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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

Update - Have now split with hubby

62 replies

CL240 · 18/08/2020 00:28

Not sure if anyone read the original thread & was actually about mental IL's:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3570081-Grandparents-have-dumped-my-son-in-favour-of-new-grandchild?pg=1&messages=25

But 9 months on, I have now split with my husband. We separated 5 mths ago, he's now left the house & I'm in the process of buying him out.

The in-law stuff was the straw that broke the camel's back tbh. He didn't really stick up for me or our son & was behaving awfully towards me. Continual PA behaviour & I just no longer had the energy to carry on.

I always made excuses for him e.g. MH but actually he was highly manipulative & I see him for what he really is. At present, I am doing the lions share of childcare whilst working FT, he is renting a room with friends & preaching to anyone who'll listen what an evil witch I am.

But honestly, I've never been happier! Should have done it a long time ago.

OP posts:
SoulofanAggron · 18/08/2020 00:40

Well done @CL240 xxx It can be a revelation when you realize what a man is like.

Holothane · 18/08/2020 00:42

Well done hugs and good luck in your new life.

MushMonster · 18/08/2020 00:45

Flowers best for you OP. Better things are just round the corner for you.
I hope he did not learn from his mother, a thumbs up! Disgusting! She should have been clear and woman enough to tell you straight she was not having him any more Mondays.

CL240 · 18/08/2020 00:45

It really is. There was some great advice on the original thread re: the IL's & their narcissism, but that applied to STBXH as well.

Incidentally, I went completely NC with all of his family & haven't seen them for almost a year now. Bliss. That's another steaming pile of turd that's no longer my problem. As expected, they make very little effort with my son & aren't really in his life now. But he doesn't ask after them. My ex still desperately wants their approval & he won't ever get it.

The whole family are a bunch of lunatics.

OP posts:
CL240 · 18/08/2020 00:48

I'll have to get some tips from the online dating thread :) I must say, whilst I'm happy alone until the divorce is done, I'm half dreading / half excited about the online dating thing.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 18/08/2020 03:41

Well done for dumping him. When it comes to dating again, don't jump in too fast. Enjoy complete freedom for a while.

Mummyoflittledragon · 18/08/2020 05:09

Well done for recognising your husband is also like them and for getting away. Now you have the opportunity to break the cycle of abuse and your ds has a chance not to be like them all.

I agree with math about not rushing it. You’re more likely to find a decent, Uncontrolling man if you find you properly first.

ItsLateHumpty · 18/08/2020 05:59

What happened at Christmas? I think you were going away, but was there any fall out for not hosting / not being around?

(Yes, I’m nosy)

Beautiful3 · 18/08/2020 06:46

How come? I thought you were going away at christmas and were going nc with inlaws? Did something else happen to make you leave your husband?

FippertyGibbett · 18/08/2020 07:30

Well done you !
And NC with in-laws is always a good decision 🤣

Emeeno1 · 18/08/2020 07:36

Sorry but can anyone else not see the problem with this?

People online influencing other peoples behaviour in real life? People who have never met, do not know any of the parties involved, and have only one side of the story. This is deeply worrying.

PurpleFlower1983 · 18/08/2020 07:36

It sounds like you’ve made the right decision! Well done!

romeolovedjulliet · 18/08/2020 07:37

a great outcome, nooneshould haveto put up with that drama in their lives. his family sound like loony tunes, let them get on with it, you did the right thing and i hope your story inspires others to do the same rather than making do with second best and struggling on.

FlapsInTheWind · 18/08/2020 07:40

@Emeeno1

Sorry but can anyone else not see the problem with this?

People online influencing other peoples behaviour in real life? People who have never met, do not know any of the parties involved, and have only one side of the story. This is deeply worrying.

The OP knew how she was feeling about her domestic situation.

No-one is infuencing anyone.

Angrymum22 · 18/08/2020 07:52

I do Emeeno and it is deeply worrying. I do wonder if any of the ‘LTB posters’ have ever had a rl relationship. There is no balance to any of the posts. Most people come on here looking for validation and are usually successful. Mumsnet has become very anti men.

PaternosterLoft · 18/08/2020 08:04

@Angrymum22

I do Emeeno and it is deeply worrying. I do wonder if any of the ‘LTB posters’ have ever had a rl relationship. There is no balance to any of the posts. Most people come on here looking for validation and are usually successful. Mumsnet has become very anti men.
I'd say Mumsnet is anti shit relationships - some of whom happen to be with men. Or indeed MIL. Advice is given from people who have lived in shit relationships and know it's better not to be in a shit relationship.

Are you saying this Op should have stayed in a relationship that made her unhappy? One where 18 months ago she was being dicked around her MIL and her DH couldn't be bothered to stick up for her and their child? That's the sort of thing that opens your eyes - and that's when MN makes a good sounding board. No one makes changes in their life based on what some vipers on the internet say - you have to be ready in real life.

How many women this week have posted on MN about their sexually, physically and/or financially abusive partners and then - against repeated advice to LTB - gone 'nah, it's not that bad, he's a good dad and I love him' - probably as many as those who are ready to leave and looking for affirmation.

Codexdivinchi · 18/08/2020 08:11

@Emeeno1

Sorry but can anyone else not see the problem with this?

People online influencing other peoples behaviour in real life? People who have never met, do not know any of the parties involved, and have only one side of the story. This is deeply worrying.

Did you even bother to read the original thread? I suggest you do.

No one leaves happy relationships. No one comes on one day and gets told by random stranger to LTB and the poster agrees like a gormless idiot.

I’ve had been given invaluable advice on here. Many posters have walked the same path and can spot similar red flags/situations and call them out.

OP I’m really glad your in a good space. I’m four months in to separation but still in the same house till January. I’m really looking forward to the future to and yes no dick head in-laws whoooooooo!

DianasLasso · 18/08/2020 08:14

Ah, the Stepfordians have arrived!

No-one in a happy, functioning relationship thinks "I know, I'll post online then let a bunch of strangers talk me into leaving for no reason at all."

It just doesn't work like that.

Sometimes a woman who is getting increasingly desperate about an unhappy situation, but boiled frog like can't put her finger on why she's feeling desperate, posts about something seemingly innocuous, then it turn out that that seemingly innocuous thing is the first crack in the dam holding back years worth of other stuff.

But MN really isn't a den of harpies wrecking happy marriages.

Anyway, congrats OP. Flowers. Good to hear things are working out for you even if it's hard work.

Nomorepies · 18/08/2020 08:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request.

Iloveacurry · 18/08/2020 08:34

I remember you original thread. Well done op, sounds like you’ve made the right decision.

ALLIS0N · 18/08/2020 08:35

@Emeeno1 I wouldn’t worry, there’s the rest of the internet out there for balance. As well as 99% of Tv and Films.

Fear not, the patriarchy is alive and well.

ItsLateHumpty · 18/08/2020 08:37

Did you even bother to read the original thread?

I’d say not Codexdivinchi because if Emeeno1 had they’d know the original thread was about the MIL and OP wasn’t looking for reasons to, or even asking about, leaving her marriage.

I’d also say how rude Emeeno1 etc for thinking the OP is so feeble-minded she’d leave a happy marriage on the say so of some randos on the t’internet Hmm

oakleaffy · 18/08/2020 08:42

@Angrymum22

I do Emeeno and it is deeply worrying. I do wonder if any of the ‘LTB posters’ have ever had a rl relationship. There is no balance to any of the posts. Most people come on here looking for validation and are usually successful. Mumsnet has become very anti men.
I agree too... A bloke only has to forget to take the bins out, and it is

''Selfish Dickwad-LTB''

No wonder there are so many broken, fractured families, and the kids suffer hugely.

The parent leaving may be ''happy''...but the kid/s often aren't.

My son said recently {he is now adult}
''Boys generally NEED a man in their life, they are programmed to seek another male's influence''...

More fractured families are just so sad..

ItsLateHumpty · 18/08/2020 08:45

My son said recently {he is now adult}
''Boys generally NEED a man in their life, they are programmed to seek another male's influence''...

Umm I’m confused. Do dads go up in a puff of smoke if a couple splits up? Does he suddenly stop being a dad? Or does it only work if there is a woman around to wipe arses or something?

CL240 · 18/08/2020 08:47

@ItsLateHumpty leading up to xmas ex had been having problems at work too. Allegedly people ganging up on him / managing him out. This had been going.for for well over a year.

Incidentally problems at work was the same excuse he trotted out when he had the original breakdown so my guard was up that the same thing could be happening again, I.e always someone else's fault.

Anyways....we went away, had a wonderful time as he didn't have to think about life or any responsibility. As soon as real life came back in Jan, he was coming home from work in a very negative mood, going straight to bed. Just disengaged, not contributing to the house.

He then came back one day insisting that I needed to let him get another job. I found that hard to swallow given I'd been saying for 18 mths if you don't like it, then go. I'd even done his CV, wrote cover lwtters and applications.

My only condition was that he found something else before resigning..with a family to support that is perfectly reasonable.

Wasnt just the job - he had never bothered to learn to cook, didnt do housework, DIY, every project at home was my idea, procrastinatong over everything, no desire or motivation to better himself.

Separated in March and moved him to spare room..he didnt even give a toss and didnt fight for the marriage at all.

Now I see he had checked out and just didnt have the balls to end it. But I will not be treated like that. I'd rather be single. The separation has been an eye opener with him trying to unsettle our son and get in his head.

All you ladies living with covert narcissists / passive aggressive man children..just go they only get worse!

I cant allow my son to think that was a healthy relationship..we argued loads in the end and he made my question my sanity..

OP posts: