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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 over after traumatic event

64 replies

Lottiesnanny · 12/11/2020 22:08

My husband hasn’t been happy for a few years now and i never see him smile! He’s angry sullen resentful and says I’m not the woman he married 10 years ago.
He says I have changed since the death of my son in law in traumatic circumstances 4 years ago. He was like a son to me and he and my daughter was the happiest couple with a brood of 7 children the youngest was only 3 when he died from sepsis 10 days after a vasectomy , in the family home. We all as a family suffered from some degree of ptsd after this and of course I have helped my daughter with the children while she got her life back together . He now says all my energy goes on my family and there is nothing left for him?! He says I should be over it by now 🤦‍♀️The straw that broke the camels back is 3 weeks ago my son and his fiancée split up and he asked if he could come back home while he sorted his head out ...6 months max . I told my husband and he was not happy but we are in the middle of a pandemic we have a spare room so he’s here .
You can cut the atmosphere with a knife my husband is so hostile. My son stays in his room it’s so uncomfortable. He said it’s the last straw and tonight he said he is leaving me ... His reasons he didn’t sign up to live with a 30 year old man , and he can’t live with someone with my level of anxiety ( which I’ve had since the death of my daughters husband. He said he feels resentful that his life isn’t going how he thought it would. Am I missing something am I wrong for helping my children when they need it. ?

OP posts:
Lottiesnanny · 13/11/2020 01:34

Wow so much love and support I’m touched😢 Some have asked if he has children he does All grown up and is really loving with them that’s kind of makes the whole sad sorry situation even worse .
I agree with those who say my anxiety may be better when he leaves... It is less when he’s not about for sure. Again Thankyou to you all ❤️

OP posts:
SengaMac · 13/11/2020 01:47

However much you may have changed/ withdrawn from him/ not placed him at the centre of your universe, you deserve better than he has been giving you

Definitely.
It doesn't sound as if he's tried to help you in any way. He's just been moaning about how awful everything is for him, while refusing to try and do anything about it.

If he chooses to take his moaning elsewhere, you'll feel such relief I'm sure.

Italiangreyhound · 13/11/2020 02:00

Lottiesnanny it sounds like you would welcome the end of your marriage. If that is what you want, then do go ahead.

But even if you do, please remember you do deserve a private life yourself. It's an awful tragedy that has affected your dd and her kids at the loss of her husband and father. And sad for your son to break up with his fiance. Of course you will always be there for your kids, and grandchildren.

But I really think you deserve some time yourself to get some help to process your PTSD and work through the grief.

You should not be 'over it' in four years, who can put a number on grief. However, if your dh is unhappy, he does have every right to question that, to question what he wants from life and to move on if that is right for him.

Maybe he is a very selfish man, or maybe he just realizes that life is short and he wants to be happy. I wouldn't blame him for that.

HoppingPavlova · 13/11/2020 02:31

What an utter arsehole. Get rid the prick. I’m sure your anxiety will improve immediately. Not resolve, no, but walking on eggshells can’t be helping it and will be making it worse.

I would never put up with any man like this.

For the poster up thread who mentioned their sex life may have gone downhill, I’m assuming you are a man? With a DH like that, acting in this way I wouldn’t be touching him with a 50 foot barge pole so that aspect would be moot anyway. Very unattractive behaviour.

Suzi888 · 13/11/2020 11:20

@HoppingPavlova

What an utter arsehole. Get rid the prick. I’m sure your anxiety will improve immediately. Not resolve, no, but walking on eggshells can’t be helping it and will be making it worse.

I would never put up with any man like this.

For the poster up thread who mentioned their sex life may have gone downhill, I’m assuming you are a man? With a DH like that, acting in this way I wouldn’t be touching him with a 50 foot barge pole so that aspect would be moot anyway. Very unattractive behaviour.

I agree with this. If someone is uncaring and well basically horrid, you don’t want to go to bed with them. Confused He obviously has it in him to be caring as he is with his own children.

Hope your ok OP, I think he is probably making you feel worse, not nice walking on egg shells for anyone.

CardinalCat · 17/11/2020 20:44

How are things,OP? How are you feeling?

Muchadoaboutlife · 17/11/2020 21:21

He’s selfish and disgusting. Sorry but does he really expect that people stay the same forever? Things happen. If one of his kids partners died what would have happened? He’s absolutely out of order and I don’t think he makes a good partner. I’d suggest you ask him to leave, get your poor son out of his room and enjoy lovely eves with your son. You have a wonderful opportunity here to spend quality time with your son who really needs you right now.

sage46 · 19/11/2020 19:45

Any man (or women) who pressures a mother to chose between them and their children is not worth having in your life.

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 19/11/2020 19:49

My exh was also very envious of my relationship with my dc..
Best day was when I threw him out and I didn't have to keep apologising for being a dm..

madcatladyforever · 19/11/2020 23:10

Its all about him isn't it. Has he ever considered that if he was supportive your relationship would have become stronger.
I'm not sure I'd want to be with someone like that.

Sunflower1970 · 20/11/2020 05:40

You sound like a lovely mother but I think it stands out that you put your children before him and he’s sick of it. I do have a hint of sympathy for him too. Your family has had a very traumatic time but in his eyes he is right at the bottom of the pile. You have grown up children and in some ways they should be standing in their own two feet ( quite rightly with a bit of help from you). If you didn’t have his agreement before your son moved back in it’s no wonder you can cut the atmosphere with a knife. It doesn’t sound like either of you are prioritizing your relationship

lovelemoncurd · 20/11/2020 06:02

Confused. Is your son also his son? Or someone else's? He's behaving like he's threatened by a 30 year old man. He ( your DH) sounds like a twat! Get rid.

LilyLongJohn · 20/11/2020 17:08

Your anxiety will be so much better once he's gone. I'd be packing him and bag and serving him divorce papers

LilyWater · 20/11/2020 20:26

I'm so sorry OP for what you and the family have been through, and I would do the same regarding your son Flowers

However, have you sought and receiving professional mental health support for your anxiety? We can never tell the full story since posts naturally have to be summarised and it struck me that you said he has been very unhappy for years, to the point he never smiles which is very concerning. How severe is your anxiety and any other issues, and how do they affect him? Caring for your family is one thing, but is there any truth in what he's saying regarding you neglecting your relationship with him for a long time? Has he always been an unsupportive person?

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