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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

Husband out most nights

53 replies

MrsHagfoot · 17/02/2020 15:49

Long post alert.
I’m really struggling with home life. We have been married for 17 years and have 2 teenage sons. All of a sudden DH is out most nights. He also works full time Tuesday to Saturday 9-5.
On a Monday evening he has started to work as a ski instructor from 2-9pm (believe me it is not for money, the pay is rubbish and he’d need to work for a few years to pay off how much it cost him to qualify).
Tuesday - DS no1 does hockey training, DH has now taken it up as well. I have to take DS to his training as starts earlier then DH goes to his and they both come home together at aporox 8.45 and expect dinner to be ready
Wednesday - he stays in
Thursday - DS no2 has hockey training which I take him to, have to get back to make dinner as DH has tennis and doesn’t get back till 10.30pm
Friday - DH goes straight to skiing from work and gets home at 10.45pm
Saturday - DH does paid job 9-5 but now goes out during day to play a hockey match. He has always refused in the past to take time off on a Saturday and I’ve spent every Sat looking after boys since they were born. I’ve found it very difficult esp when they were young as I don’t have family nearby and all friends were busy with their families on a Saturday.
Sunday - DH often goes to the dry ski slope to teach
I tried to do something once a week for me but DS no2 was home alone from when he got back from school until 8.30pm and unfortunately he suffers with low mood and really struggled without someone there.
In January DH went on a skiing holiday and took boys only because the people he was going with refused to take him unless the boys went as well. He also went alone skiing with my bother and his family last year. I’ve not had a foreign holiday for years.
Writing this down is making me realise I’m either stupid or selfish.
I got the guts to talk about it with him this morning as we’d taken half term off only for me to find out he had made plans all week. it is my Birthday tomorrow and he said he’d book a table at 9pm when he gets back from hockey training - how thoughtful. He also said he had to do the ski instructing as he needs the money. He does about 9shifts a month and brings home £200 in total but has spent approx £3.5k qualifying. He also said why would he stay at home in the evening as he has nothing to do. Then he turned everything around to be about him and helpfully finished off by saying he would walk into the sea.
I work Monday-fri 9-5 and have an hour commute home so I am the last back. I am also responsible for all the shopping, cleaning and cooking etc.
To cut a very long story short I am unhappy and lonely. I know I should leave but have no money to do so and wouldn’t be able to take the boys because I couldn’t put a roof over their heads. We don’t even have a spare bedroom for me to move into.
I’d be so grateful of some advice or even a way I could understand it from his point of view.

OP posts:
Greenkit · 17/02/2020 15:53

Well he has written you out of his life, well except for making him food, washing and cleaning I bet.

When is your time together?
If he cant make time for you and your relationship, why even stay?

He could take DS to hockey on a Tuesday, but that's the least of your worries

12345kbm · 17/02/2020 16:01

He's checked out of the marriage OP. I'm really sorry as you sound heartbroken.

He threatened to 'walk into the sea' when you challenged him so he's using emotional manipulation to do what he wants.

However, it seems as though you've been alone for a long time. You say that you spent weekend by yourself with the children when they were babies.

He obviously didn't discuss the money for the ski instructor training.

SleepingStandingUp · 17/02/2020 16:10

What are things like ona Wednesday op?

Honestly I'd scale back what you're doing for him. He expects dinner on the table? Tough shit. He knows where the kitchen is.

How old are the boys?

Could you do something the night ds2 us out if you're concerned about him being home alone?

Bobbybobbins · 17/02/2020 16:12

Oh OP totally understand why you feel lonely.

Agree with the above that you need to stop making all meals etc for him. Do you have any hobbies? Could you ask for (demand?) a week night out doing something to get him to see how selfish his behaviour is?

CoffeeCoinneseur · 17/02/2020 16:20

Ok so I can see you’ve tried talking to him and his response was he’ll just walk into the sea - what a
gobshite!

Well I’d stop cooking, washing or doing anything for him. I take it you’re doing pretty much everything thing at home to facilitate his free time. Keep everything separate so that when you do leave him you can say you’ve already been officially separated for a while.

Take yourself off out of the house on a Tuesday evening so that DH has to take your DS to hockey and then hang around until his training starts.

Go and see a solicitor. You’d probably be surprised at how the finances would work out.

MrsHagfoot · 17/02/2020 16:21

Thank you for the replies.
I know you are right.
As for hobbies, 1 I have no spare money and 2 my self esteem is so very low at the moment I’m starting to struggle with the basics.
I know I need to get out I just don’t know how. I can’t afford anywhere and I don’t want to leave my boys.

OP posts:
litterbird · 17/02/2020 16:27

I feel for you, I see so many posts by women who do everything for their husbands and family and then one day wake up lonely and the partner has checked out as you have become housemaid/mother. Just stop doing all of this. No woman in a partnership should do it all, its insane. You have worth, you have a right to a life outside of work. Stand up for yourself and stop pandering to everyone...just stop.

bigchris · 17/02/2020 16:33

Why Would you be the one to move out!

