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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

Do I give up on my husband

191 replies

2sticksange · 02/11/2020 23:57

Hello, many that's for anyone who makes it to the end of my story.

I really am just after independent advice.

I have been with my husband for 18 years (married for 6).

On a regular basis my husband threatens to leave me. It's normal for my husband to have a bad day and pack his bags and leave me only to return 5 hours later. This has happened so often that our children (12 and 14) consider these days as "domino's days". This is not because my children don't care but because they rarely see their father who only ever acknowledges them in order to order them to bed. they are beautiful, kind and very clever boys who I love deeply.

On a daily basis my husband will insult me (For fucks sake you are such a F*ing Cretin, Idiot, Imbecile, lazy Bitch, cow etc) and will constantly criticise everything I do. My husband humiliates me in front of my family (I only have my elderly father and this regularly brings him to tears) and I am not allowed to do anything in the house for fear of the fact that I am useless at everything I do From DIY, keeping the house.

We married 6 years ago because my husband threatened me that he would leave me and the kids if I didn't agree to a wedding (I was never bothered about getting married, we had two lovely kids and I never felt marriage was necessary). Don't get mr wrong it was a lovely wedding and I had a good day.

Friends and family have always commented on my husbands attitude towards me.. Many friends have been advising me to "escape"for a while now and it came to a head recently when a person I know professionally slipped my the telephone number of the local women's refuge. I was mortified and can no longer ignore the way my husband treats me .

I insisted on marriage guidance counselling and my husband confirmed that he resents the fact that we had children. He feels that I am entirely responsible for him becoming a father and family man and thinks that without us he would have a glittering career and be successful. ( PS he earns a 6 figure salary and still does the same job he did when I met him)

His reason for hating me is that he wishes we we still going out and having fun with our friends like we did in our twenties when we met (doesn't everyone in their forties think this). and that we don't have any sex anymore.

1, The reason we don't go out any more is because my husband works and lives away 5 days a week (this was to resolve his previous desire to go out and party like he did as a student and allowed him to spend at least four night s week that he didn't have any responsibilities, whilst I looked after the house and kids). My husband never introduces or invites me out with his friends etc ( I suspect he doesn't have many)- he rarely has a good word to say about his work colleagues and has twice been reprimanded for bullying of female colleagues.

I however have a very full social life with my friends who invite him to join us regularly. He has very few friends and he has told me quite simply that they don't like me and therefore does not involve me in his social life. But importantly, he never even suggests that the two of us go out together as a couple.the only time this ever happens is if I book us a weekend away as a wedding anniversary surprise.

  1. My husband refuses any intimacy. The last time I tried to be spontaneously intimate with my husband he elbowed me in the face and gave me a black eye for touching him when he didn't want it. I now have to ask permission for a hug or a kiss. Having to ask permission of your husband to carry out what I believe the be a spontaneous intimate act between husband and wife is quite demeaning.

My husband states that he is not prepared to have a sexual relationship without romance but blocks any chance of romance in our relationship leaving me pretty much in lingo. ( he once bought me flowers and when I accepted the he stated "I don't know why I Bought them because I hate you"). there is no romance in our relationship but it is definitely not because I am not trying.

Other excuses have been "you have gotten fat since I married you and I don't see you in a sexual way any more. I agree I have put on weight, (I am a size bigger from when we got married) I definitely drink too much but I believe that your don't lose weight to feel better but you will lose weight if you feel better and quite frankly for the last 4 years I have felt miserable.

Earlier this year I raised the issue of the no sex in our house problem and he invited two friends around who like to swing.(I cooked dinner as I thought they were just uni friends) This resulted in me having a conversation with the boring husband about cars whilst my husband sat under a blanket getting frisky with the wife whilst grinning at me all night .

Apparently this was fine because I had every chance to pull the husband. He has regularly repeated that if I want sex I am welcome to go get it elsewhere.

But ultimately I really want a loving relationship with my husband.

Do I give up......Is there any chance that my relationship can change...

OP posts:
TheClitterati · 03/11/2020 00:28

Leave the bastard

MiddlesexGirl · 03/11/2020 00:29

Don't forget to do all the ground work before filling for divorce. ie. get the evidence of how much he is worth so that you get a decent financial settlement to reflect your years of being a sahp and he can't weasel out of his child maintenance responsibilities either.

lilmishap · 03/11/2020 00:29

It's awful when you finally stop, turn around and look back and realise how badly you are being treated, it's a horrible horrible moment.
The natural instinct is to reach out to the person that you know (or think you know)for comfort, because it leaves your self-esteem in the bin. Please do not reach out to him despite all of your instincts telling you that you should try to.

There is a better man out there for you.

lilmishap · 03/11/2020 00:31

Being alone and even being lonely is so much better than what you're going through.

Right now that probably terrifies you, Because he's likely destroyed you.

That will fade if you get away from him

ThirdThoughts · 03/11/2020 00:32

What a horrible situation, it's not salvageable. He hates and resents you and your lovely boys.

Speak to women's aid and get legal advice about how to end this torture.

Imagine a home where you and your sons are safe from his contempt, resentment and dramatic leaving performances. It's worth fighting for.

OnceUponAMidnightBeery · 03/11/2020 00:34

I desperately hope this is not real.

Get out, get out, get out

justilou1 · 03/11/2020 00:34

I suspect there is a hell of a lot more to be gained by leaving this arsehole. Thank god you married him! Go see a solicitor with every bank balance, phone record, mortgage payment, birth & marriage certificate you can find and just file for separation.

MrDarcysMa · 03/11/2020 00:35

If this is re then please get your poor children away from him ASAP

MrDarcysMa · 03/11/2020 00:36

*real

thisgardenlife · 03/11/2020 00:36

Is this for real? If it is real you must listen and take immediate action: you need to leave as quickly as you can. Call Women's Aid and set things in motion.

What you have described is horrific. Not OK. Save yourself and your lovely children. ACT NOW.

BrummyMum1 · 03/11/2020 00:39

Seriously you need to leave him, the way he treats you shouldn’t be witnessed by your children.

DoctorManhattan · 03/11/2020 00:39

As a man, I’m actually embarrassed to read this. He is utterly vile and sounds like he has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Do not waste another minute of your life - or your boys’ - on this sorry excuse for a husband. We all get a finite number of days on this earth and it’s a shame that he is wasting yours.

Geppili · 03/11/2020 00:42

Oh my god, Op, please leave him. He sounds vile. Your kids will be growing up thinking this is how a normal relationship works. Thanks

Californiabakes · 03/11/2020 00:43

Get a divorce.

lilmishap · 03/11/2020 00:44

LTB Leave the bastard.

You've had 18 years of conditioned training that this is acceptable. It's going to take a lot for you to change your mind about it, but you must have started or you wouldn't have posted.

There is not one man out there who will love you, there are many men out there who will love you. But not while you hate yourself, get away from him.

That must seem terrifying after 18 years. Please trust everybody that will reply to this thread we're not lying.

Aquamarine1029 · 03/11/2020 00:49

Are you joking? How can this possibly be real?

If it is, give your head a massive wobble and raise your standards. Your marriage is a fucking hellscape. Get a solicitor and get rid of this bastard.

Yohoheaveho · 03/11/2020 00:49

THIS MAN BAD MAN
VERY BAD MAN
LEAVE

thequeenoftarts · 03/11/2020 00:49

You poor woman, you deserve much better than this sad excuse of a bully.

Staffy1 · 03/11/2020 01:00

Next time he packs his bags and leaves change the locks.

Derbee · 03/11/2020 01:02

You need to increase his 5 days away, to 7

Woui · 03/11/2020 01:03

He is disgusting. Stop enabling him, while potentially showing your children how not to do a relationship. Ewwww seriously gross.

Rainbunny · 03/11/2020 01:05

Well as we're heading into a lockdown again it's not ideal but as soon as you can I advise you to get a good sense of where your finances stand, make copies of statements etc so you have solid evidence and quietly consult a lawyer to get information on the next steps.

My response assumes that you are considering leaving him, I hope you are! Your boys are definitely being affected by him, trust me underneath they're not just laughing off his behaviour as "domino days." He's emotionally abusive and that extends to his children as well as you.

Start making plans, it sounds like you have good friends for support and help so use them. Good luck.

edwinbear · 03/11/2020 01:07

Please don’t let your lovely boys grow up thinking this is how men behave. Please get them and yourself away from this piece of shit.

essexmum777 · 03/11/2020 01:13

Check out the freedom program - to realise that he treats you like shit,
LTB because he treats you like shit.

Wiredforsound · 03/11/2020 01:15

Leave. The. Bastard. Jesus Christ, what are you still doing with that twat? Kick him out. Let him go and live permanently in his student flat or wherever it is he lives four nights a week.

Now I’ve got that of my chest - your family hates him, your friends hate him, his colleagues hate him, even random strangers hate him. He is not a nice man or a good person, he’s loathsome, and you and your boys deserve so much better. You’re not giving up, you’re making a strategic decision to improve yours and your children’s lives. Take control. He’s not going to change, so you need to decide what you want to do about that.

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