery, stress and emotional abuse. You need to get rid of this shit of a man, and the sooner the better.

sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 20:32

Thanks for your reply. I’ve tried all that unfortunately - I tell him how much I do, and I work full time, but he says that because he does “the driving” and “ferries people around” that he does more, so he can’t see things from my perspective. What you says makes a lot of sense though, I do feel like he just doesn’t care at all anymore.

OP posts:
sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 20:35

Thanks @Glitterandunicorns. I’ve got a fixed fee appointment next week to see where I stand on things. The only thing we jointly have is the house, but with my half of the equity, and my reasonably low earnings, I’ll never be able to buy a house again. Plus I have two dogs - argh! I live in a student city so renting is impossible... citizens advice I think will def be worth a visit...

OP posts:
sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 20:38

Thanks @Babdoc - the debts are all in his name, but our house is in both our names, 50/50. I’m seeing a solicitor next week. My concern is that they say I have to sell the house to give him half the equity, allowing him to repay his debts (but he might say they are debts accrued on behalf of the family, which I could be liable for).

OP posts:
moreshitandnofuckingredemption · 12/04/2019 20:41

He sounds absolutely horrible, I'm so sorry Flowers

Transpeaked · 12/04/2019 20:41

MY lovely, you are with an abusive, cheating, controlling, utterly vile, bastard. Get to The Freedom Programme, for your sake and your children’s. I put up with this for years - I begged, I cried, I shouted, I negotiated. It harmed me (I’m still a shell of who I used to be) it harmed my children’s you and your children deserve better.

Mummy0ftwo12 · 12/04/2019 20:44

I think you are wrong about the debt / equity thing, could you try posting in the legal section here, or on MSE? also i agree with the PP, please look into the freedom program.

HirplesWithHaggis · 12/04/2019 20:45

Credit card debts are not secured on your home. They can't come after you.

Transpeaked · 12/04/2019 21:00

The debt/house/children being heartbroken are peripherals, also. The most important thing is you get out before something happens which could take decision making out of your hands. Also give Women’s Aid a call in your area and ask for support - it’s a bit of a lottery depending where you are but they could also put you in touch with other organisation who can offer you support and encouragement - you need support around you.

sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 21:08

Thanks @Transpeaked. You’re talking a lot of sense. I’m just so scared of doing something that will make things worse. I have a disability and suffer with anxiety so this is just constantly on my mind, I just wish I could wave a wand and it’s all fixed 😢

OP posts:
Lozzerbmc · 12/04/2019 21:12

His credit cards wont he secured on the house so dont worry about that. Get legal advise asap. Next time he says he’s leaving say “great i’ll pack your bags!” . What a horrible way he has treated you! He sounds awful and you sound lovely you deserve better. Its not a nice way to live is it?

sadfairy2019 · 12/04/2019 21:16

It’s absolutely horrible. I’m just devastated that he can do this to me, and he just doesn’t even care. I feel like a complete fool.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 12/04/2019 21:16

Do whatever it takes to get away from him. This is not the example you want for your children. I know how daunting it seems, but you WILL get through this and you will be SO much happier. Like the saying goes, "If you're going through hell, keep going." You can do this.

Aquamarine1029 · 12/04/2019 21:17

You ARE NOT a fool. He is a selfish, abusive cunt.

Wallywobbles · 12/04/2019 21:25

Depressingly this is the third time today I've posted this.

Information is empowering. And will limit his power over you.

If possible find some friends/contacts that divorced well. Ask them for lawyer recommendations.
Get appointments with recommended lawyers. 2 reasons for this. It's important to find a lawyer you can work with. I got lucky with no 4. The other reason is if you've seen them he can't use them.

While waiting for appointments get all your and his financial information together:
Tax returns
Bank accounts
Salary slips
Savings accounts
Investments
Life insurance
Pensions
Mortgages
Debts
Assets
Get the house valued
This will enable a lawyer to tell you what you might reasonably receive.

Divorce for unreasonable behavior as cited in your op.

50:50 childcare is normal but I think it's fairly uncommon especially with a baby. There are sites like entitledto that will tell you what you might be entitled to from the state. There are also maintenance calculators.

Write 2 lists in terms of kids, house, cars, maintenance etc:
What you'd like (copy to lawyer)
What you'd accept (private)
Do not tell him what you are doing. Just get on with it quietly. The more of a head start you have the better of you will be.

lifebegins50 · 12/04/2019 21:31

I feel for you. He is abusive and when you get away you will realise the extent of it.

Did his behaviour start once you married?
Try not to think of solutions as there will be options, he may not get all the equity as could be offset against any pensions.

Start a journal of all the incidents it will help to keep you strong going through the process.

It is very common for these abusive men to be outwardly charming, the covert narcisstic behaviour is only seen by the intimate partner.

Echobelly · 12/04/2019 21:36

Don't try and stick it out. He's not trying. It's utter bullshit that every other mum of two kids is having sex 5 times a week or anything like that!

Don't worry about your daughter feeling sad - in the short term, she may be, in the long time she should be thankful for you setting the example of showing someone who treats you this badly the door.

Lozzerbmc · 12/04/2019 21:39

You are not a fool - you have been a supportive wife and mother. He’s the fool. Great advice from woolywobbles above. Get tough to protect yourself and your DCs