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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

Marriage is failing don't know what to do :(

67 replies

Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 19:37

Hi everyone
This is my first post on here I really need some advise as I really don't know what to do, I'm so upset and I don't want to talk to my family as I don't want to cause them any more stress or worry.
I've always had an argumentative relationship with my dh, he has a horrible temper, can't stand people disagreeing with him, but over the years I feel like it's got worse. He seems to have a very dysfunctional view of people and situations, he's always been very negative, but at the same time he's very attentive, caring, sensitive and we've always had the same morals and goals in life.
He has been diagnosed with an under active thyroid but I don't see how he can use this as an excuse for his behaviour.
Like for instance I disagreed with him on a situation the other day, he went in a silent mood said I was shutting him down, I was just giving him my opinion which he didn't agree with, so thinks that it's ok to go in a mood with me not talking and just went upstairs to play on his phone, whilst I'm downstairs looking after dd getting her tea ready etc... leaving me feeling upset and alone, if I don't try to apologise or speak to him he'll just ignore me. I went upstairs and I'd had enough I told him just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean to say you stop being a parent and that you can just laze around expecting me to do everything whilst he acts like a child, I was told to f&£k off and called a bitch. I told him I wasn't standing for this any more and that I've had enough my child shouldn't have to hear him calling me names, yet I get the blame for 'shutting him down'? And the whole I have too much resentment towards him... wonder why? And how we don't have a sex life anymore... wonder why? There's no romance it's a struggle for him to make an effort christmas, birthdays etc... it's always a last minute dash to the supermarket using the excuse he didn't know what to get nor didn't have time, funny how I find the time to get everything done though and buy him a thoughtful gift, he even tried to make me feel like the worst parent alive Christmas Eve because dd accidentally followed me into another room and saw her main xmas present, I told him how sorry I was but he made a point of making me feel terrible and upset dragging out ignoring me being funny and offish with me. He then said well if I'd done that you'd feel the same! I didn't actually do anything dad just accidentally followed me I didn't know she was there!
Things came to ahead today when we were at his parents and he was having a disagreement with them over something then started shouting and getting nasty with them, he tried to get me to stick up for him but I was having none of it and told him that maybe if he didn't speak to people the way he does then maybe people would be more willing to hear him out. He went mad trying to act like the victim how it's my fault and then proceeded to try and turn his parents against me, his dad kind of stuck up for me we went home and I haven't spoken to him and don't particularly want to. I feel so alone at a loss at what to do, if i leave him but then I'll have to split my time with dd which I really don't feel comfortable doing as she's never been away from me before, I'm not trying to say she shouldn't have a relationship with him but his temper worries me and I think it would negatively affect her being away from me, I also think he would use her to control me and upset me further, so I don't know what to do for the best. He's so petty and argumentative but obviously I would have left years ago if these were his only qualities... please help xx

OP posts:
DesperateElf · 04/02/2020 20:56

In the same boat, down to thyroid issues. Marking my place.

Dozer · 04/02/2020 20:58

He sounds abusive. This is not you.

Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 20:59

Notagypsy I just started hysterically crying after reading your post about being a team with dd, I'm finding it so hard to be strong I'm so warm down by him, feel like I can't go to my mom because she's recovering from cancer, really don't want to cause her any more stress :( xx

OP posts:
Kit19 · 04/02/2020 21:02

I know it’s hard OP, no one under estimates that xxx there are lots of people on here who have been through similar. You will get lots of support here x

TheReef · 04/02/2020 21:06

My ex threw the 'you can't take dd away from me, I'm going to apply for 50/50 access'

I simply said 'that's no problem, I'm more than happy with 50/50 parenting. I can go back to work full time, join the gym and take up my old hobby again, I'll also be able to catch up with my friends more often'

Safe to say he back peddled so quickly he could have been an Olympic athlete. He has her eow, when he can be bothered to show up or has nothing better to do.

Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 21:08

Thank you kit19, I really don't know how I'm going to be able to get through this, I'm so used to blaming myself, what happens if it is really me and I'm breaking up a family thinking it's him :( x

OP posts:
Kit19 · 04/02/2020 21:11

It is definitely not you OP, really!! Imagine if a friend was telling you what you’ve written down - what would you say to them?

notagypsy · 04/02/2020 21:11

emjam143 I only wrote that because I've been there. Ended an abusive marriage and I couldn't be happier. Me and my DD are so much better off and happier. She does see her dad but as I said it will give you time to yourself, it's hard at first but honestly it gets easier with time. Hugs to you, what a horrible situation to be in xx

Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 21:12

You see I'm not sure if he would ignore her or not bother with her because I think he does want a close relationship with her, but he struggles to be close to her because he expecting something from her all the time, whether it be a kiss, cuddle to behave, I've told him before you're the parent you give the hugs and kisses stop expecting so much from her, and when we're not getting on he'll walk in the room and say 'hello beautiful' to her, it feels like an attempt to get at me x

OP posts:
ASureSign · 04/02/2020 21:28

I agree that it sounds like you must leave him one way or another. It sounds like neither of you like each other. (Very understandable on your side).

How does your daughter and husband get on when they are alone? He might be more patient and in tune with her when you aren't there.

Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 21:32

When I'm in the bathroom and they are downstairs together, he's normally on his phone, he plays with her but sets too many boundaries, always don't do this don't do that all the time x

OP posts:
Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 21:37

I have to ask him to change her, he's never made her lunch or dinner, he only made her breakfast because I pulled him up on not pulling his weight and him moaning that she didn't want him for anything, & I said well maybe if you do more for her! I feed her every mealtime he sits on his phone, I bathe her he dresses her, he'd do anything for her but he's never took the initiative, blames me for that also saying I bag at him if he doesn't do it properly, I'm sorry but I'm not going to let him just do a half hearted job of cleaning her etc... x

OP posts:
richteasandcheese · 04/02/2020 21:51

Be brave. Your house, get a lawyer, get an occupation order, get him out. You are legally entitled to stay in that house till she is 18. He might try for 50/50 but unlikely judge will grant him that since you've contributed more/your future income potential is less as main carer for your daughter etc etc. I've got a horrible stbexh who throws this sort of shit at me as well - it can be hard to find the strength, but you can do it

Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 21:56

Thank you for your help, id be gutted if it did get split 50/50 as after how he has treated me I don't think he deserves anything, he's still downstairs not once has tried to talk to me or apologize, how do I handle tomorrow being around the house with him? If I take dd out without him he threatens to take her out without me... but I'm not doing anything to spite him x

OP posts:
PhoenixIsFlying · 04/02/2020 22:30

If it was just to be you and your daughter I doubt very much that your daughter would feel lonely. I think she would love being in a happy, relaxed and loved environment with her Mummy. I completely get your worry of leaving your daughter with him. It would not be at all unreasonable that visits are supervised either with you or his parents. If the house is solely in your name then I doubt he would fight for half. It would cost him a lot of money to do so and he would probably lose. He is using this as a fear tactic to stop you from leaving. I understand how hard it feels to even just begin to leave him but understand it is short term pain for long term happiness and just something you will need to get through. You and your wonderful little girl can have a wonderful life but you need him out. Xx

PhoenixIsFlying · 04/02/2020 22:34

Concentrate on getting him out. Once he has left then you will be able to slowly heal and you will be a lot stronger to ensure that the access he has is what you feel comfortable with x

Emjam143 · 04/02/2020 22:45

Thanks phoenix, I'm scared that the courts will take over and grant 50/50 access as I know they are keen on being fair and fathers rights etc... but whatever happened between us I just don't trust that his angry outbursts won't affect dd if she's in his care, I'm not saying it to hurt him I actually worry for her emotional wellbeing, he can't be nice as pie towards her loving etc, but I just feel like he can't control his temper & that he won't use her to get to me. He came up to bed tonight & never said a word, I've come to sleep in my dd's room, I just can't comprehend how someone can be so heartless and pigheaded, I really don't know what to do tomorrow, my moms asked to come over and see dd, she hasn't been over since she fell out with dh a few months ago and I know he hates her coming over so I don't know what to tell her, how can I have my mom over here when there's such an atmosphere x

OP posts:
PhoenixIsFlying · 04/02/2020 23:03

I really feel for you because I have been in a very similar situation. My daughters father is a loving father but bi polar and cannot control his temper. She is 10 now and the thing that really broke me was seeing her telling him jokes to try and make him laugh to get him in a better mood. Sadly her anxiety escalated with his loss of temper and even he understood that she couldn’t cope anymore. He left last year and since then she has blossomed even the school told me she is a different child, no longer coming in looking anxious. Her dad moved quite far away and visits every other weekend. I am always with her, it is what she wants. We see just the good bits of him now as he knows he can’t stay if he is going to be in a bad mood. I am sorry that I let it get this bad but at least finally we have got there. It was very hard but I knew it was the right thing. Like you I own the property but we are not married. He wanted a big chunk but has since calmed down with that. Whether he will address that later down the line I don’t know. My heart goes out to you. You deserve so much more x

PhoenixIsFlying · 04/02/2020 23:07

When I said I am always with her, I meant when he sees her. He is ok with that and it works. Some men can find childcare hard so maybe he also would not be against supervised visits. Be prepared for him to initially tell you the opposite though ....he knows it will scare you. Don’t let him use fear as a weapon.

Davespecifico · 04/02/2020 23:12

You need to leave him.

PhoenixIsFlying · 04/02/2020 23:14

Could you suggest to your Mum that the three of you go out for lunch? X

KellyHall · 04/02/2020 23:15

My parents split up when I was 3. My "dad" is a manipulative, lying, angry man. He didn't bother turning up to the custody hearing and was supposed to see us every other weekend. He didn't bother a lot of the time, especially as we got older and weren't so easily controlled. Eventually I had to admit how toxic he was and told him I never wanted to see him again.

My mum was great, she always said her role model was Mary Poppins because her parents were pretty shitty. I always knew where I stood with her and she made absolutely sure above all else I knew I was important, valued and loved.

Dozer · 05/02/2020 07:22

Don’t say anything to him about or implying you’re considering leaving. Get some legal advice asap.

He’s a poor father and wouldn’t “do anything for her”: he COULD do lots of things for her, couldn’t he, if he chose, but hasn’t and isn’t.

Emjam143 · 05/02/2020 07:27

Thank you for your replies, ice woke up this morning feeling so sick with a horrible feeling in my stomach I'm scared of what to do next and dressing the bad atmosphere in the house today x

OP posts:
Dozer · 05/02/2020 07:39

Why is he around all day?

How about heading out somewhere for a while, you and DD?

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