Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Ten years and gone

56 replies

wtfamigoingtodo · 19/05/2019 00:17

Can't believe I am actually writing this but after ten years and 3 kids, we're done.

Dp has decided to tell me today he never wanted kids, he is desperately unhappy and can't stand being with me.

Over the last few weeks he has really been on DC1's case about every single thing and I have been pointing this out to him asking him to be a tad more gentle and then today it for too much. He upset the 7year old and then to cheer him up decided to tickle him. 7 yo had had enough and asked DP to stop at which point DP said he wouldn't stop tickling until he made DC cry. I told DP to stop, DC was crying his eyes out at this point and admittedly, I told DP it was disgusting behaviour in front of DC.

Tonight, DP left. I asked him to come back because I wanted to make sure he was making the decision he wanted and not a knee jerk decision. DC1 in particular would be devastated to wake up and find him gone.
DP came back and has basically said he is bored of the mundanity of family life. Over the last few months he has had to pick up my slack and do the drop offs every morning because I was in the final months of pregnancy and had SPD and hyperemisis. I was working from home a lot and the drop offs were kind of on his way to work. We now have a newborn and for the last few weeks he has been getting up to do the breakfasts and we have been getting them ready for school and nursery together. Apparently he is fed up that this is all there is to his life...never mind I have actually been doing this for years and setting my alarm for 0430 to get everything done so I could also get to work on time.
He's gone on to call me every name under the sun whilst I was crying and asking him to stop. Not seeing anyway back from this. Guess I'm just asking for a bit of a handhold and to know everything will be ok

OP posts:
ccgirr · 19/05/2019 06:39

This is sooo not you. He might regret it and try and come back so be strong. In the long run you will be better off but in the short it will be hard. Family life can be mundane but can also be amazing. You have a new born baby for gods sake. He is a twat!

Starfish28 · 19/05/2019 06:39

I’m so sorry to read you are going through this. Has he ever been like that with your son before? That is abusive and really worrying. I’m sure you will find a way forward. Do you have any family that could temporarily come and give you a hand? He sounds so horrible I’m sure in the long run you will be much better off without him.

DinkyTie · 19/05/2019 07:11

Was dc3 an accident, was your dh onboard? Did he not realise that an extra DC would mean more work for both of you?

He does sound like he's not coping. Most people ask for help though, not walk away Hmm

midsummabreak · 19/05/2019 07:20

Ukgift that is a strange question, perhaps her emotionally retarded DH can spill the beans on that one...

Fairylea · 19/05/2019 07:25

I don’t think it’s worth considering if someone who abuses a child in that way is depressed. You can’t live with someone like that, your children definitely can’t. He is absolutely dreadful.

Mymessymind · 19/05/2019 07:28

Did he tell you he didn’t want three children at the time?

Windmillwhirl · 19/05/2019 07:32

What a dick he is. He's saying all this so he can leave and you will feel like the bad guy.

He married you and had three children with you. If it wasn't his scene or thing why did he allow all of that to happen.

He's a weak, pitiful man. This is who he is, please know the pain will pass. He has treated you and your children appallingly.

Sadiesnakes · 19/05/2019 07:39

I'd keep my eyes open for an ow too.

lifebegins50 · 19/05/2019 07:57

Even if the 3rd was a surprise no decent man acts like this.
He is putting his needs ahead of his children and blaming you is classic deflection as he won't want to take responsibility. He has to make you the very worse person as that gives him the excuse to leave..plus it helps him feel less guilt for leaving you and his children. Nothing excuses his behaviour.

I am so sorry op, I know it is worrying time especially the thought of finances and lack of sleep but you will get through this. There will be solutions.
Sadly ime 10 years seems to be trigger point, and your experience won't be uncommon. Many men just don't have what it takes to get through the years of child rearing as it requires unselfish behaviour.

RandomMess · 19/05/2019 08:11
Thanks
Singlenotsingle · 19/05/2019 08:23

You're better off without be him, even though it might not seem like it atm. He's a nasty, selfish man who's only thinking about himself. Thank goodness your name's on the deeds or he'd be trying to chuck you out. He's obviously thought about it. You're well rid.

Ledkr · 19/05/2019 08:24

I always wonder what makes these loser blokes so sure that they can't just leave and their wives will just pick up the slack.

Maybe the partner also feels fed up over worked and in a bit of a joyless existence but they don't just bugger off.

My ex did this op. It was horrendous and my heart was broken.

However. I now have a lovely life and he is just a man child with no relationship with our kids and at nearly 50 hangs about with people half his age as nobody our age would want to do the childish stuff he wants to.
He's a sad joke.

It's going to be a tough few years but I'd guess a lot easier without him.

Make sure you get a maintainence order in place asap.

spacewoman99 · 19/05/2019 08:30

Oh OP my love. You will be ok, I know it doesn't feel like it now though.

I am in an almost identical position to you, just a few months further down the line. We have been together for 10 years (yep, does seem to be something about 10 years...), 2 young DC, and he suddenly tells me he doesn't love me like he used to. We agreed to try to "work at it" as he wasn't ready for it to be over at that point. Trouble is, "working at it" would never have worked I realised, when I discovered the OW...

