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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

Should I Give Up On This Marriage?

35 replies

Rosemary26 · 09/12/2020 18:17

My husband and I have been together for almost 6 years. Throughout that time his mom has ridiculed and criticized me...and it’s getting worse. I tried to be accommodating and kind to her, but I’ve given up.

A couple of years ago I left my husband for a brief time when his behavior spun out of control. He’d become abusive, physically and mentally, and I no longer felt safe. He’s no longer drinking and I hoped that we eventually overcame the worst of it. However, his mom has been insulting me about it ever since, believing that everything is my fault...and getting him to believe that, too. She’s called me names to him, poked fun at the fact that I’m half Jewish. I feel that she’s actually quite a toxic woman. And my husband does nothing to defend me. When I try to open up to him about how I feel he shuts me down and makes excuses for her, even going so far as to say that he understands why she feels that way about me.

Today he told me that she’s coming over for Christmas. Even though we’re supposed to be isolating due to the threat of Coronavirus... I told him that, if that’s happening, I will leave and go for a long walk somewhere so that he can have time with his mother without it damaging my mental health so much. He freaked out and started arguing with me, saying I owe it to him to be there when she comes over and that my leaving and refusing to accompany them means I don’t care about him. He called her a “normal, healthy mom.” And now, at the end of the argument, he told me I will be spending Christmas alone at our apartment while he celebrates with his mom. He called her and made this arrangement. And now I’m getting his famous silent treatment because he expects me to be the one to come to him and apologize.

I feel like I’m about to pull my hair out. This makes me feel like I don’t know if this relationship is worth me sticking around. Any opinions or advice would be so appreciated.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 09/12/2020 18:20

If I were you, I would leave right this minute. Your marriage is a nightmare. Seriously, is there anywhere you can go?

Thingsdogetbetter · 09/12/2020 18:26

Bluntly: Give it up. She's abusive. He was and still is abusive. She will always be more important to him because they are dysfunctional. You're martyring yourself for nothing.

AudTheDeepAndCrispAndEven · 09/12/2020 18:28

Can't quite see why you're still there now to be honest, he doesn't give a fuck does he?

RogersVideo · 09/12/2020 18:29

There are multiple reasons in your post to leave your marriage. It sounds truly awful. Leave OP x

user1936863452 · 09/12/2020 18:29

No, an abusive relationship is not worth sticking around for.

nancybotwinbloom · 09/12/2020 18:33

Leave.

He sounds like a spoilt Mummies boy.

Holothane · 09/12/2020 18:44

Get ducks and go, why have yet another Christmas with her nasty comments his sulks drinking. Hugs

Elieza · 09/12/2020 19:16

He should have stood up for you. But no. He spoke up to her.

He’s horrible. Apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Neither of them respect you. You can’t have live without mutual respect. He therefore doesn’t love you. Why stay for that when you could start making plans to move out to somewhere nice safe and better for your mental health, providing you have the funds to do so. Do you work? If not I’d suggest you start by looking for work first. Then take your freedom and leave him.

Elieza · 09/12/2020 19:16

He sooked up to her.

Stupid autocorrect

SleepingStandingUp · 09/12/2020 19:18

I'd pack a bag and leave as soon as you can. Your marriage is over of you want to walk away with any self worth left.

Lozzerbmc · 10/12/2020 07:59

Yes give up on the marriage you’ll be glad you did. He has no respect for you and as time goes on he’ll agree with his toxic mother more. Dont waste any more time with him.

ArrowsOfMistletoe · 10/12/2020 08:17

He's completely enmeshed with his mother and has never grown up. He never will. Time to go, OP. This isn't worth sticking around for.

peppermintteadrinker · 10/12/2020 08:18

Leave. Didn't get beyond first paragraph 💪

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 10/12/2020 08:24

Start planning your escape. If it can't be pre Xmas and you are sure he will actually buggar off out get yourself a bag of Xmas treats and hide them.. Enjoy your day - alone sounds a bonus imo. Seek legal advice ASAP. Him and her sound hideous..

LilyLongJohn · 10/12/2020 08:27

Do yourself a favour and tell him you wan a divorce for Christmas

Marmozet · 10/12/2020 08:27

Escape ASAP!

WiseOwlWan · 10/12/2020 08:30

Run for the hills and then stay away

These types cannot take responsibility for anything and they need somebody to blame.

IamTomHanks · 10/12/2020 08:33

Leave. Don't look back.

poked fun at the fact that I’m half Jewish. and he thinks she's a “normal, healthy mom.” WTF? She's a racist, abusive twat. Leave.

willowmelangell · 10/12/2020 08:46

Enjoy and use the silence. He can't interfere if he is studiously ignoring you.
Start packing.
I realise this is easy for me to say behind an anonymous keyboard. I am not the one facing life changing decisions. He has made it clear it is all about his mum. You are now free to make it about you. Ignore and avoid him as best you can.
I really hope you have somewhere to go and the finances to get you there.

QuietlyExcited · 10/12/2020 08:56

You're asking should you leave? Start asking why would you stay? To misquote a famous royal "there are three people in your marriage" and two of them have no respect for you.

Whydidimarryhim · 10/12/2020 09:18

Rosemary - your marriage is very toxic sadly.
You will not change this man - unless he wants too and he under goes a shed load of therapy.
His mother is a very damaged woman and her and your husband sound codependent.
Please do not stay in the problem and move to a solution.
I’d not be surprised if you had an abusive childhood? If so or even if you didn’t - if you are struggling to leave the marriage look for a counsellor.
Have you any family you can go too?
I feel for you - they are a bunch of shits and the mother is an enabler.

Dery · 10/12/2020 09:25

Yes, you should give up on this marriage. He may no longer be drinking or physically violent – at the moment – but what you’re describing is emotional and psychological violence which is also very damaging. And he could become physically violent again any time. It sounds like there is nothing worth saving here.

What do you need in order to be able to leave? Have you got somewhere you can go right away (or on Christmas Day)? Do you have access to your own money? Start planning your getaway.

Do not tell him what you are planning. He is abusive and could become dangerous to you. He may well also try to lure you back in with heartbroken claims that he will change and even with threats to kill himself (abusers are very manipulative). You’ll need to harden yourself against that. He won’t kill himself (you can send the police round to do a welfare check and that usually nips it in the bud) but he may destroy your life (figuratively or even literally) if you stay with him.

Read Lundy Bancroft “Why Does He Do That?” and Robin Norwood’s “Women Who Love Too Much” may also be of interest.

strangertimes · 10/12/2020 09:26

I’m all for trying to work things out but this is a nightmare. I’d send him one final message “I gave you a chance. This is it. This is your final chance. You tell your mother she’s not coming for Xmas or I’m filing for divorce. You can go to the apartment. I will see a solicitor and file a restraining order if not have to. You need to have a serious think. You and your mothers behaviour is out of control. If you want this marriage to survive then you need to stop right now” then mean it. Ring solicitors today

Lordamighty · 10/12/2020 09:29

You don’t need anyone’s permission to leave. He & his dreadful mother are making you unhappy. Don’t waste any more of your precious time with them.

VettiyaIruken · 10/12/2020 09:34

I'd leave.
It's not going to get better and God forbid you were to have kids! Can you imagine how awful she would be? Not to mention you'd be tied to him for years and if he's this much of a shit while you're actually in a relationship with him with no children, can you imagine how vicious he and his mum would be if you had children and left with them?

Do you want this life until you die?
If not, get out now because the longer you leave it the worse it will get.