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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

Some friendly words - part 2. It's over.

960 replies

ASmallBoxofChocolateBunnies · 30/10/2019 22:42

First of all I wanted to apologise to the lovely people who were so supportive on my original thread. I had it deleted because I had a weird 'outing' experience, but it doesn't matter now because this evening I had the phone call telling me it was definitely over.

I thought we had been making some progress trying to work things out, but no, it's done.

22 years destroyed in the space of a few months.

In his words, something just switched off. Which is nice.

I don't believe there is an OW, but I suspect there may well be shortly.

Moving away for a job, living in the village he grew up in which he had never wanted to leave originally, and where he now feels more at home than he has done in years. And yes, he did say that, although he did apologise when I pointed out that didn't make me feel super wonderful.

Too much time alone, too much time to dwell and gnaw at all the little things that weren't quite right, all the little niggles, and BOOM suddenly he's able to completely shut, bolt and nail the door up behind him,

And I am just broken. I know I am strong, I know I can get through this, but blimey, it is just, pain.

It seems such a dreadful waste. Ironically, if he hadn't got this job earlier in the year, we may well have been in Las Vegas now, celebrating 20 years of marriage, which is somewhere I'd always wanted to go, and we were going to splurge, irregardless of our not terribly healthy finances.

I just did not see this coming. I still believe our niggles, issues etc were eminently fixable. But fixing them needed someone who was present. And he evidently hasn't been for the past few months.

It seems to have happened very quickly in his head. There was a catalyst of moving within the village 2 months ago at which point it's like a light went out.

So we never had a chance really, he never said how he was feeling because there doesn't seem to have been a period of doubt, just love one day, nothing the next.

Have to work out how to tell the children (well, young adults).

As is so often the case, the one person I would turn to, talk to, the one person I could rely on to have my back, to make me feel better just by being there...is the very person who has broken me.

Of course I still love him. He's been my love, my person, my best friend for all this time, and to lose all of those is horrifying.

We 'got' each other so much, on so many levels just not having that is more than I feel I can bear. I feel like I'm bursting out of my skin.

When he first told me how he felt, and then when we were talking so I wasn't sure, but hoped there was a chance, I thought that limbo was bad, and actually knowing might feel better. It doesn't.

If anyone is there, please could you spare a moment.

I am very lucky, I have some wonderful friends, but at the moment I just can't go to bed and I feel, just, horrible.

Thank you

OP posts:
SoTiredTonight · 31/01/2020 19:18

And now my concentration has gone again. I will read through the remaining messages from last night and today later on. My head is just all over the shop right now. I don’t know why I get so unbelievably tired at the moment. Just no mental energy. Ah well, I’ve achieved stuff I needed to get done today, like work haha! So tomorrow is another day and thankfully it’s a weekend. Will be back on later on. For now have a nice evening where possible. xxx

caketimeisover · 31/01/2020 20:41

Hello all, I've been reading but not replying. I find it comforting even if I'm not being very active at the moment!

Had a really tough week. I had got my head round not being with the kids every other weekend and a night in the week (4 overnights a fortnight). Midnight before mediation last week he sends an email saying he wants them 6 nights a fortnight. Have spoke to a solicitor and basically the result in court would be completely down to who hears your case, but you can't deny access unless there's a safety concern, ie chances are he gets whatever he wants. Even though he cheated and left, even though it has always been me doing everything, even though the story is bad enough without him taking my kids away even more, even though my youngest is only 15 months... Hoping to compromise somehow, but I think he just wants his "fair share", and isn't thinking about anyone else. So lots and lots of crying here. I can't bear it, how is this my life? Every time I get my head round something he throws something else at me. It's like a neverending shit sandwich. Bleughhhhhhh (reaches for the wine)

Tinydancer123 · 31/01/2020 20:43

Oh lovely this is awful surely at 15 months this is too young ???
Can you not contest this ???
I am having wine also !! Wine together x

SuperbMonkey · 31/01/2020 22:35

@SoTiredTonight, I’m not surprised that you’re tired after all that posting! I hope you found time for some rest and relaxation. My anger has calmed down, but tomorrow is, as you say, another day. Perhaps I’ll be angry again then.

@Bigpooh13, the three nice things does seem to work quite well. All those things you did for him you can now do for yourself. I had a Magnum while watching Deadwater Fell on Channel 4. That was complete indulgence.

@Tinydancer123, it wouldn’t be Friday night without a couple of glasses of wine. You are doing amazingly well.

@caketimeisover, I feel for you! He wasn’t thinking about the children when he cheated. You are doing everything right so all you can do is keep on doing it.

Well time to sleep. I’m exhausted. Sleep well everyone. xx

Stillfunny · 31/01/2020 22:52

Oh hell , I have had the pleasing eyes, hugging my knees and saying " What can I do to fix us ?"
Do you think my reply of "Fuck off and die " a bit harsh.SadSadGrin

Bigpooh13 · 01/02/2020 07:55

@@Stillfunny. Not at all. Sounds like one of my responses to my h

SuperbMonkey · 01/02/2020 08:31

@Stillfunny, how did he take that? Not well, I imagine!

Morning Bigpooh13. Hope you’ve got a good day planned.

Stillfunny · 01/02/2020 09:00

Reply " Oh don't say that ".
But I think at this stage he is used to it ! I often wonder why he is OK to stick around . I know I wouldnt if I was spoken to like he is. Guess he would rather put up with the abuse than leave his comfortable home. Or he is indifferent to my anger . He keeps saying how sorry he is and how he loves me.
I know he thinks I should be over discussing anything anymore. And he avoids me if he thinks I might or if he thinks I am upset.
This has always been an issue with us. Lack of communication from him especially if it might be a difficult situation. Total avoidance..
Which made it extra insulting when he said he was on dating sites " for someone to talk to ".
What a liar.
So bit if a rant there!
So glad I have a nice and busy day planned. And the weather is improving. And maybe wont have to listen to much more Brexit talk. Things are looking up !😃

Bigpooh13 · 01/02/2020 10:03

Nothing planned. As no one to plan anything with. Hey ho. Might strip the bathroom door.
Just read a note from my mentor on the online cbt course. She suggests that I should not come on here as its ruminating and going over the relationship again. But o really dont agree.

Stillfunny · 01/02/2020 10:17

I don't think you ruminate bigpooh13. We know the basics of your situation and you don't constantly relive it.
You just tell us how you are feeling , what you are doing and we all understand it. Mostly all you receive is helpful advice about agencies that might help and support from us.
Guess what , just because she said so , doesnt mean it is true.And professionals don't always know everything.GrinFlowers

Bigpooh13 · 01/02/2020 12:00

@@Stillfunny. I agree. It really helps to have an outlet.
I get such gud advice and support . I know that I'm not alone with this pile of shite. And we are going through similar things. Its reassurance that what I'm feeling is how others are as well.

Tinydancer123 · 01/02/2020 12:46

Why does she feel that ?
Surely that is the process to go over it until you feel better ?
If you feel it helps then stay - it is advisory .

Guys on another note what happens reference the joint bills like credit cards ( although it is in my name ?)

Tinydancer123 · 01/02/2020 13:07

Sorry I meant it is only her advice not what you must do

Bigpooh13 · 01/02/2020 13:21

@tinydancer. About Bill's. Same position . Hes doing his financial discovery to solicitor and then we go from there for a settlement figure. But at the moment hes paid the morgage and that's it so I'm tit high with debt. Hes stop paying my wages. Not sure how it affects others but would be interested to know.

Tinydancer123 · 01/02/2020 13:50

Well we have not got a sol yet was trying to do this all before .
So my suggestion was he pays the child maint and the bills that are joint so life insurance , hrmc overpaid tax credit years ago so paying back , a credit card and a joint insurance. He refuses and will only pay child maint not even the morgatage. He has paid it this month but next month says just child maint.