But it is all my fault, apparently, as I "drove him to it. " Confused. By letting myself go, according to him, putting weight on, not shaving my lady garden, by my general unreasonable behaviour. He also re-wrote the history of the last 10 years; saying I forced him to have children and other such shit.

Be prepared for him wanting you back again, once reality of having to be responsible and being on his own hits home. IMHO men don't do well living on their own, women are much better. My DH wanted me to take him back ( whilst still refusing to cut contact with the OW) when he realised how hard he is going to have to work to support himself without me paying for everything. DO NOT TAKE HIM BACK. You will want to at times when you are feeling scared and vulnerable. But he is not a decent man. You and your DC deserve better.

Much much love. Thanks

spacewoman99 · 19/05/2019 08:32

Oh and are you sure there isn't a OW? Looking back, I can see the exact time his energy went elsewhere and that things had changed irretrievably.

spacewoman99 · 19/05/2019 08:34

Many men just don't have what it takes to get through the years of child rearing as it requires unselfish behaviour.

^this, exactly.

LizzieSiddal · 19/05/2019 08:41

Has he been in contact this morning? He should be grovelling with an apology.

ChristmasFluff · 19/05/2019 09:21

It's as though ukgift thinks women get pregnant by just sprouting a baby inside themselves.....

OP, your hopefully soon-to-be-ex is a selfish and horrible manchild, and one day you will see you and your children are better off without him. God, can you imagine if your kids grew up to be like him and call their partners names etc? How ashamed would you be?

Well rid. Let the trash take itself out.

MrsMozartMkII · 19/05/2019 09:27

He is an arse.

There's some tough times ahead lass, but from this point forward is where life starts to get better.

Mummyoftwo91 · 19/05/2019 10:36

His life would be empty and meaningless with you you and the kids in his life, he doesn't realise how lucky he is, I'm sorry op, you will get through this x

Mummyoftwo91 · 19/05/2019 10:36

*without

GretaBritain · 19/05/2019 10:44

I've been here too. I am so sorry.

If I have any advice it would be to cut him out now...out of the house, out of your thoughts and out of your future. You will go around and around in circles worrying about him, what he thinks, what he wants, what he will do next etc etc. Just stop. Use those thoughts for yourself and your kids. Focus everything into that.

Historically he has not pulled his weight for the whole of the relationship....you have to get up at 4:30 am? How? It is a wonder you haven't had a breakdown yourself! If he decides he has changed his mind and wants to be part of the family and with you then what will your life be? Panicking that he isn't happy but hiding it, running about all day dealing with house, three kids and a job while he does what exactly? Never feeling good enough, never feeling like you have worked hard enough. Don't do it!
Mentally let him go....it is painful but you need that energy for yourself.

This is what worked for me:
Do day by day. What do you need to deal with today? Do that. Sleep when you can. Practice deep breathing. Get professional help...doctors, health visitor, citizens advice. Make a list so when you brain is everywhere and you can't think you can look at the list. Make sure you practice self care and acts of kindness to yourself. It will build you up and help with your self worth. Don't believe his criticism of you...it is only a justification for his actions and nobody deserves what he has done.
Some days it will be all too overwhelming....just get through the day and start again the next day.

When 'he' would creep into my thoughts I would close it down best I could..distraction etc. Things can trigger you to remember good times or think of what could have been. These used to floor me making me useless to do anything else and totally upset. I learnt to cut it off so I could function.

Your post sent shivers down my spine. I was you five years ago but without the newborn. It was so traumatic. I promise you that you come out of the pain and just have a revelation that this wasn't you and that this wasn't your fault. I also think another woman will pop up out of the woodwork. It is so common in these instances.

Whatever his reasons are or whatever he has going on it's not about him anymore. Sadly, you cannot trust him to be on your family's side anymore.

If you are on instagram there is a lovely community called 'frolo'. Many people in your situation sharing issues and supporting each other. Maybe look at that? Any source of help is a source of help. I have also linked through from there to other accounts of other single parents who are sharing their stories. Stuff like this made me feel less alone. In my family and friendship circle, unusually, there are no single parent families/co-parenting families.

For you it's about you and your kids if you keep,focusing on that you will get there.

girlwithadragontattoo · 19/05/2019 10:50

Hi op, there was a man that i worked with that did this to his wife a few years ago, they had a 4DD and she was expecting at the time. His name was absolute mud at work. All the men and ladies told him at different times and social events etc. i know i cant offer any words of comfort but at least everyone will know what a c*nt he is

Napssavelives · 19/05/2019 11:16

How you doing this morning OP?

wtfamigoingtodo · 19/05/2019 11:22

Thank you so much everyone, your support, words and reassurance mean so much.

Head still all over the place, in answer to a previous post, DC3 was very much a surprise, it took me a while to get my head around it all and I just thought from all our conversations that he had too.

We've spoken this morning, he has apologised but all those things he has said can't be unsaid now can they? He says he does love us all and was just blowing off steam from the build up of tiredness and pressure of the last few months. I just don't know what to think or believe right now. I'm scared of going it alone - the fact so many of you have not only amazes me in the strength you have but also gives reassurance it is a period we will all get through. Think I just need to have a good think...like one of the posters has said, I don't want to spend my life scared he is just pretending to be happy and always second guessing things

OP posts:
SignedUpJust4This · 19/05/2019 16:35

Some people are just to selfish to be parents OP. Let him go. His loss.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread