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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

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AIBU to just want to give up on my marriage? I'm just burnt out on his crap.

134 replies

TriJo · 31/08/2019 13:24

Mid-30s, 8 years with DH, 4 years married and two DCs (3.5 and 19 months).

I'm exhausted.

We both work full time in office based STEM jobs, but after that he does almost nothing at home. I do all the cooking, most of the cleaning, all the laundry, most of the childcare for two very active little boys, take on all the mental load around the house and end up having to facilitate his time consuming hobby. He literally would sit around doing nothing while I'm working my arse off and it's unbelievably annoying.

I've suffered from postnatal depression since the birth of my second child, he literally won't listen when I tell him something is wrong. I've been told "you're ruining my holiday" and had the car radio turned up at me when I told him I was at a low point and he's trying to convince me to come off my meds ever since I commented on side effects. They're actually working, fatigue is a side effect.

He deliberately does things that provoke my anxiety too and tries to blame me afterwards, it's very frustrating. A couple of weeks ago he said we were going for a drive and absolutely refused to tell me where we were going, then started having a go at me for not being prepared for a longer day out than anticipated when we ran out of nappies.

He has also been sexually coercive - there have been quite a few times where he makes me feel like I can't say no. After the birth of our first child he pushed and pushed until I gave in to sex 24 days after the birth, it hurt but he didn't seem to care. He also won't wear condoms or get the snip, I can't do hormonal contraception as it has serious mental health implications for me so I have a copper IUD despite the fact that I bleed to a ridiculous degree with it (I'm veggie and prone to low iron so this causes me issues every month!). When I was breastfeeding our second baby he got a massive breastfeeding fetish and would not stop grabbing my boobs and trying to suck on them and squirt milk on himself even when I clearly said no and asked him to stop. I gave up after 5 months as it was becoming incredibly triggering every time my son latched on.

It just feels like everything in my life is about him and his needs, he's even called me out for "giving the kids too much attention"! He makes financial decisions without asking me and seems to think that "better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" is a life motto. He even threw a shoe at me a couple of weeks ago after I asked him to do a simple thing he didn't want to do, then got into the car and drove off with one of the children and a backpack which had my phone and house keys in it.

I went to visit family with the children last weekend and he was on his best behaviour all week, even talking about house buying at the end of the week. I'm not signing for anything with him but I think he wants to lock me in.

I think I want out but I have no idea where to go from here. None of my family live in the UK and I'm only a year in this city.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 31/08/2019 14:58

Leave, don’t look back. Life shouldn’t be like this.

ElspethFlashman · 31/08/2019 14:58

More importantly, it would be taking the kids across an international border against the wishes of one parent so could cause me legal problems

Tbh I would look closer into whether this was actually true. Due to the right of free travel between UK + Ireland (at present at least) this may not kick up the problems you think.

I think it's highly unlikely that any Irish Judge would agree to sending them back to the UK in a thousand years. There was a case a few years ago where a mother fled a UK social services care order and the judge in Ireland still took her side.

dottiedodah · 31/08/2019 15:14

If you can afford to ,then you have nothing to stay for at all.He sounds cruel lazy and manipulative ,and those are just his good points!.No one should be treated like this .He sound absolutely frightful TBH!.The point about pushing you to have sex 24 hours after birth and the BF fetish made me feel nauseous .Are you worried about Divorce ? .Are your family Anti divorce?.(Are they Catholic)?.You need to be super strong now ,visit a Solicitor /Womans Aid ASAP and sort out your options, he sounds like a complete fuckwit to be jealous of your children and also your successful career.Give him the boot .Make today the first day of the rest of your life.

JoMumsnet · 31/08/2019 15:15

Hi TriJo,

We just wondered if you'd like us to move your thread over to our Relationships topic? Just hit the report button if so and we'll do that for you straight away.

Thanks to everyone who's given support and advice so far.

Sending good wishes, OP Flowers

ControversialFerret · 31/08/2019 15:17

He's vile - leave.

I'd tell him you are going to your Mum's for a weekend break and just not come back.

EssexSexpot · 31/08/2019 15:21

Please, leave this bastard. He is an abusive little shit. You deserve much better than this.

koffeetoast · 31/08/2019 15:37

Yep, i would leave.

user444444 · 31/08/2019 15:51

It can be extremely hard to leave a marriage where kids are involved. OP asked for some input and I gave some. Did you read the rest of my post? I think she should leave the awful man. But she needs to get everything in order so she can be ready. What if he denies the rape and tells a solicitor she never tried a reconciliation, a divorce could be delayed and made difficult. If she can prove she has exhausted all options, a break will be so much easier. If you don't like what I have to say just ignore it. And don't fucking swear at me.

