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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

Lockdown hell with horrible husband

77 replies

Patsypig · 26/04/2020 22:34

I’m just writing this to get it off my chest and also I have no one to talk to.
It’s hard being on lockdown with my husband. He has a bad temper and I don’t think he’s a very good parent sometimes or husband.
I think he’s angry about having to be stuck at home with us. We have 3 little boys, 6, 4 and 1 year old. He hates looking after them so I do it on my own mostly, which is challenging but also lovely.
I think he’s depressed. He chooses to sleep on the sofa downstairs on his own drinking large amounts every night. He probably begins drinking at 2pm. He drinks at least one Or two bottles of wine a night and quite a few cans of beer (he’s had over 10 tonight). He’s angry that he can’t go to the pub, that sports is cancelled on the tv and that he can’t go off to work. He usually works away for weeks at a time, he goes to exotic places. When he’s not at work he doesn’t have any work to do at home but he pretends he’s working in his office just to escape us, sometimes I go in and he’s usually just watching YouTube videos.
I feel anxious all the time that he’ll fly off the handle. I can’t talk to him, he just gets angry and takes offence and says it’s everyone else. He shouts at us, swearing at the boys. Tells me he hates them. Calls them awful things and tells them to F off. They say he’s not very nice but they are so used to him they think it’s normal.
I’m sad I feel lonely and unsupported. There is a major lack of intimacy. He isn’t interested in talking to me and never wants to do anything with me anyway. We used to go for a meal once a year. We maybe had sex once or twice last year in 2019 but not had it once in 2020. He doesn’t talk to me unless it’s to give me orders or tell me to take kids away (which is hard on lockdown)
Once I’ve put the kids to bed he stays downstairs drinking on his own. He says it’s his time. He asks me to go away.
He’s very bossy and controlling. I had a good job that I’d managed to continue through having 3 kids. He made me give it up because he hated having to look after them for a few hours wen he was home. I have a little of my own money because he doesn’t support me much, it’s running out.
Maybe I should leave him. I don’t know what to do. I do love him. I’m not sure if he loves me. I do think he loves the boys even though he says awful things. We’ve been together a long time. It feels like he’s getting worse. However in front of other people he’s a completely different person. He even has a different voice and isn’t so mean.
His mum knows what he’s like though. He’s awful to her too

OP posts:
Patsypig · 26/04/2020 23:38

Thank you everyone for replying
It really helps to be able to talk and to hear people confirm it’s not normal.
I will make a careful plan to leave some how for my boys

OP posts:
mummmy2017 · 26/04/2020 23:41

You do know you own half the house!
Half the bank accounts,
Loads of his pension.
And half of any other assets.
Walk away start again , give your boys the mum who fights for them.

Rottnest · 26/04/2020 23:47

If you won't or cannot leave for yourself, then leave for your children, please.
There is nothing worse than growing up in a toxic household like this, which will only damage your children for life, and their future relationships.
Take the advice offered on here, take your time, plan, prepare and go..
If you stay in this awful situation it will destroy you and damage your children, badly.

Good luck, and best wishes for a happier future away from this revolting man.

Rottnest · 26/04/2020 23:53

You say you don't know if he loves you, well, he loves alcohol more and will be unable to give it up without a lot of professional help. He will not be able to do it alone, even if he wanted to do so.

Take action and protect your young children, while you still can.
Best wishes for a better future!

SliAnCroix · 26/04/2020 23:56

It's not love OP. It's an approval seeking dynamic.

check out this great channel There are lots of gurus on youtube but this woman is particularly good.

Lady1576 · 27/04/2020 00:01

I agree with the other posters; if you have been able to survive what’s happening at home now and bring up three boys with the opposite of help, you’ll be fine, in fact much better, without him. Once this is over, starting out without him will have challenges, but you’ll be doing it without the fear of upsetting him, without the second guessing yourself etc. My ex was a good man in some ways but he was an alcoholic like you describe and he left me. He’d be very unhappy with life (including life with me) and be as drunk as you describe. I didn’t realise at time, how nice it would be to not have to deal with the daily drunken night rants. .... but it is sooo nice! You already know it’s bad, but it’s only once you’ve left that you realise how bad it actually was. The house and any assets he has are half yours mentioned by pp.

SliAnCroix · 27/04/2020 00:13

michelle lee nieves

lisa A Romano

stephanie lynn coaching

Here are a few channels, as you can see, what you're enduring is not uncommon at all. So many women find themselves in the situation you're in and they need help to get the clarity to make a decision they can act on.
I hope these help get your head in the right place.

SliAnCroix · 27/04/2020 00:17

Fear Obligation and Guilt. That's why it's hard to break away. It's called ''Fog''

And it's not love, it's trauma bonding.

Honestly.

lalafafa · 27/04/2020 00:32

F

Cher3 · 27/04/2020 01:57

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Cher3 · 27/04/2020 01:57

*boys

Honeybee85 · 27/04/2020 02:01

This is no way to live OP.
Think about what kind of mental damage this does to your DC and to you.

Let this lockdown be the eye opener/ wake up call that you needed. Leave him, this relationship is toxic and can not be fixed.
Give yourself and your DC a chance of a better life in a safe home.