Tinydancer123 · 01/02/2020 13:59

mortgage...... what is wong with me .

caketimeisover · 01/02/2020 14:24

@Tinydancer123 have you thought about mediation? I think it's a good idea, cheaper than going through solicitors and will help guide you through what you need to decide. Also provides a good reality check for you both. You need to look at all your expenses and make sure however much he gives you will actually cover those. For me for example, the child maintenance would barely cover childcare costs, let alone anything else.

Tinydancer123 · 01/02/2020 17:07

How do I organise this ?

Stillfunny · 01/02/2020 17:38

I see that there are very many services in UK. Free if you qualify for legal aid .CAB seems a good place to start.

Let him know that he does not get to call all the shots and decide what he has to pay. Unless he agrees to your fair terms , you will have to go legal route. And if the mortgage gets defaulted , it is also his problem and his credit affected.The lenders will come after both of you and as he is probably a higher earner , he will be the first choice.

What an asshole he his to risk his children's home.

SuperbMonkey · 01/02/2020 22:09

Evening everyone. I have had a busy day, mostly of pampering myself, and am just checking in before an early night with a book. I had a good parkrun this morning, the first one I’ve done since August. I had to drag myself there but I was so glad that I did. I felt a real sense of achievement afterwards. Then breakfast out. Then a few household tasks and a cut and blow dry. Much needed new pair of jeans purchased. Then a trip to the library and a couple of new books taken out. Finished off with binge watching ‘The Split’ on iPlayer. I thought it might be too much for me, but I found it quite helpful in many respects. It normalised my situation.

@Bigpooh13 I agree with @Stillfunny that you don’t ruminate when you post on here. You describe difficulties and bounce ideas around. I’m sure the CBT mentor has your best interests at heart. I can see that you are working out solutions to problems and it’s good to have a safe place like here for a rant.

Stillfunny, good to have a rant, and hope you had a lovely, husband free day.

@Tinydancer123, @caketimeisover has experienced mediation so her advice is worth listening to. It might be the answer for you or at least a step in the right direction. My advice is to see a solicitor before talking to him about money. Collect as much financial information together as you can to take with you. A solicitor can help you out with information about mediation as well.

@ASmallBoxofChocolateBunnies, just giving you a mention to check that you’re ok?

Sleep well everyone. Xx

ThelmaAndLouise2020 · 02/02/2020 08:14

Morning everyone,

I've had a tough few days so I've totally lost track of the thread and everyone's updates but it looks like there has been lots of brilliant advice as usual (which I will no doubt need to call upon myself). This thread is such a great resource.

Well done @SuperbMonkey I wish we could have run the Parkrun together! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and hope you keep it up ....your day yesterday sounded like a perfect day Smile

I hope @ASmallBoxofChocolateBunnies is doing well too, and that she comes back to update/start a new thread when she can.

Sending love to everyone on the thread x

SuperbMonkey · 02/02/2020 08:45

@ThelmaAndLouise2020, sorry you’ve had a tough few days. Running is a good antidote to that isn’t it? The sense of satisfaction afterwards is huge. Well, any exercise really. A walk hits the spot too. And you’re in a running club, so you’re a real runner. 🏃‍♀️

SuperbMonkey · 02/02/2020 08:46

Why did it convert my female runner emoji to a male runner emoji!!!!! That’s discrimination and gender bias!!!!

SuperbMonkey · 02/02/2020 08:47

Oh now it’s reverted ...

ThelmaAndLouise2020 · 02/02/2020 09:11

Oh I love it @SuperbMonkey but the downside is I feel very frustrated when I can't go (the only reason for not going is due to childcare) and I wonder how it's all going to work when I start my new job. I'll just have to make it work somehow because I can't go back to not looking after myself again as that's partly what got me in this mess in the first place!

I'm not actually a member of the running group yet (maybe I will join at some point...) so I am just an amateur! Wink They have an open to all run on a weekend morning which I will do when I don't have my DS. I'm looking forward to being able to do that next weekend!