Go and see a solicitor and put the appointment on the fridge

bigchris · 17/02/2020 16:33

Also tell his family why you're doing it , sounds like they're facilitating him by taking him abroad skiing and not you

billy1966 · 17/02/2020 16:34

Well OP,
You are married to a selfish gobshite of the highest order.
He'd walk into the seaHmm.

Well he feels no loyalty or kindness towards you. That's clear.

I would cease being the housekeeper.

Stop everything you do for him.
That should help you with your self respect.

You now know where you stand.
Can your boys share a room?
Because you need to stop sharing a bedroom with this selfish twat.

Please reach out for support IRL.

anotherdisaster · 17/02/2020 16:36

You have no money for hobbies? So how does he afford skiing, hockey and tennis?? I assume the finances are not shared equally.
He is a selfish areshole. Go and see a solicitor and get your ducks in a row. This selfish man won't change. As for the emotional blackmail of 'walking into the sea'... ask him when he will be able to fit that activity into his busy schedule?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/02/2020 16:40

What are you getting out of this relationship now?. Nothing from what I can read here in your post. Focus on the fact that you need to get out along with your kids.

I would think your H and his overall abuse towards you (and in turn his children) are the root causes of your anxiety and low self worth.

What did you learn about relationships when you were growing up?.

What do you want to teach your children about relationships and what are they learning here from you two?. He is no father to them either and is certainly no sort of H to you. This is not good enough for them or you for that matter either.

Knowledge is power; seek legal advice asap and make plans to separate from your H with due care and attention. And if anyone should move out here it is he; I would look at obtaining both non molestation and occupation orders.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/02/2020 16:42

Such men sadly never walk into the sea; abusive men say such to keep their chosen target, in this case you and by extension your kids, in line.

Womens Aid and the Rights of Women organisations are certainly worth contacting here. Do use their services.

MrsHagfoot · 17/02/2020 17:11

With my bitch head on....
His step mother is paying off our mortgage in the next couple of months. She is waiting for the sale of one of her properties to complete, she is also paying off his sister’s mortgage. Should I wait until then as if the property is shared I would actually have a decent deposit to move on?🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
blissfulllife · 17/02/2020 17:17

I'd wait!

cushioncovers · 17/02/2020 17:27

Yep wait. Make plans but yes wait and then get a divorce. He has emotionally and virtually physically checked out of your marriage. It's painfully heartbreaking. I know I've been there. Best thing I did was end it for my sanity and self esteem. Didn't feel like it at the time but it was a turning point for me.

12345kbm · 17/02/2020 17:33

You need to do everything you can to protect yourself. If that means waiting, then do that.

Perhaps get some counselling to raise your self esteem.

You can get legal advice from your local CABx or Lawworks.

Gingerbread for anything relating to the children eg maintenance.

If you can't afford counselling perhaps see what's available at your local Domestic Abuse organisation or see if any therapy schools offer low cost therapy.

billy1966 · 17/02/2020 19:57

Absolutely wait OP.
Hold your fire and keep your powder dry!!

Flowers
Pumpkinpie1 · 17/02/2020 20:19

If that’s the case I would use the next few months to plan and prepare for your separate futures
Use Tuesday night as your mental health day
Perhaps you could go for counselling then do something for you to help you find some joy
Start training your kids to do chores they need to learn they have to help and not be like their dad
Find out as much as you can about divorce, your finances , get a good solicitor on standby
Would movingl to be nearer your family be better for you
Be kind to yourself and start preparing for a future where you remember to value yourself
If you don’t take care of yourself how will you be well enough to look after your DC x

AhNowTed · 18/02/2020 02:30

First things first, STOP doing everything for him.

Why are you the only cook and cleaner?

"Expects" his dinner? Fuck that!!

Winterlife · 18/02/2020 02:41

Is he attentive when he stays in on Wednesdays?

poopbear · 18/02/2020 04:48

Definitely wait! In the meantime start working on your self esteem. How about finding something you enjoy doing like yoga or swimming.

Wallywobbles · 18/02/2020 05:01

And start looking at accommodation nearer to your work. Why when you work full time can you not afford to leave? That seems odd.

You have a couple of months to gather the paperwork, get legal advice and start planning your future.

Dustarr73 · 18/02/2020 05:03

How old are the kids.Do they not have any friends to go out on a weekend with.

  1. Stop doing anything for him.
  2. The night your DH stays in,you go out.Plan something for you.
  3. Get your DC with the lowmood some help.
TheRugbyValkyrie · 18/02/2020 05:15

I'm really sorry to read about your situation.
Sending a big hug and Flowers.

As previous posters have said, stop facilitating this man to behave like an utter shit.
Train your boys to help with the chores.
Get legal advice and get together all important documents, put them in a safe (well hidden) place.
Treat yourself to time alone. Maybe on a Wednesday?

What is the situation with your finances? I find it concerning that you work full time but "have no money."

Someone who is so self centred, isn't going to walk into the sea. Someone who behaves like such a shit is inevitably full of shit.

Get some support in real life and start focusing on you.

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