Zupermumm · 27/04/2020 02:48

Hi OP. I’m in a similar situation to you. Horrible DH who is just nasty to his parents, and my kids. I hate him, but can’t see a way to leave right now. Plus the thought of him having access to my kids without me around scares me to bits. I live a fine line of not wanting them exposed to his horrid, nasty behaviour and wanting to be there to comfort and protect them for him which I can’t to if he gets 50/50 access. I am biding my time by keeping a journal of all the horrid things he says, and when, and also keeping track of finances etc. I do this in a secure, password protected document. I’m hoping by the time i leave there will be enough instances in my journal for my lawyer to argue that he can only have supervised visitation with the kids or very limited access. It’s such a shit way to live, and I know it is damaging to the kids, but I don’t see any other way at the moment. Please take care of yourself and be ready to kick him out the minute he becomes violent or steps out of line.

thelocalwoolieshasnotp · 27/04/2020 04:36

He doesn't love you or his kids. What on earth do you love about him?! He tells your kids to fuck off! Please don't be one of those women who stays with a shit man and father because she 'loves him'

ByeByeMissAmericanPie · 27/04/2020 07:52

@Patsypig - spend some time reading up on all of this. These boards are really useful and have many contributors who are wise people!

Read the Lundy book recommended up thread and sign up to do The Freedom Programme online. Get your ducks in a row with regards to household finances. Gather as much info as possible. Find the children’s passports and yours.

Call Women’s Aid or email them. Or can you call or confide in a friend? Do you have any family around that could help?

Ilovethekittehs · 27/04/2020 10:16

Alcohol will scar your kids. Leave.

TheRealCaroleBaskin · 27/04/2020 10:31

There was a similar thread the other day about an awful husband and the eldest DS had already started to copy his father by how he spoke to his poor mum. Don't let those be your children.

Johnsonsfiat · 27/04/2020 10:31

Zupermumm and Patseypig- best wishes and hope you both find a way to leave safely and soon.

tarasmalatarocks · 27/04/2020 11:30

He is a grade A areshole, put on your big girl pants and start investigating what you would get, including maintenance, if he’s a decent earner then there’s every chance you can stay where you are , you need to get looking into all this. He clearly doesn’t love you and just sounds a nasty piece of work, you deserve far better for you and the kids. Being on your own would be challenging but actually mentally may be way easier

Patsypig · 27/04/2020 12:14

Although there were issues mounting things weren’t to bad before lockdown. Me and the boys were out at clubs and play areas, parks and parties. He was at work or the pub etc. I think he resents missing out on the single lifestyle which he continues to lead anyway and is angry lockdown is stopping him doing what he enjoys.
He’s not accepting he has a drink problem or depression. He says he’s normal and I’m weird as I don’t really drink, I find I don’t have time or feel the need tbh and I’m still breast feeding.

Sadly I think history does seem to repeat. I think his father was similar in ways.

I’m going to have to get my ducks in a row before sorting this out, making sure we suffer minimum repercussions. It’s not as simple as just moving out. We have no where to go and I can’t leave the pets but I’m making plans

He was charming and nice at first. I fell for him. However I should have followed my instincts, there were early signs which I ignored. I didn’t have anyone to talk to.
Things have got worse since having children and giving up work after my latest maternity. I think this is because he has more control.

The sad thing is I don’t think he sees any of the bad things he does. It’s our fault for being in the house, making mess and getting in his way. He says he shouldn’t have to put up with it. He says it’s ridiculous that the pub is closed. He justifies his behaviour and the need to drink.
We’ve already had coronavirus as he brought it back from travels. He thinks he should therefore be allowed out ..I could go on and on but all I can say is if your in a Controlling relationship and you see early signs follow your instincts and get out before it’s gets complicated

He’s started early on the beer today. 🙄

It’s done me good to write all this down and have a moan. So thanks

OP posts:
newstarting · 27/04/2020 12:41

This isn’t a relationship.
You’ve accepted a very low standard of partner. He’s not a partner! What does he do for you? For the kids? Your name isn’t on the house. He gives you nothing. He doesn’t take you out or treat you nicely. He is disrespectful and horrible. You know this isn’t right. If you can’t do it for you, do it for your boys. They will end up treating their wives like this or years in therapy due to unhappiness/depression. He is their only role model. How utterly awful. You’re condemning your kids to a really shit life if you let him keep doing this. You have to be strong for them. Email a solicitor and find out your rights. You are married. You get half of everything. Do you have anybody else you could stay with? You need to just pack a bag and take your boys and leave or tell him “we don’t want you here anymore. You need to leave”. You’ve posted on here because you know you need to get out. Once you’re out you need extensive therapy to help you understand why you love somebody who would treat you like this. You can do better. You deserve better. Your boys deserve a peaceful home. You will literally be saving their lives by leaving him.
We are all here for you. You can do this!

newstarting · 27/04/2020 12:44

Look at what you wrote

Sadly I think history does seem to repeat. I think his father was similar in ways.

Do you want your kids wives posting this on here in years to come? I don’t drink. Lots of my friends don’t drink. We’re not all weird. His behaviour is weird and abnormal. He isn’t normal OP. Your marriage isn’t normal. People have happy, loving, caring partners. That’s the norm. Kick him to the kerb. Then you can say to your kids in later years how you showed them how to stand up to a bully. Be resolved. You are done carrying this marriage.

newstarting · 27/04/2020 12:45

Can you get your job back? Put the kids in nursery? Have you not got any friends/family who would put you up for a few months?

Potterurotter · 27/04/2020 12:49

Get rid of him. Get your life back for you and your kids. How can it be any worse without him?

pooopypants · 27/04/2020 12:56

I made it as far as "drinking 2 bottles of wine each night"

He's controlling and abusive. He's vile.

Please take some action before your boys begin to think that the way he treats you and them, is normal. It is not. You all deserve better.

What's the housing situation?

There are places you can go - Women's Aid will be able to help you.