Yes I did. It's all been terrible. She doesn't need to attempt to reconcile. Stop with the awful advice. And I can say fuck as much as I like, as can you apparently.

HollowTalk · 31/08/2019 16:10

Jesus. This is as bad as I've seen on here. OP, if you leave now, in a while you will look back and wonder how the hell you put up with it.

Picture what it would be like to live without him. You will feel so free, so relaxed.

Rachelover40 · 31/08/2019 16:15

Your husband sounds revolting! No way should you have to put up with what he dishes out, especially the sexual bits. Yeuch.

Get rid as soon as you can, divorce him please.

Flowers
HaileySherman · 31/08/2019 16:17

I imagine the idea of being a single parent is very scary, but if you can get past the fear, I think you'll be incredibly relieved to be rid of him. He sounds like a burden in every single way he could be, emotionally, sexually, financially, and with responsibility around your shared home. The only thing worse than having to do everything by yourself and have to deal with everything in your own, is having to do that AND put up with a lazy person who thinks that although he does nothing he should have a say in how they are done, have to have sex you don't want to have and generally answer to/put up with someone who you say intentionally does things to raise your anxiety. Faced with that for the rest of your life, just having to take care of yourself and children sounds pretty wonderful and stress free.

DishingOutDone · 31/08/2019 16:24

I've found the National Domestic Violence Helpline to be brilliant on coercion and control, verbal abuse etc. and much easier to get through to than WA - www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

They can give practical advice and confirm that what is happening to you, also put you in touch with other organisations. Popping over to Ireland to see your family shouldn't raise any issues. I've often thought of doing it and not coming back ... Sad

pinkyredrose · 31/08/2019 16:33

He's the worst kind of abuser.

To the poster who mentioned talking to him framed in a way that would help him; fuck that! He needs to be aware of how he's behaved not softly spoken to. I bet he doesn't think there's anything wrong with him anyway. He's an abusive, controlling, mysogynist rapist. He could go to prison for what he's done ffs. He's causing a massive amount of emotional damage.

Bananasandchocolatecustard · 31/08/2019 16:43

You would be so much better off without this life-sucking bastard.
You are doing everything now, without him you will have peace of mind.
Good luck.

Cherrysoup · 31/08/2019 16:48

Please leave him. You poor thing and your poor kids. This wanker sounds like an absolute monster. 😢

wonderwhat · 31/08/2019 16:53

I’m betting your mental health will dramatically improve once you’ve got rid of this low life. You can do this. He sounds vile. Grabbing at your breasts while BF? You deserve so much better than this

recrudescence · 31/08/2019 17:02

There is not a single valid argument for remaining in this marriage. I don’t know how you have managed to endure this for so long. Good luck with the next steps.

Funguy · 31/08/2019 17:08

Oh noes, he sounds horrible.I am so sorry. All that is so unacceptable, toxic, abusive.
The sex thing... oh my God!
That completely upset me on your account.
If you do divorce he may be very unpleasant , they often are on point of separation.
Please get a lot of support set up and a plan of action.
I divorced an abuser.

AnneElliott · 31/08/2019 17:11

Oh my goodness op - you need to leave. That was so sad to read. It's got to be better for your sons not to grow up with that man treating you like that.

jamoncrumpet · 31/08/2019 18:24

I was horrified reading your post OP. Please find the strength to leave soon. You deserve to be happy.

TanyaChix · 31/08/2019 20:23

Every now and then I read a post on here that really makes me feel really sad and worried for the poster, and yours is one of those OP. It all sounds utterly awful and he’s abusive - no question of it. Your mental health and happiness need to come first. I hope you can find the support and strength to leave this utter waste of space and make a happier future for yourself. You already sound strong because you’ve coped with all kinds of things in a really brave way.

TheKarateKitty · 31/08/2019 20:33

Please get yourself and yours out of there, as soon as possible is best.

Contact the organization mentioned by a PP.
Stay strong. Flowers

EssentialHummus · 31/08/2019 20:34

I imagine the idea of being a single parent is very scary, but if you can get past the fear, I think you'll be incredibly relieved to be rid of him. He sounds like a burden in every single way he could be, emotionally, sexually, financially, and with responsibility around your shared home.

This. OP, you deserve so so so much better. I’m thinking of you and hoping you find the strength to leave him. He really sounds vile.

wifesupremacist · 31/08/2019 20:35

you're only BU in referring to it as "giving up"; you'd be escaping

HisBetterHalf · 31/08/2019 20:50

Just get rid- he sounds vile
When I was breastfeeding our second baby he got a massive breastfeeding fetish and would not stop grabbing my boobs and trying to suck on them and squirt milk on himself even when I clearly said no and asked him to stop.